BleepingComputer.com: Drives can't be accessed

Tried the sufggestion on there of removing some files from the directory to correct drive access problems but it had no effect.

My intention now is to remove my old hard drive, then insert a new one and some more RAM, then re-install XP Pro and the programmes back onto my system.

I hope that this will get rid of the problems I'm having with drives not accesing properly, general clutter from old programmes and will sort out my internet explorer problems.
It will be nice to start a fresh with a virus free computer.

I intend to then place the old hard drive as a slave so that I can then transfer my work, pictures and music from it too the new drive. Then format the old one and just use it as backup.

Is all of this possible and how easy would it be.

Dan

What is the new one going to be? What is the drive you have now?

Thats not hard to do at all. Set two jumpers, plug them in and go into the bios to make sure they are recognized. I would partition the new drive first. Boot with the cd and install XP on the new one.

I'm going to get a Western Digital 80Gb 8mb cache drive (£38.47).

The one I have now is an Excelstor Technology ES3220, it's only 20Gb and it's nearly full.

Jumpers?

What is partitioning and how would I do it?

Dan

Hard drives have jumpers on them so you can put two on the same ribbon cable. You would set them with the new one to master and the old one to slave. Read this about master/slave and this about setting jumpers. Read the assembly section in those links about installing the hard drive.

What I would do is partition the new drive. When you do that you fool windows into thinking its two separate drives. I would put XP on the first partition with the program files. The rest of the drive would be storage and if you need to reprogram XP again you would only format the part with XP on it so the rest of your stuff is left alone. Look at this page near figure 6 and 7. You can make the partitions when you install XP.

In most cases you'll want to use NTFS. It's far more secure than FAT32 and supports permissions, encryption, and compression.

Would you agree with this reconendation as I'm running FAT32 at the moment. So don't really have any experience of NTFS. Will I notice a difference?

All the partitioning seems straight forward, if I allocate 20Gb for prgrammes and then the rest for documents, pictures and music etc.

Dan

If you are running Fat32 now and you go to NTFS on the new drive you won't be able to see the old drive when you boot with the new drive. You won't notice any difference between them.

You can make the C: partition anywhere from 5GB on up. That would be plenty for XP and program files.

When I access the second drive what will happen as all of the windows files will still be on there?

Will it just appear as it does now if I go into it from my computer?

Would it be easier to format the old drive and then it will be clean and I can then install NTFS onto it aswell?

I really want to clear the old hard drive to get rid of any problems of viruses which it may be harbouring.

How would I format the drive to clear it completely before or after I re-install my new hardware?

I ordered a new Western Digital HD and 256Mb more RAM.

Should I insert the new RAM chip before or after the new hard drive?

Dan

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Yes if the new drive is Fat32.

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Doesn't really matter when you format it. If I was doing it I would wait until the new OS was installed so you can boot from it if needed.

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Cool. Put it in first. It will help make the install of XP go faster and XP will know about it.

Hi Guys,

I have been reading the lasty 4 pages, as I was looking for a solution which seems to be the same as the one Rastamandan has.
As I happen to know something about computers (Well, at least it seems that my friends keep coming to me with problems ), I think you are on the wrong track.
Let me explain:
I am working with a PIV 1.2Ghz, 512Mb Ram + 1 DVD writer and 1 DVD reader.
Since some days, I have the same problem as Rastamandan. When I boot my PC with a disk in one of the drives, XP recognises it. But when I remove it and place an other cd, it seems as if the explorer does not see the new disk, and gives me the message; " Please insert a new disk into drive ...".
As I am working with my pc a lot, this seemed very strange, so I looked a bit deeper. With ANY programm accessing the drives without using the standard XP drivers/dll's (for example Nero burning rom,...), you can see the exact disk info, and even copy it or copy an image! I have been doing some tests and I am sure it is a Windows related problem. The only things I recently changed are the install of (bloody) service pack 2, and the removal of CloneCD. I think it might be related to the last one, as CloneCD uses other ASPI drivers. I will keep looking and let you know what I found.
Val

Hi vasch and welcome to BC. Thanks for posting.

You may be right.

I have a confession to make and if I get enough PM's I might make it.


Cozy up to Dan and help him install XP ok?

Hello Vasch

I found while looking at a link from Leurgy a while back.

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tips_fixes.htm

Here there is a fix for the problem I seem to be experiencing as do you. Tried the fix it suggests but no luck.

Hopefully a new system install should get rid of any problems I'm having now and also clear my computer of all the old programmes I never use.

Thanks for all the help Leurgy, can't thank you enough for your time. Should be ok from here on in.

Dan

Thats great Dan but don't stop posting now. A lot of people are watching this thread and you need to let us know how it goes.

Hi there,

a long night again yesterday.. some friends having problems with the install of software, which did not give me a lot of time to check things out.
Anyway, the link to http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tips_fixes.htm seems a move in to the right direction.
Well, I don't use adaptec, but the problem seems to be related.
I have re-installed XP SP2 (and yes, I disabled the firewall ), and want to see what it does first.
Unfortunately I am one of those guys that can't afford a full re-install, nor removing programs, as I need these on a daily base.
The truth is out there!

Val

ps yes Dan, keep posting!

It like the Truman Show, everyone wanting to tune in and see how my day has gone with my PC.

I'll keep you all informed.

Think I'll go with the Fat32 install as this should help me access my old drive easier.

The question is, will the drives allow access.

I'll try them at various stages throughout my new install to see if they do begin to fail as I install SP2.



Dan

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Access won't be a problem at all. I have three hard drives and two of them are partitioned so my CD drive is G:.

The Truman show? As long as it doesn't turn out like Groundhog Day.