subdismal

Alright, I've never done this before, so I wanted to consult with the pimps here (like usual; damn, I bet you all are sick of me, haha). Anyway, here's the deal:

I recently had a virus or something rip through my primary HD where my OS was installed, right? Well, I moved my OS to a small hard drive by re-installing it there, and set the 120GB (the former OS one) to slave, so I could still get to My Music and things like that. Well, now that I have all my Windows stuff on this primary hard drive, I'd like to use the 120GB for just storage of things like music, videos, etc. and put all the software on the OS hard drive.

Anyway, the question boils down to something simpler. Can I manually delete a bunch of folders, including the Windows folder, and everything but the stuff in the Documents and Settings folder? The reason I'm asking is because I'm not sure if these music files and such have some sort of handle to the former operating system, and I can only access them now because the OS is still there.

I know this may sound confusing, but if you get it, and have a solution, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, just say something and I'll try to clarify things more.

aaronrkelly

What is the file formats - should be no reason to go to all that troulbe....save the data, format the drive and moive it back. This way your SURE your free from the virii. I have never encountered any files that were "tied" to the OS when re-installing others PCs. However I dont know much about DRM and music files as I have all mp3s.

subdismal

Quote: Originally Posted by aaronrkelly What is the file formats - should be no reason to go to all that troulbe....save the data, format the drive and moive it back. This way your SURE your free from the virii. I have never encountered any files that were "tied" to the OS when re-installing others PCs. However I dont know much about DRM and music files as I have all mp3s.

The thing is, I can't back up the files.

My new primary hard drive (where the operating system now resides) is only 8GB. My MP3 folder alone is like 20 gigs. Not to mention all the random videos and stuff I have saved. It's just not possible. I'm pretty sure the only options are to either completely format the hard drive and erase everything (which is out of the question because of all the stuff I still want to save) or delete random folders such as the Windows folder, program files, and everything else.

Fatsobob

You need to burn quite a few cds/dvds.
It does eventually end in reformattting, you just need to find alternative ways of temp storage.

subdismal

Quote: Originally Posted by fatsobob You need to burn quite a few cds/dvds. It does eventually end in reformattting, you just need to find alternative ways of temp storage.

So there is absolutely no way just to delete specific folders and such? I'm trying to avoid having to pay for another hard drive to store things on. >.<

Fatsobob

You could ask a friend to loan you a hard drive for temp storage.

stereomod

hey suddismal bud, there is one option that im surprised hasn't been mentioned!

Setup another partition on the hdd and dump all ur shiat onto the partitioned space!

anyone else concur?


BTW gimpy rocks! heh starwars and pie! long live g-prime!

aaronrkelly

Quote: Originally Posted by stereomod hey suddismal bud, there is one option that im surprised hasn't been mentioned! Setup another partition on the hdd and dump all ur shiat onto the partitioned space! anyone else concur? BTW gimpy rocks! heh starwars and pie! long live g-prime!

Well nice idea except creating a partition via conventional methods required you to hose the hard drive and start over......unconventional methods required specialized software (ala Partion Magic). The only time I used that it hosed my whole friggin boot drive.......I cussed my laziness for 2 days straight. Because I was taking the easy way out I didnt bother to backup. If your going to do this I suggest backing your hard drive up first.....oh wait, that puts you exactly back where you are now - looking for larger temp storage.

Go ahead and delete the files you want to - I think it will work. I dont like to play risky games like that with my data but thats just me - it really should be fine. I dont like to cheese things, usually comes back to bite you in the ass later.........I still suggest moving data off, format drive and then setup just for data - aka dont install Windows on the drive.

Also since no one mentioned it I might as well - by making an old POS 8 GB hard drive your boot drive you probably have substantially decreased the performance of your rig. Chances are your 8 gb drive is 5400 rpm vs the 7200 rpm your 120 gb drive might be (just guessing). Also cache size, normal wear and tear etc.......if your going to leave it like this I suggest making sure Windows is using the 120 gb drive for the swap file.

I would go this route in your situation......back up your data (you should do this anyways)

Take the 8 gb drive and save it for future use (maybe to toss a linux rig together or for folding) or use it for target practice - whatever floats your boat

Then toss XP cd in and hose the partition on the 120 gb drive - setup something like a 20 gb partition for boot and software and then the 100 gb for data, install XP and be done with it (adjust sizes accordingly, these are just a suggestion)

That hard drive is sucking up more juice then its doing you any good - put it in perspective....half your friggin music collection wouldnt even fit on the damn thing.....its just wasting space in your PC.

subdismal

Quote: Originally Posted by aaronrkelly Well nice idea except creating a partition via conventional methods required you to hose the hard drive and start over......unconventional methods required specialized software (ala Partion Magic). The only time I used that it hosed my whole friggin boot drive.......I cussed my laziness for 2 days straight. Because I was taking the easy way out I didnt bother to backup. If your going to do this I suggest backing your hard drive up first.....oh wait, that puts you exactly back where you are now - looking for larger temp storage. Go ahead and delete the files you want to - I think it will work. I dont like to play risky games like that with my data but thats just me - it really should be fine. I dont like to cheese things, usually comes back to bite you in the ass later.........I still suggest moving data off, format drive and then setup just for data - aka dont install Windows on the drive. Also since no one mentioned it I might as well - by making an old POS 8 GB hard drive your boot drive you probably have substantially decreased the performance of your rig. Chances are your 8 gb drive is 5400 rpm vs the 7200 rpm your 120 gb drive might be (just guessing). Also cache size, normal wear and tear etc.......if your going to leave it like this I suggest making sure Windows is using the 120 gb drive for the swap file. I would go this route in your situation......back up your data (you should do this anyways) Take the 8 gb drive and save it for future use (maybe to toss a linux rig together or for folding) or use it for target practice - whatever floats your boat Then toss XP cd in and hose the partition on the 120 gb drive - setup something like a 20 gb partition for boot and software and then the 100 gb for data, install XP and be done with it (adjust sizes accordingly, these are just a suggestion) That hard drive is sucking up more juice then its doing you any good - put it in perspective....half your friggin music collection wouldnt even fit on the damn thing.....its just wasting space in your PC.

Thanks for all the advice. I guess waiting it out until I can get another drive would be so bad, huh? I have noticed the ol' Seagate has thrown me back a little, but nothing I'm really worried about. Setting up the 20gb / 100gb partitions for boot and storage is a damned fine idea and reppage for you for helping me out the way you have.

I only a couple friends, haha. One of them used to be into the computer scene, but got his license, a girlfriend, and everything went downhill. What a waste! I'm the 'computer guy' to my friends and family, and I get at least one call a day from someone wanting me to help them with either hardware or software stuff. Kind of gets stressful. Needless to say, I don't have anyone to borrow an extra hard drive from. I'm trying to find a full-time job right now, so needless to say I can't just go out and buy something. I'll need to do it as soon as possible, though. I'll just use it for back-up right now and then use it as a primary hard drive in my next rig. Sounds good, and thank you guys for the help.

I guess I'm blabbering. Synopsis: I've cleaned all the virii, I'll just access my stuff that I need from the other drive, and when I have the ability to purchase another drive, I'll back-up there and format this with yet another fresh install. Everything will turn out fine, I'm sure.

Thanks for everything!

aaronrkelly

Good luck with finding the job and remember to watch the rebates........