Question about adding internal HD

I'm getting ready to switch my desktop PC from XP to Windows 7. I've been using removable media for backup, but in order to facilitate cleaning the C: drive for the upgrade, I'm considering buying a second internal hard drive as a backup drive.

What I had in mind was to install the second hard drive, copy everything I want to keep on it, then wipe and install the new OS on the original drive. Is that a feasible option? I want to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises, like Win 7 not reading docs on a hard drive created with XP.

If it would work, is there anything I should look out for when selecting or installing an additional internal drive? I'm not a hardware expert as you can tell, but I have installed memory, graphic cards, and a power supply before.

My case is a mid-tower with 4 internal drive bays, and only one is currently being used. Anything else I need to consider before buying?

The only other issue you need to consider is power - adding another drive WILL add to the load on the power supply. It won't be as much as a beefier graphics card, but you should still factor this in.

If your system is just skating by right now with 1 HD, your graphics card, an optical disk reader, and the mobo, then you might consider upgrading that, as well. If you're not coming close to your PS peak wattage, and aren't going to overload the +12V rail that powers drives and such, you're good.

If you're going to add a second drive, why not do the install of win7 directly to it? Copy over what you want so far as data files go and reiinstall everything else. Then you could feasibly dual boot between the two as necessary (although technically, the the os license you upgraded from should no longer be used) -- at the very least, you can revert to XP very quickly if things aren't working.

If you have the specs of all those devices, add up the wattage for each.

Off the top of my head, 500W should be enough for all of that, BUT... if you need to 'trade something out' I'd consider losing the second DVD drive (if one's a writer, keep it, and lose the read-only).

The PS you're using has two +12V rails, so as long as you don't connect everything to the same rail, you should be OK. Traditionally power supply wiring harnesses will separate the 12V rails into two accessory harnesses, altho' I have seen some, inc. my Antec Earthpower, that splits out the SATA power taps from the standard Molex taps (used on IDE devices such as IDE drives and optical disc readers).

NZXT PF-500
Intel ATX 12V 2.0 specification supports dual core CPU
Two separate +12V rails provide stable current to CPU, GPU, MB and drives
120mm low-noise cooling fan for efficient heat dissipation
1 x 20+4pin Main ATX connector
1 x PCI-Express connector
1 x P4 Mainboard, 2 x Floppy connectors
4 x SATA , 6 x Peripheral connectors
On/Off switch button
Comes with power cord (OEM package)
+3.3V=34A, +5V=40A, +12V1=16A, +12V2=17A

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the information. Though I may be back when I have the drive in hand for some last-minute installation support--I've never installed a hard drive before.

Speaking of which, I'm guessing that if I buy a 'bare bones' drive from NewEgg I'll also need installation brackets. Is there anything else I'll need?

I'll take a peek inside the case before I order, but it sounds like I will need to get a SATA cable.

Thanks again!

This is assuming that you are buying a SATA drive, of course.


If it's an IDE drive (or Enhanced or Ultra IDE) you will need to connect it via an IDE ribbon cable. This is a BIT more fiddly, because you either have to route a second ribbon cable to the secondary IDE connector on the motherboard, OR attach the secondary IDE connector on the existing cable to the drive. And yes, the cable connectors have to be oriented properly and it's not as obvious as the SATA cables are.

If that's what you're up against, I'd spend a few bucks for a six-pack of beer, that you would then use to persuade a hardware geek friend of yours to perform the installation.

Mounting the drive in the computer case (chassis) is pretty much the same for any type of drive.

You might need to get an electronics repair "grab" tool, which basically is a hypodermic needle looking thing with a set of three metal 'claws' at the pointy end - when you press the plunger, the claws relax and spread out, let the plunger go and they contract into the tool, grabbing the small part between them. This will allow you to hold the screw steady with one hand while you get it started with the other hand. These tools are fairly cheap (price and worksmanship) but will save you quite a bit of frustration if you drop a screw into the case and then have to retrieve it.

Definitely a SATA drive, so that should simplify things.

And yes, I have dropped a teeny-tiny screw into the guts of the computer before and know what a PITA it is, so I'll look at the tool kits, too.

Thanks!

The only other thing really to be careful of is don't use any extra long screws to fix the drive in - the shank should be no longer than about 3/8" long and if they don't screw in easily you either have the wrong type of screw or you've crossthreaded it - don't force it.