reinstall XP with 2nd hard drive (Windows XP SP1)

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Hi. My apologies if this is a dumb question. I want to reinstall Windows. After 2 1/2 years, it’s just time. The thing is, a little while ago I added a 2nd hard drive. It’s just for data storage, mostly large audio files (I’m a musician…) Anyway, I’d like to reinstall/reformat the OS and program drive, without affecting anything on the data (2nd) drive. Maybe this is the way it normally works, maybe not- I’ve read lots of information online about reinstalling, but this isn’t explicitly addressed. Any special steps I should take to keep my data safe on that 2nd drive? The computer is a Dell Dimension 8200 and I would be reinstalling from the OEM disc.

Thanks very much,
Brent Nussey

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Hi Brent,

You should have no problem simply reformatting and reinstalling the OS on the old drive. Your applications will have to be reinstalled as well, but unless you specifically instruct the setup routines to install your applications elsewhere, they too will be installed to the C: drive. Obviously once you are up and running again, you will have to tell your applications to look on the second drive for the data files. Good luck.

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Thanks John.

I’ll let you (and anyone else with the same question later) know how it went when I get it done early next week…

Brent

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Hi Brent,

Hope all goes well. If you’re at all paranoid about this procedure, you could also simply physically unplug the second drive before taking the big plunge. While it’s not necessary, it would eliminate any possibility of installing anything to the wrong drive.

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