How to Copy Data From One Hard Drive to Another

Transfering data from one hard drive to another can be done simply and without any special equipment providing that both hard drives are installed in the same computer. When the data is on separate computers, it is still a simple job, but takes a bit more effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Two Installed Working Hard Drives
• Network Cards In both computers or
• A re-writable CD Rom drive

1. Copy and paste the data files from one drive to another if both hard drives are installed on the same computer. Use 'My Computer' to locate the files on the first drive and to open and create a directory on the second.
2. Attach a 10/100/1000 LAN (Local Area Network) cord to the network cards in both computers. Copy the data files you need from one hard drive. Click on the Network Connection icon on your computer and find the second computer. Paste the data files into the directory of your choice on the second computer.
3. Burn copies of the data files on a CD. Copy and paste from the CD to the second hard drive. Be sure that after you paste to the second computer, you highlight all of the data files and click properties. Remove the ‘read only’ check mark.

Tips & Warnings

• It is generally better to copy and paste data files into a new directory. This will keep you from inadvertently over writing data with the same name.
• Programs like Norton Ghost can make an identical copy of the first hard drive onto the second provided it is installed on the same computer.
• Use a backup program to create scheduled backups for your computer.
• A second hard drive in your computer can give you extra storage for your data and also a place to send your backups.
• Always back up your data regularly. All hard drives fail at some time and lost data can be expensive to retrieve from a failed drive.