install second hard drive hot?


  1. Posts : 331
    windows 10
       #1

    install second hard drive hot?


    Hi All,
    I was under the impression that I was going to have a hard drive failure and purchased a new hard drive and cloned windows to it. it turned out my drive is fine, so I would like to use the drive as a second drive in my system.
    if I just plug it in, will my computer boot from the now C: drive or will it boot from the second drive, since it is a bootable drive?
    Or can I plug it in after it booted up?
    it is installed and the power is connected, but the data cable is not.
    I gave my C: drive a name so I can find it in file manager and don't format the wrong drive when I plug in the second drive.

    Thanks
    Sven
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 151
    Windows 10
       #2

    Hi,
    For convenience, plug the new drive data cable into port 1 (priority) and the other drive into other port i.e. port 2 ( assuming SATA drives). You need to access BIOS and change the drive priority and put the new drive on top of the list. It'll boot the first one. For example:

    install second hard drive hot?-bios0.jpg
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 331
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Private,
    I don't recall seeing this in my BIOS, but I will look again.
    there must be a way to set the boot priority in my system.
    Thanks
    Sven
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #4

    The first splash screen usually tells you which function key will get you to the boot priority.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 331
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    whs,

    Thanks, I forgot about that, because I usually turn it on and walk away to do other stuff.

    This time I watch it boot.
    Thanks
    Sven
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #6

    No problem. Any time.
      My Computer


 

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