Cleaning out an old HD

[Ziz]

OK, I hooked up my HD from my old machine via one of those external drive boxes & USB port.

Now, the drive still has Windows, Program Files, the startup files and obviously tons of data (graphics, videos, music, etc) on it. I'd like to just delete what I don't need and keep the data in place, rather than copying down 40G of data, reformatting and copying it back.

Aside from Windows and Program Files directories, what can I safely delete from the root directory...or, if it's easier to answer the reverse, what absolutely HAS to stay?

This is a WD 80G IDE, with Win98, if that helps determine what root files exist.

[BipolarBill]

Keep My Documents. Everything else can go.

[G]

I would backup your important data.

Then full NTFS format and installing a fresh copy of Windows. Start over is the best option.

My Documents is one to backup but also your favourites whether from IE, FF, or Opera that are not in MD.

Ensure that such information is backed up to.

If you need a backup solution that can do all this and more post back.

[Sterling_Aug]

You did not read the original post G:

He only wants to copy off his data files and then use the hard drive for backup uses.

He said nothing about reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows.

[G]

Ok but he could do with the backup solution I would recommend to make life easier.

Moreover, if he does not have a backup solution, he needs one.

[Sterling_Aug]

I agree, that is why I said to buy an external hard drive enclosure to use as a backup device.

[G]

Let’s hope he gets a backup solution. Too many posts on Sysopt.com end in tears as data is lost and no backup was available.

It needn’t cost much. All are in the price range of members on Sysopt.com.

So, except for extreme cases, and many of these can be eliminated with a UPS and surge protector, data should be something that should have been part of a normal setup just live AV, malware and firewall protection.

Get these right and then the non-savvy user can just use and enjoy their computer.

Most users know what they have to do. But it comes down to "I will do it later and buy and backup program, I want this GPU first and I having too much fun."

We can mention this time and time again to no avail. Some listen and this is good.

[Ziz]

Ok, part of the reason I want to clean out this drive is because it's going to function partially AS my backup. Some of the existing data has already been copied over to my new main HD, some hasn't, but there's not enough room left on the new drive to keep everything I need to keep from the old one, so I'm trying to avoid having to kill a stack of discs for what essentially amounts to a one-time process.

To use it as a slave drive, do I still need anything in the root directory like MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS and that stuff? I know Autoexec and Config files can go, but what about the other ones?

[Sterling_Aug]

There is no reason to keep anything in the root of the drive.

I usually only keep one folder called Downloads.

[Ziz]

So, if I'm using it as a data drive, I can delete EVERYTHING from the root - SYS files, hidden files, the whole schmeer? It doesn't need ANYTHING for the machine to recognize that it's there?

[Sterling_Aug]

Correct. You can format the drive after you copy your data then leave the drive empty for future use. Windows will assign a drive letter and install a recycle bin, but that is all that will be on the drive.

[Ziz]

Ok. Anything else critical should be in Windows/Application Data, right, like emails, certain program configs, etc?

[BipolarBill]

Why would it be critical? You already have a new operating system.

Get on with it.

[Sterling_Aug]

One never knows for sure. Program config details have nothing to do with what you are doing. You can't transfer programs from one drive to another unless you do a full drive "clone" using a program such as Symantec Ghost (among others).

As far as emails, it depends on what program you use. You should be able to export the data file or at least find the file (such as a *.pst) and copy that to the new drive after you install the email client program.