How can I merge 2 desktop hard drives into 1?

I am curious to see if there is a way that I can merge my old desktop hard drive (640+ gb) with the new one (2tb)?

They both use the same connection, etc.

They both are being recognized by the desktop, but I am trying to see if there is some way to combine the 2?

Might be possible and an easy way of doing so, but I cant seem to locate anything.

If the 2 TB is your main one now, then install the 640 as a secondary for all the other less important programs. Call it the D or E drive.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

If the 2 TB is your main one now, then install the 640 as a secondary for all the other less important programs. Call it the D or E drive.

Yeah, I was thinking that was my only real option. Didnt think I could merge it into the main one.

Only thing that sucks about our desktop, is it has space for 2 hard drives, but only hookup on the motherboard for 1. So I unhooked the dvd drive, and plugged it into the second hard drive. We dont ever use the dvd drive anyway, so it is no big deal there.

Originally Posted by MattInTheHat

I swear I have seen 2 hard drives on one ribbon cable, but my memory isnt what it used to be, and I am no computer tech

They are both on the same power cable line, but there was only 1 slot for a hard drive, on the motherboard, so I improvised with the dvdplayer.

You might have to change out the ribbon cable for one with dual hookups. I know I've cut up bunches of them. That way just the single hookup on the MB will do. You might have to move the jumper also,,, not sure,, to make it a slave.

Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

You can copy and paste everything from the smaller one(except the system files) to the larger one. It will probably take a while.

Did all of that already. Just didnt know if I could merge them together so in "computer" it would show just 1 hard drive at 2.6tb, instead of 2 different hard drives.

Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

You can copy and paste everything from the smaller one(except the system files) to the larger one. It will probably take a while.

Yea, can't you drag and drop if you open both folders up??

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

You might have to change out the ribbon cable for one with dual hookups. I know I've cut up bunches of them. That way just the single hookup on the MB will do. You might have to move the jumper also,,, not sure,, to make it a slave.

Yeah, I think I have one, in one of the desktops I got laying around. Will be searching tomorrow. Got to break everything down, to prepare for the big event on the 1st.

Where did you find a 2TB IDE drive? I am guessing these are sata drives. There is a way to merge them GEO but you wouldnt want to do it. You could run them as an array but you would loose 1.4tb of space on the larger drive unless you partitioned it into 3 drives. This wouldnt be practical either. It can be done but I wouldnt suggest it and it would take way more know how then I can teach you over text chat.

Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

Where did you find a 2TB IDE drive? I am guessing these are sata drives. There is a way to merge them GEO but you wouldnt want to do it. You could run them as an array but you would loose 1.4tb of space on the larger drive unless you partitioned it into 3 drives. This wouldnt be practical either. It can be done but I wouldnt suggest it and it would take way more know how then I can teach you over text chat.

It came from my last ewaste pickup. Your right, it is sata

Just buy one of these GEO if you dont have enuff sata ports on your motherboard.
Add 4 SATA Hard Disk Drives to PC Serial ATA PCI Controller Card Softwareraid | eBay

Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

Just buy one of these GEO if you dont have enuff sata ports on your motherboard.
Add 4 SATA Hard Disk Drives to PC Serial ATA PCI Controller Card Softwareraid | eBay

Thank PTS. Didnt know I could do something like that. Would need to check my motherboard first to ensure I can add that card.

That is one way to skin a cat.

Originally Posted by NewbyScrapper

If it was my setup, I'd leave the Operating System (OS) on the smaller HD and use the TB for data storage/backup.
HDs can get 'pooched' in a flash,(Murphy's Law), so any VERY important data should also be copied to DVDs, as additional backup.

I am not anywhere near as computer tech savvy as most others on here. We all know that by now lol.

However, I know enough to get by for the most part. My 600+gb hard drive will be used for storing certain things. I used password protected folders on my server to hold certain stuff, and then I use a few sizeable thumb drives to store other stuff as well.

I wanted to do this when this thread first started(im always wanting to play)but I didn't want to ruin his chance of getting a honest answer. but as soon as I read the title to the thread this is what popped into my mind and since he has some good answers this is the way I would merge two hardrives