HDD Failed SSD Fine

[MethNipple]

Well, last night my HDD finally failed, and now D drive isn't even there.

So, if I get a new hard drive, do I have to format my SSD as well and reinstall windows on it?

Or can I just plug in a new hard drive and keep using my SSD like normal. Are there any windows files that would have been on both drives?

Is there anything I'm missing? Sorry if this isn't the most detailed post, I'm doing this quick in the morning because I want to buy an HDD today.

Thanks!

 

[gaborbarla]

You can just plug in the new drive and dont have to reinstall windows. Presuming that your windows was on your SSD to start with.

Of course you will lose all files on the HDD. Normally no Windows files are on your second drive unless you specifically instructed windows to install certain parts of the OS and programs on that drive.
Gabor

 

[envy14tpe]

What did you have on the HDD? If you just used t for storage then it is simply a case of plug the new one in and keep going.

 

[MethNipple]

Ok I'll try that. So basically I'll lose my game, music etc... But my SSD with windows will be fine, so my PC will be fine and the D drive will act like a big USB?

 

[envy14tpe]

Ok I'll try that. So basically I'll lose my game, music etc... But my SSD with windows will be fine, so my PC will be fine and the D drive will act like a big USB?

Yeah, game is lost. Unless you are willing to pay for a company to try to salvage it. This could be good lesson. Always back up HDDs or anything important. HDDs will eventually fail.

Plugging in new HDD will be like adding something as easy as a big USB but using SATA for speed.

 

[MethNipple]

Well, my OS, some programs like iTunes, Skype, Steam and Battlefield 4 are on my SSD.

My HDD was things like steam games, LoL, music, pictures, videos etc...

So for things like Steam, the Steam app itself is on my SSD , but the games on it were on my HDD.

Does that matter? Will I simply be able to add a new HDD and the two drives will continue working together in things like that? Or will everything be corrupt, and should I just format the SSD and reinstall windows on it?

 

[envy14tpe]

Adding a new HDD will allow for things to work smoothly. If you had the application on the SSD and game save on HDD then it might be a reinstall but since what is done is done. You can try to get a shop to salvage it or just buy a new HDD and start over fresh.

You do not need to reformat the SSD. The SSD is fine, just some links might be broken. Don't reinstall OS.

 

[gaborbarla]

If your PC is still working without your HDD, then you should not have to worry and adding a new hard drive will just create a new drive on your PC.
You will probably have to format the HDD when you booted up into windows and you will have nothing on it.