Question Help! Moved my HDD to a New PC and Now It Shows Old Files and Extra Partitions.

[idk333]

Hello everyone! I'm new here

I recently upgraded to a new computer setup, and I’m experiencing a strange issue with my HDD. Here’s the full breakdown of what happened:

1. Old Setup: I had a PC with an SSD as the main drive (where Windows was installed) and an HDD used for storing important files.
2. Before Switching PCs: To prepare for the move, I transferred all my important files to the HDD, then I formatted the SSD completely.
3. New Setup: I installed Windows on the same SSD in my new computer, then connected the HDD, expecting to access my files as usual.
4. The Problem: When I accessed the HDD on my new PC, the folder structure looked completely different. I noticed extra partitions that weren’t there before, and some files seem to date back to 2018. Also, the used storage space on the HDD doesn’t seem to match up with what I remember.

I’m not sure if this is due to partition corruption, hidden files, or some kind of compatibility issue with the new PC. Any advice on how to access the recent files and get my HDD back to normal would be greatly appreciated!

Really thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Lafong]

1. Old Setup: I had a PC with an SSD as the main drive (where Windows was installed) and an HDD used for storing important files.
2. Before Switching PCs: To prepare for the move, I transferred all my important files to the HDD, then I formatted the SSD completely.

Can you clarify?

Step 1 above says the HDD held "important files".

Step 2 says you then "transferred all my important files" to the HDD.

Doesn't step 2 represent a duplication of files that were already on the HDD per step 1?

How did you "transfer" these files? Drag and drop certain folders? You refer to extra partitions....did you use an imaging application to copy partitions?

Did you do a clean install to this new SSD?

Was the HDD connected when you installed Windows to the SSD?

 

[rgd1101]

did you check your files after #2? sound like you didn't copy

 

[idk333]

¿Puedes aclararlo?

El paso 1 anterior dice que el disco duro contenía "archivos importantes".

El paso 2 dice que luego "transfirió todos mis archivos importantes" al disco duro.

¿El paso 2 no representa una duplicación de archivos que ya estaban en el disco duro en el paso 1?

¿Cómo "transfirió" estos archivos? ¿Arrastró y soltó determinadas carpetas? Se refiere a particiones adicionales... ¿Utilizó una aplicación de imágenes para copiar particiones?

¿Hiciste una instalación limpia de este nuevo SSD?

¿Estaba el HDD conectado al SSD cuando instalaste Windows?

Can you clarify?

Step 1 above says the HDD held "important files".

Step 2 says you then "transferred all my important files" to the HDD.

Doesn't step 2 represent a duplication of files that were already on the HDD per step 1?

How did you "transfer" these files? Drag and drop certain folders? You refer to extra partitions....did you use an imaging application to copy partitions?

Did you do a clean install to this new SSD?

Was the HDD connected when you installed Windows to the SSD?

Hello!
First of all, thanks for the response.
About point 1 and 2, I had audio tracks and projects that I stored on the HDD, but before installing Windows, I copied the Downloads, Images, and plugins files with specific versions to that disk organized by folders. They were not duplicate files, but I finished sending EVERYTHING there.
The HDD disk had a single partition.
Move the SSD to my new computer, format it, and install Windows (all with the HDD disconnected so this doesn't happen)
Once Windows is installed, turn off the PC and insert the HDD. To my surprise, the disk now has two partitions, both with old files (between 2014 and 2018), nothing, absolutely nothing, later.
It seems to have returned to a version of that time. Seeing how unusual the situation was, I disconnected the disk without writing anything inside so as not to put the information at risk. What I find particularly strange are the partitions. Before, a 1tb with my files Now 2, one of 300gb and another of 700gb with old files Thank you very much again, I really appreciate the help.
I had work to deliver, my own projects, and very valuable images of my family.
Regards!

 

[USAFRet]

Screencap of your Disk Management window, please.

 

[idk333]

Screencap of your Disk Management window, please.

I'm not at home now but when I get back I'll send it. However, I checked it, the disxo has all its capacity assigned to the two partitions, there is nothing on the outside. Thanks for the response, it is appreciated

 

[USAFRet]

And....this whole thing sounds like you only have a single copy of this data...no actual backup.

For future reference, don't do that.

 

[idk333]

Lo pensé, pero en este caso debería ser antes de ese paso. Todos mis archivos ahora son entre 2014 y 2018, además de las dos patriaciones cuando antes solo tenía una. Gracias por el tip, lo tendré en cuenta de todas formas.

I thought about it, but in this case, it should be before that step. All my files now are between 2014 and 2018, in addition to the two patritions when before I only had one Thanks for the tip, I'll take it into account anyway.

 

[idk333]

Y... todo esto suena como si sólo tuvieras una única copia de estos datos... sin ninguna copia de seguridad real.

Para futuras referencias, no hagas e

And....this whole thing sounds like you only have a single copy of this data...no actual backup.

For future reference, don't do that.

Yes, I know, that is clearly my biggest mistake. I am a computer technician, knowing that it is unforgivable, not thinking that these things can happen to you plays tricks.
Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, I know, that is clearly my biggest mistake. I am a computer technician, knowing that it is unforgivable, not thinking that these things can happen to you plays tricks.
Thanks

We've all lost data.

Smart people don't let it happen twice.

Really smart people take advice from others, and don't let it happen the first time.

 

[idk333]

We've all lost data.

Smart people don't let it happen twice.

Really smart people take advice from others, and don't let it happen the first time.

I clearly take your advice, I hope that by not having written anything on the disk after this, I can send it to a data recovery laboratory. Unfortunately it is very expensive and I am not sure I will be able to recover it, but there is no other choice but to try. Thanks for time