Upgradeing to Windows 10

[Capt Zamo]

I bought a new drive and Windows 10. My plan was to install the new drive, install windows 10 on it and then remove Windows Vista from my original drive and still be able to access the files on the original drive. My plan didn't go as planned. If I connect all three drives, the computer boots to my old Vista Drive and doesn't recognize the new drive with Windows 10 on it. If I disconnect the Vista Drive, then it boots to Windows 10 but I cant just connect the Vista data cable can I? Well I tried anyway but its not recognized. How do I make the computer boot to Windows 10 and recognize the Vista Drive so I can remove Windows Vista?

 

[ArtPog]

1. You say "If I connect all three drives...". What "three" drives are you talking about? You mention the drive that contains the Vista OS and you mention the "new drive" (whatever that is!) and your plan to install the Win 10 OS on that drive. So tell us about that "third" drive...

2. Have you connected the Win 10 drive to the first SATA port (connector) on your motherboard? Always a good practice if that's the bootable drive. And have you set your BIOS boot priority order so that the Win 10 drive is first in boot priority?

3. I think you made it clear but just to confirm...if the ONLY drive connected in the system is the drive containing the Win 10 OS, the system will boot without a problem and function just fine, right?

4. If that is so, what PRECISELY happens when you connect the "Vista" drive as a secondary drive in the system and boot to the Win 10 drive? The "Vista" drive is not listed in Device Manager or Disk Management?

5. And where is that "third drive" all this time? And what does it contain?

 

[Capt Zamo]

Hi Artpog, thanks for the quick reply. In answer to your questions....
1. the third drive is listed as an Image drive, I dont know whats on it and have never accessed it. It was part of the computer when i bought it. I have the Original Vista Drive, The New Win 10 Drive and the Imagae drive. When I say I disconnect the Vista Drive, i also am disconnecting the Image drive.
2. I havent tried connecting the Win 10 Drive to the first SATA port. I will try that when I get home, I am on the road today. I just learned that moving the cable might help. As to the BIOS boot priority, I havent been able to change it as it only lists one drive. Either the Vista drive or the Win 10 drive, whichever drive is connected is the one shown. When all three are connected, it boots up to the Vista drive and doesnt recognize the Win 10 drive.
3. Yes, if the Win 10 drive is the only drive connected, it boots up just fine with no problems and I am able to use the programs installed on it.
4. When All three drives are connected, the computer boots up to the Vista drive and shows the Image drive but does not recognize the Win 10 drive. Ive looked in Disk management and device manager. It simple does not see it. Ive tried (i know its bad) to disconnect all except the Win 10 drive and boot up to it and then connect the other two drives after its booted up. It doesnt see the Vista or Image drive. I miss the old IDE way of dedicated a master drive and a slave drive...showing my age eh?

 

[ArtPog]

As long as it's feasible, connect the drive containing the Win 10 OS to the motherboard's first SATA connector (port) - usually designated SATA 0 or SATA 1)

Ensure that your BIOS priority order reflects the Win 10 drive as FIRST in boot priority order.

It would appear that the "Image" drive contains a backup image of the Vista system. Is there actually a PHYSICAL (third) drive that is installed in the PC? If so, uninstall it from the system and set it aside (for the moment).

When you say your objective is to access files on the drive containing the Vista OS you're referring to personal data files of one type or another, perhaps photos and other audio/visual files, right? You're not expecting to access (utilize) programs installed on that drive, are you?

 

[Capt Zamo]

Yes there is a physical third drive. I will disconnect it for the time being and relocate the data cables as you suggest. no I don't expect to run programs originally installed under the Vista system. Its audio, pictures and other data files that I don't want to lose or move. Once the comp is booted on the Win 10 system, and can recognize the old Vista drive, its just a matter of deleting the old Windows (Vista) folder correct? I can format the Image Drive later after I reconnect it and boot to Win 10. I should know by tomorrow night if it works, Ill let you know. Thanks in advance.

 

[Capt Zamo]

Hi Artpog, I switched the cables around and it worked like a champ. The computer is booting to the Win10 drive and recognizing the other two drives. Thank you very much!