Transfer data or contents from one IDE hard disk to another IDE hard disk (Part 1)

If you want to transfer large data or content from one hard disk to another hard disk, it just simply cannot be done by connecting two hard disk and switching on the system. Here is the procedure to copy data from hard disk to hard disk without any hassle.

Always remember whenever you want to copy from hard disk to hard disk, one hard disk must be MASTER and another hard disk must be SLAVE provided if you are connecting both hard disk to a single IDE data cable. If you are connecting two hard disk using two IDE data cables, then no need to make either of the hard disk as MASTER or SLAVE.

PROCEDURE IF YOU ARE CONNECTING TWO HARD DISK DRIVES USING SINGLE IDE DATA CABLE

In SEAGATE brand hard disk there is a jumper pin setting space between the IDE data cable slot where you fix the data cable to hard disk and power slot where you fix the power cable which comes from SMPS (power supply) as shown in the image below

Click here to see the purpose of using a jumper.

By default when you purchase a new hard disk the jumper pin is set to MASTER. To make the hard disk SLAVE remove the jumper pin (In Seagate Hard Disk Drive). Removing the jumper pin makes the hard disk to act as SLAVE.

All the hard disk manufacturers have a jumper pin settings diagram pasted on the hard disk as shown below.

After making sure that one hard disk is master and the other is slave, connect both hard disks as shown below.

Now you should be able to see the drives of both hard disk drives when you switch on the system.

The IDE data cable comes with two and three slots. You need to use three slots IDE cable if you are connecting two hard disk using only one IDE data cable. Out of three slots first slot should be connected to MOTHERBOARD also called as MAIN BOARD and the second free slot should be connected to MASTER hard disk drive and the third free slot has to be connect to SLAVE hard disk drive.

There are chances when two hard disk are connected to a single IDE data cable, sometimes the SLAVE or MASTER hard disk will not be detected. In that case you have to connect both hard disk with individual IDE data cables ie, one ide data cable for MASTER hard disk drive and another IDE data cable for SLAVE hard disk drive.

Note:
(1) Jumper pin settings vary depending on the brand of the hard disk manufacturer.
(2) This method is not required if both hard disk drives are of SATA type. For SATA type hard disk drive, simply connect both hard disk drives to the mother board using individual SATA data cables. After connecting properly you should be able to see both hard disk drives when your windows boots up.