Windows 7 - Ide/Sata usb adapter

I am trying to use a usb adapter to move files off my old hard drive (ide) onto my new system (sata). It does not show up in windows explorer but does in disk management. It wants to initialize the drive which brings me to the question of whether or not that will erase my files on old drive which I am trying to access. I have read thru several forums and have seen some yes some no answers, at this point I am totally confused, I can not afford to lose the files on the old drive. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Old drive (with data) is initialized (what OS?) and so should not be or you will lose the data. New drive (empty) may need to be initialized before use.


Ken

Make sure the drive has a letter. Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove in Windows 7

Old drive has XP on it new drive has Windows 7. It is wanting to initialize my old one.

It won't let me assign a drive letter, just wants to initilize the drive.

Initializing the drive may or may not wipe the data but it'll definitely make it much more harder to locate. What data are you trying to transfer/ save? If it is docs, music, video or pictures, I would suggest backing up manually to external media. Then, if you wish, you can restore it to the new drive. Might be more tedious and take longer, but could save you a headache later.

Yes those are the types of files I am wanting to transfer. I am sorry for not being clearer in what I am doing/using. I have the old drive (xp) with all my files on it which I am trying to connect to my new system which is running windows 7 via a ide/sata usb adapter. I do not know of a way to back up these files manually as my old system gave up the ghost so I have no other way to access it's hard drive except thru this adapter. If you have any suggestions I am open to them.