can i run old hard disk normally without losing any data?

[qatada]

Hi

i have on my desktop two hard disk when i install windows on the new hard disk then i put the old hard disk

and new hard disk too then i turn on the pc

i go to partition of windows on old hard disk and make format it and format system reserved partition

then i go to Disk Management and make delete to system reserved partition then the i restart the pc but it

don not open in any way but when i remove the old hard disk the pc open normally

i try to install windows on the old hard disk but i can not do this but in doss i show it by name and the same

size too . i try to added it by usb connection but no way success

the problem can i running the old hard disk normally without i loss any data because i had more important

data on it

if any one had any idea please help me

 

[AddRAM]

If you formatted the old drive then the data is gone.

If you just installed windows on a new drive, why did you install it again on the old drive ?

Post a shot of disk management.

 

[matts6887]

Add is right. Unless you remembered to make a backup of any important files; then the data is most likely gone because whenever you format a disk it completely wipes the disk clean in order to reinstall the operating system therefore deleting any data.

 

[gregrocker]

It sounds like when you plug in the old HD it is Primary hard drive set first to boot in BIOS. Only when you unplug it does it allow the newer HD to boot first successfully.

So boot into BIOS setup and set the new HD as Primary HD, then set that as first device to boot. Save changes and exit.

Then post a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
with both drives attached if possible, or if not then just the bootable drive.

Does your bootable flash stick work for sure to install to another PC? If not you may need to write another. If you have a UEFI BIOS it also requires using Option one of UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows and boot the stick as a UEFI device. You will know if you have a UEFI BIOS because in Disk Mgmt it will have an EFI System partition as the boot partition.

If not then you should unplug the new HD, reboot and tap the one-time BIOS Boot menu key to trigger the stick to boot, during the install delete all partitions not needed to create a new partition for install using the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7.

Let us know how this goes. Reply to each step and question given.

 

[Mark Phelps]

whenever you format a disk it completely wipes the disk clean

Actually, NO, reformatting does not "wipe" the disk. The contents are still there. If they were not, data recovery apps would never work.

To "wipe a disk clean", as in actually removing all the prior content, you have to use a utility that actually "wipes" the disk.

To the OP -- if you want to try to recover the former files and folders from the reformatted disk, try using a data recovery app like "Recuva".

 

[AddRAM]

Yep, the data just gets written over.

Partition Wizard may also work.

MiniTool Partition Manager Software for Windows PC and Server