Well, I got a new HDD and installed W7 in my desktop. After reinstalling programs etc. and copying data I decided to leave the old XP drive in for a couple of weeks in case I had forgotten something. All now seems to be well with the functioning of W7 and I appear to have got everything in its proper place on the new HDD. The old XP one is causing me little problems and is responsible for various warnings and error messages so now I want to clean up. Is it sufficient just to remove the little power connector on the old drive, leaving the drive in place and the big ribbon connector still connected? That's easier and the drive won't get lost or fall into the hands of the Philistines. Will that simple action be enough to prevent it causing problems, please?