I have an older dell running XP that has a noisey drive and locks up after 30 minutes. I'd like to replace the drive and I don't really care to recover anything other than the OS.
Do I need to create a startup disc? What else???
Anyone here care to walk me thru this process?

1. Install the new HD
2. Go to start>settings>control panel>administrative tools>computer management
3. Single click on "disk management"
4. Scroll down the list at the bottom right and find your new HD.
5. Rt click on it and there should be a choice for "initialize"
6. Do this or, if it pops up the "new disk wizard", follow those instructions.
7. Choose "NFTS" for the file system when prompted.

This will get your new HD ready to go. You can download a trial copy of Acronis True image and that will let you transfer your system to the new HD.

Report back when the new HD is installed and ready for the transfer and we can go from there.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

How do I get the OS to the new drive?

I have the exact same issue with a Dell Dimension 4550 and have not yet installed the drive.

I, too, wish to start with a clean install from the original discs which I possess.

If you have the start-up disks then all you need to do is set the CMOS to boot from CD-Rom. The rest is automatic.

Doesn't the CMOS default to the CD-Rom if any disc is in the CD-Rom?

It certainly defaults to the floppy drive.

It's supposed to but if you have an unformatted HD it can error out on you. Most of the time if you wait through the error message it will do a boot "search" but if the CMOS is set up for "C", then "floppy" and then CDROM it can "time-out" error.

I'm guessing I need to create some disc??? Just not sure how long I have before it dies. After a few mins it starts a "tic tic" as if the head is hammering searching... at that point it locks up.

I need a system to place at my cabin with a video capture to see who has been freely coming and going. Nothing ever appears missing but they leave evidence. I'm afraid to put too much up there as it may disappear so, I figured I'd get this old dell going. I have a video capture card ordered off ebay. Two 2.4g wireless cameras already here. I can lock it up in a cabinet so it's not obvious.
I tried one of those motion sensing digital trail cameras and was not pleased. Too long for the camera to wake up and then it makes a click sound when it takes a shot. The PC DVR idea is next if I can get this dell going.

With Dell computers you should have received some disks to reinstall the OS and other software that came with. You can use that and do a true fresh install. Best way to go.

To get a Dell to boot from the CD or other drive, tap the F12 key right after the keyboards lights flash, shortly after a boot. The F12 key will bring up some boot options.

After you get the OS reinstalled, go to Dell's site and do the various recommended and urgent updates.

Could I bum copies? This one is a Dimension 2100. May not work.

That depends on the motherboard manufacturer and BIOS...

An easy way to check the order is seen in BIOS, it should be an obvious menu.

When you change the boot order, you don't have to worry about what button to push to get you to a boot menu

I'd recommend a clean install over copying the O/S, especially if you have nothing to transfer. Even if you just have files that you want, those are easy to put onto a CD or flash drive and put it back on.

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

Here's an older Dell desktop with a failing hd, No startup disc.

Here's a new HD.

Now what?

Borrow a copy of XP from somebody or scrounge around and find the Dell start-up CD.

You might actually check on the Dell website to see if they have a downloadable boot up file.

If you need the cd-key, it's probably on a sticker somewhere on the case.

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

Will do, thanks.