Hey Reef.... PC Question

Dangerdoll

Dangerdoll

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Aug 27, 2002
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Reef, I figured I'd ask you since you helped me out so well last time :D

I bought a new hard drive for my PC but there's a problem. I don't have the original start-up disk, the one with the OS on it..... I figured I could use the OS cd that goes to the PC upstairs...... this is what I did. I took out the old HD, put the new one in and then started it up with the other OS disk in.... but the PC wasn't accepting it..... so I put the old HD back in and thought maybe if I reformat the current HD with this OS CD I have now, then I'd be able to use the new HD. Am I correct? or am I screwed?
 
What wasnt the PC accepting? the hard drive or the software? What message were you getting? XP, right? Did the PC recognize the HD on boot up? Can you boot into bios with your system?

Your not screwed at all. Is there a reason that you got the new HD? If you got the new one to upgrade, you can use the old one for a secondary HD and retrieve your info from it once you get the new one running. What HD did you get and what HD is the old one?
 
oh boy, let me see if I can get this out right... well, the message that came up was somthing like "insert BOOT cd" I hit enter, it just kept repeating that.... I tried to reboot so I could get into bios but no go...... so I put the old one back.....I did however get the command prompt and created a shortcut on my desktop if that makes a difference.
I thought maybe I could use one as a second HD but not really sure where it would go and how to hook up the wires...
the old hd says it's an IBM..... need more than that?
I got the new HD for an upgrade...
the new one is a western digital Enhanced IDE.... also says WD Caviar... yep, Windows XP Home version...
 
Did it say boot disk?
or
Boot CD?

If it said boot disk, it is probably looking for something in A: Look at the PC when you boot it to see if the A: drive is lighting up when you hit enter after you get the message. This is a Dell isnt it?
 
it was definitely lookig for something in drive A (sorry, didn't mean CD..... good thing you know me better, hehehe)...... yep, it's a dell.....btw.... in 85, Mr. Dell was making computers in his basement ;) (trivia fact)
 
Another trivial fact, I was working for Computerland in Bellevue WA in 1980 working with Bill Gates when he just got his new office where he had about 8 people working there for him. Man, why didnt I take the blue pill and invest.

OK, Dells drive me nuts. You need to get into the Bio's to change the first boot drive to the CD or you need to create a 3.5 boot disk. Its better to change the bios setting though.
 
These are the boot keys for the different Dells to get into bios. Press the key while it is booting up.

Dell 4400 F12
Dell Dimension® F2 or DEL
Dell Inspiron® F2
Dell Latitude Fn+F1 (while booted)
Dell Latitude F2 (on boot)
Dell Optiplex DEL
Dell Optiplex F2
Dell Precision™ F2

BTW, once you get into bios, you should set the new HD so that bios recognizes it.
 
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ok, so in other words, get into bios, change the inital thing to startup from CD-ROM.... then change HD's while the computer is on? (btw, it's a dimension) or are you suggesting both of them be set up... in which case... huh? :D
 
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