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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on PC Support > Hard Drive Problems > Replacing HD
Expert: Chris Morrison
Date: 7/16/2008
Subject: Replacing HD
Question
Hi.
I have a 6 year old DELL Optiplex GX260 , Pentium 4 with a 35GB HD. The Hard Drive never gave me big problems, and it still has plenty of space but lately it's making a very loud noise, it sounds like a airplane turbine once in a while even when I am not using it and I'm afraid it will crashed and I will loose most of my data. I also have an external Maxtor HD that automatically back ups everything I suppose. Aside from the external HD I want to replace the HD and also want to know if there's anything in special I need to know before buying a new HD, such as it must be up to a certain size. I also would like to know what's the easiest way to copy all my data from the old HD to the new one once it's installed, including the OS, which is XP Professional.
I'd appreciate you help and suggestion.
Thanks.
Sonia
Answer
If you want to take everything from one drive to another the easiest way is to image. Acronis makes a nice program call "migrate easy". It will duplicate the entire drive to a new drive, then just remove the old drive and your on your way.
As for replacing the drive we need to know if it is IDE or SATA. That will make a difference when we replace it and how to get set up.
You can check the documentation that came with the computer, check Dells site for the origianl configuration sheet, or post back the service code and I can check for you.
If you already have a 350 gig, there shouldn't be any size limitations.
You can also find out the manufacturer of the drive - go to device manager and expand the disk drives section it should display the manufacturer.
All manufacturer's have a free utility to check their drives. Sometimes this can be done from windows, sometimes you have to burn a CD and boot from that. that way you can check the drive for defects. It may not even need replaced. It may be something else.
If you still want to replace the drive even if it checks out ok, you can always set the old drive up as more storage after everything is tranfered.
But first we need to know what type of drive we are dealing with then I can give you instructions on hoe to get everything transfered.
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