Just a quick question... I need to install a new harddrive in my fathers desktop ( he does not need or want a new setup) , as long as I have XP disc & the COA code is it that bad to get it functioning ? I'm not trying to recover anything off the old drive... gotta pull the cover & see what the drive is. I am not all thumbs... I just play an ID10T on TV !
Thanks
Chebbie_sb
Am watching this thread with much interest, as I think mine is slowly failing. Like the OP, I'm not all thumbs, but not a IT tech. Like, what's COA?
install - only issues will be finding drivers for all the devices but they are all online to download.
In reply to triumph5: COA = Certificate of Authenticity (usually a holographic type sticker with a code / serial number)
I know you said you were not going to recover anything, but I recently used an ubuntu cd to recover the data from a "dead" hard drive. It was fairly painless.
Assuming you don't just have some sort of "rescue" disc where most of the info is stored in a partition on the hard drive...
Physically swapping the drive out is easy enough. Assuming getitng ht case open isn't a nightmare anyhow. A few case designs can make this step way, way worse than necessary, but most are trivial. Not knowing how old the computer is make sure you don't get an SATA drive if you need an IDE drive or vice versa. Hint:
Installing XP shouldn't be that bad as long as you have some sort of actual XP installation disc and whatever licensing you need. You might have an issue with activation, but I doubt it. And if you do, it's nothing the phone number it will give you if it happens shouldn't solve. You may need to track down a driver or two, but you may not as well. Once you've got it installed it'll likely need a crap-load of updates, so might was well do that right off the bat.
How about whatever applications you have? Do you have install discs for them?
Plonk some virus/anti-spyware software on it, and away you go. Avast seems to get high marks for free AV software. I haven't switched over to it myself from AVG yet.
If you get stuck, feel free to drop me a line. Just turn my username into a gmail address.
Couple things - as keethrax noted, depending on how old the machine is you may need to order a specific type of hard drive. Pop the case open before you order parts, so as to save yourself time and hassle. Keethrax's picture above will help you identify what you've got.
Popping the case open can range in difficulty from tool-free to several Phillips screws. On my old Dell, there are latch buttons at the top and bottom near the back side - push 'em in, swing the top of the case away from the bottom. Once you're in, part-swapping is easy, as everything only fits one way. If you can wrench on cars, you can replace computer hardware. It's a breeze in comparison.
With a good COA, XP installation will be a breeze - I honestly don't think MS cares about WinXP activations anymore. You may want to visit the computer manufacturer's website and get the applicable software drivers onto a USB stick before installing stuff. You will DEFINITELY want to have Service Pack 3 handy - you can get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=en
DO NOT CONNECT YOUR COMPUTER TO THE INTERNET WITHOUT SERVICE PACK 3 INSTALLED!!! I would also grab the install file for Microsoft Security Essentials and install that prior to hooking the machine back up to the Internet. Other than that...it'll be a pretty painless procedure, as long as you have stuff you can do while Windows takes like half an hour to install.
Just back from the library--dependable computers! And spent time at Microsoft Support. type in the search box, "How to Reinstall Windows XP" It's a 4 part series, each section about 16 pages long (illustrations, too), with lots of "make sure you do this before...." and read the entire thing. For example, an installation discs will not do the job of a start up disc, and then there's the no more support sections, and, how not to follow the directions for service pack 2 if you have service pack 3--which you should have installed....And "How to turn on and off System Restore" is well worth reading. Especially if it does or does not have service pack 2 or 3.
Initially makes your head want to explode. Seriously. But, like rebuilding your first engine, it's a follow the directions, and get ready to spend time. Lots of time. Do not scan, but read Part I, especially about what you should have at hand to do this. That part is very well written for the DIYer.. And you do have the program discs to install the system, right? Glad HP made me download XP's 9 discs before I could operate this computer. I'll shop for a hard drive and more RAM this weekend.
I strongly suggest you have another computer next to the one you're working on so you can access Microsoft's Support. Yeah, I've never done it, so, I'm a newbie, but, it looks like a walk in a park with a few thorns along the way.
I hope I'm wrong on that.
Just back from the library--dependable computers! And spent time at Microsoft Support. type in the search box, "How to Reinstall Windows XP" It's a 4 part series, each section about 16 pages long (illustrations, too), with lots of "make sure you do this before...." and read the entire thing. For example, an installation discs will not do the job of a start up disc, and then there's the no more support sections, and, how not to follow the directions for service pack 2 if you have service pack 3--which you should have installed....And "How to turn on and off System Restore" is well worth reading. Especially if it does or does not have service pack 2 or 3.
Initially makes your head want to explode. Seriously. But, like rebuilding your first engine, it's a follow the directions, and get ready to spend time. Lots of time. Do not scan, but read Part I, especially about what you should have at hand to do this. That part is very well written for the DIYer.. And you do have the program discs to install the system, right? Glad HP made me download XP's 9 discs before I could operate this computer. I'll shop for a hard drive and more RAM this weekend.
I strongly suggest you have another computer next to the one you're working on so you can access Microsoft's Support. Yeah, I've never done it, so, I'm a newbie, but, it looks like a walk in a park with a few thorns along the way.
I hope I'm wrong on that.
I have a Compaq PC with XP that was just "cleaned" by a professional. Anybody want it ? Pm me.
I know this is not the want adds digest.
^^^^^^^^Yes, this weekend. I did talk to an IT guy who did suggest that on an older computer, such as this and your Dad's, that you do the upgrades in stages: shut off restart routine, and do not do large installations all at once, if you can avoid it. Anyway, it'll be a learning experience.
Iceracer: I was referring to my double post. You beat me to posting.
UPdate:
Got Pops computer back in action, and he is just delighted that everything looks & feels the same !
How do you beat a $60 HD install with no labor cost for all that OS + updates & drivers !
The whole deal was pretty much smooth as silk once I realized that there were 2 recovery disks !
I may try to recover the photos he had on the old harddrive if I set up another pc with Unbuntu
Thanks for the morale support !
it is really not that hard.. glad it went smooth for you
A lot of home PC stuff is like doing your brakes. Once you get through it once you realize it is not as scarry as you thought it was.
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