changing size of hard drive

[Guest]

My hard drive is not large enough for the programs I want to use. So I want
to replace my 5.8 GB Hard drive with a 40 GB hard drive (second hand).I think
I got the jumper in it's righ place as master. But when i go to reboot i get
a message to check my media cable. Which confuses me, I checked everything
conected to the computer all cables and plugs.I checked all the wires inside
and out. all seems to be snug and secured.Confused on what to do to correct
this or what the problem is that would cause this. I'm using Windows XP HE.,
on a second hand Pentium II Processor 399 MHz, 256 RAM., Dell computer. The
Disk Driver in it is a Maxtor 90654D3. and the 40 GB. I want to put into it
is a Maxtor DimonMax Plus8 ATA/133HDD.

Can anyone help explain how to correct or fix this so I can connect my 40 GB
HD.

 

[Rich Barry]

Make sure that the red stripe on the Ribbon ( Media Cable ) faces the
White Power Connector to the hard drive. Also, you may need a Bios update.
Go to Dell's website and see if there's one for your Motherboard.

 

[PA20Pilot]

Hi Misty,

Did you see any mention about needing an 80 conductor cable? Some of the
new drives don't like to play on the older style cables you're probably
using.

---==X={}=X==---


Jim Self
AVIATION ANIMATION, the internet's largest depository.
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Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Technical Counselor

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, mistyoldspirit.

After getting your physical connections (cable, jumpers, etc.) right, as the
others have suggested, you probably will need to reinstall WinXP so that
Setup can detect your new hardware configuration and recustomize your copy
of WinXP to fit the new environment. This is not required to just add a
secondary HD, but if you plan to boot from that drive, you will have to let
Setup detect it and integrate it into WinXP. Otherwise, WinXP will probably
refuse to boot from the HD and you might receive a BSOD complaining of Stop
0x7B, Inaccessible_Boot_Device.

It's easy to move all files from your old drive to the new one except the
operating system itself, and especially the Registry files. New HDDs often
come with a utility to move the files. Even with this, though, after the
physical installation of your new HD, you may need to do an in-place upgrade
to let Setup detect your new hardware. The in-place upgrade will reinstall
WinXP itself, but preserve your installed applications and data. See this
KB article for Microsoft's official instructions:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

Or see MVP Michael Stevens' version of the same instructions:
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

In either case, be sure to install SP2 afterwards, if it is not included in
your WinXP CD-ROM.

RC

 

[Ron Martell]

My hard drive is not large enough for the programs I want to use. So I want
to replace my 5.8 GB Hard drive with a 40 GB hard drive (second hand).I think
I got the jumper in it's righ place as master. But when i go to reboot i get
a message to check my media cable. Which confuses me, I checked everything
conected to the computer all cables and plugs.I checked all the wires inside
and out. all seems to be snug and secured.Confused on what to do to correct
this or what the problem is that would cause this. I'm using Windows XP HE.,
on a second hand Pentium II Processor 399 MHz, 256 RAM., Dell computer. The
Disk Driver in it is a Maxtor 90654D3. and the 40 GB. I want to put into it
is a Maxtor DimonMax Plus8 ATA/133HDD.

Can anyone help explain how to correct or fix this so I can connect my 40 GB
HD.

A couple of possibilities.

1. Your computer's BIOS may not be capable of recognizing hard drives
larger than 32 gb. This is fairly common with systems of that
vintage. Check the Dell website for information and a possible BIOS
update for your specific model number.

2. Did you remove or disconnect the old hard drive completely or are
you trying to use the computer with both hard drives connected?

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."