replace hard drive...

[harsaphes]

ok i want to replace my system hard drive, i have already backed up all the information. Do i just put in the new drive and install the OS?...i know it sounds dumb, but i just want to make sure there is nothing else i have to do.
thanks

 

[eth00]

I would recommend completely unplugging the old disk, putting the new one in, and then installing the OS. Search around and you will find more then a few threads where people accidentally format the backup drive and install an OS on it.

It may also be handy to download all the drivers beforehand and put them on a USB stick - especially the network drivers so you can get online to get anything else.

 

[whbonny]

I would recommend completely unplugging the old disk, putting the new one in, and then installing the OS. Search around and you will find more then a few threads where people accidentally format the backup drive and install an OS on it.

It may also be handy to download all the drivers beforehand and put them on a USB stick - especially the network drivers so you can get online to get anything else.

I'll second all of that. Lots of weird things can happen to a windows install when there's more than one drive/install already on the machine. Oh ya, and it really sucks to find out that you just formatted your system drive and can't get on the internet to get your network drivers, trust me... Besides that, just make sure that you have all your keys in order for any software that you will be reinstalling, and for that matter the cd/media the software came from to begin with. That stuff has a way of disappearing if it's not watched.

 

[game14]

install everything again ...to much work ...just put in the new drive and clone it , then unplug the old drive , takes about 15 minutes and ur done.

 

[ilikecake]

It may also be handy to download all the drivers beforehand and put them on a USB stick - especially the network drivers so you can get online to get anything else.

Also, if you are using an SATA drive and Windows XP (I dunno about Vista), make sure you have the floppy disk with the drivers on it for the SATA controller. Otherwise the OS will not find your hard drive.

 

[harsaphes]

thankyou!