Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

How to Install a new HDD

Jul 13, 2006 12:07PM PDT

My Computer
1.8 GHZ
768MB Ram
Windows XP SP2
Intel Pent 4
Mostly use to rip video and music
My current hard drive is 80gb but I only have 10gb left. I want to swap for a larger drive but I am worry because my machine only supports one drive and I don't have a system boot disc. Is there any software that allows me to swap my information from the old drive to a new drive. Plus what size should I get and will it be difficult to do.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
more info please
Jul 13, 2006 1:13PM PDT

Desktop or notebook computer?
Computer model number?

- Collapse -
more info please (whoops)
Jul 13, 2006 1:18PM PDT

Whoops! This is the desktop forum, so I assume that you have a desktop.

We still need to know the model number. Maybe you can install 2 hard drives at once. At least you can do this for the file transfer.

A computer with those specifications should be able to take a 3.5" form factor ATA/100 or ATA/133 hard drive. Get one with at least 8MB cache and 7200 rpm.

NOTE: That computer is likely to be too old to be able to use an SATA hard drive without adding extra hardware.

- Collapse -
software
Jul 13, 2006 5:38PM PDT
Is there any software that allows me to swap my information from the old drive to a new drive?

The HD maker has included with the HD (or available from its website) software that can clone the image of the old HD to the new HD. Use the software from the new HD maker.