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Resolved Question

Want to replace internal hard drive with a new, larger one

Apr 3, 2013 3:45AM PDT

I have a Dell Optiplex GX620. Specs: Intel Pentium D, 2x80GB SATA II, 2GB DDR2, WinXP Pro (w/ SP3)

I want to replace the current hard drive with a 2TB hard drive. From what I've read, WinXP will support this. Would you recommend upgrading the ram as well? Is there anything else I need to do/get or a hard drive you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

Discussion is locked

sdavis28 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
There's trouble with XP
Apr 3, 2013 3:48AM PDT

Yes I read you have XP with SP3 but until we know what the original XP was when it was installed, you have to assume it has the 127GB limit on the boot drive.

Why not add your 2TB drive and use that as the data drive?
Bob

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Newbie here.
Apr 4, 2013 2:25AM PDT

How do I find out what the original XP is? What would be the benefit to adding the 2TB drive to use as a data drive? There is nothing needed on the current hard drive, which is why they plan was to just replace it all together.

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To find out the original
Apr 4, 2013 2:30AM PDT

I look at the XP install CD.

As to your question about the data drive, the benefit is you don't have to figure out the original OS issue or question. It becomes a big drive you can use. Also, if you move to a new PC, you just take it with you along with your backup copy.
Bob

Best Answer

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Check and verify
Apr 3, 2013 1:59PM PDT

I urge you to get the 2Tb in kit form, that way you get everything that can help install the new HD to include cloning or transferring data from old to new HD. Dell support usually provides details on any upgrades to include the HD, so review that. In general, if you have a 200Gb or larger currently installed, going to 2Tb shouldn't be a problem.

Alas, whatever HD you buy, you can beforehand of any XP issues by visiting the support website. Once there to see what if any issues may arise. IMHO, you'll be pushing it under XP having a 2Tb, though. I also suggest you bios update the Dell GX620, do that before you install and it's up and running OK. It's important because if you lag too far behind, it may address HD issues, if you have a A03 status, going to A06, etc. is a must or to the latest, and read the instructions, don't rush this.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Looking for some clarification..
Apr 4, 2013 5:30AM PDT

As for getting it in kit form, if I don't need anything off of the old hard drive, would getting the hard drive in kit form still be recommended? Bios is currently at A07 and from what I have read can be updated to A11, which I can and will do before installing new hard drive. An external hard drive would not suit my purposes, which is why I am trying to figure out if I can upgrade my current system enough or if I am going to have to buy a new one. You said "if you have a 200GB or larger currently installed that going to a 2TB shouldn't be a problem", however, this computer does not have a 200GB hard drive to start with. Thanks for all your help/advice.

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In a nutshell...
Apr 4, 2013 4:55PM PDT

The kit should provide useful s/w for ease of install and/or ultilies to proceed forward providing some ready default setup or parameters to select from, rather than finding out on your own. Minor h/w and cable should also be included, plus maybe printed "quick start" material. If you haven't done this or familiar with adding h/w, etc., it pays for itself and added cost is low. While you can get s/w and cable elsewhere, it already there as a kit. Of course that's up to you.

As always proving details of what you have and current setup allows us to better answer your question. The banter just to get the basics becomes a task unto itself, so it helps to do so up front, what you can provide. We have no clue otherwise. If your PC fits the general description I provided, it would have been "a go". However, you didn't offer if you visited the websites I suggested, which many HD makers provide to countless new buyers which on top of anything here is added knowledge. So what size HD do you have? The reason, I offered 200Gb because its bigger than 120Gb and would have addressed the issue of 127Gb OS limits and needn't worry, as the fix is already present. The max. addressable limit patch would have been part of XP later SP's, but XP can sometimes be difficult. Do the Dell bios update so the bios becomes ready and isn't a issue. Under the bios setting, verify that "LBA" is enabled to address big drives(probably is). Also being a Dell PC, which GX620 model is it, there is at least three(3) versions of that model which also relates to the upgrade can be handled. These vary in one way or another besides size.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/optiplex-gx620

tada -----Willy Happy

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Thank you
Apr 4, 2013 11:21PM PDT

Thank you for explaining everything and providing further resources, which I will be investigating this weekend. I will be getting started on this project next week. Just for the record though, I did provide the size of my current hard drive in my original post "2x80GB SATA II" Happy

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Yes you did.
Apr 4, 2013 11:31PM PDT

But were these singles, RAID and which RAID? That's why there's a little ambiguity but it really doesn't matter as whenever anyone asks about XP and drives over the 127GB size, the question should be broached.
Bob