I would like to add a hard drive to my dimension 4100 and keep the original 20GB drive (7200 RPM ultra ATA - quatum) as a slave. I have looked through many messages but need help.
1). I need to determine what hard drive to purchase. I won't purchase over 120GB which as I understand if greater than that the excess wouldn't be usuable. What would be the best option for the hard drive and should I stay away from Maxtor as some have indicated?
Answered many times, always the same answers. Seagate gives you a 5 year warranty, WD is good also, Maxtor stay away.
2) Since I will be installing the new HD as primary and the old drive as the slave, what is the best way for me to do it? I imagine I should initially remove the old drive completely and install the new one, then exactly what do I do? After I install the new HD, which will be probably be 80-120GB, what are the exact steps I need to take in order to get up and running? Will the rescue boot disk I made from windows 98 be appropriate for this purpose, or will I have to go elsewhere for a different boot disk? I read something somewhere about if the HD is greater than 64GB than I need to go elsewhere for the appropriate software to format the new drive. Then do I use the Dell product recovery CD?
Answered daily. Use the software that comes with the disk to copy the 20 to the new one and you're all set.
3) Once I have the system up and running, can I then simply reinstall the original 20GB HD. What do I need to do besides the physical installation of that drive? Will I need to remove the operating system from my old 20GB hard drive which will be the slave, or can I just leave it on there with no problems?
You can leave it alone, but no advantage to that. Format and use for backup.
I just want to have all my ducks in row but with all the information I've read today, I am getting more confused....Any help would be greatly appreciated.
rickmktg
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September 24th, 2005 20:00