hard drive replacement

I have a dell e521 250gb hard drive with vista home 32bit i want to replace hard drive that already has windows 10 on it what do i need to do to the replacement drive i beleve is 1.5 g with 64bit operating system on it

Methawkes53

Unfortunately, I'm having issues understanding your post.

If you have a Hard drive that already has Windows 10 already installed while in a different computer, other than a Dimension e521, this probably will not work, due to the differences in the registry and drivers, plus having Microsoft product key issues, that could require you to buy a new license from Microsoft.

You need to buy a new SATA, 3.5", 7200rpm, up to 2tb in size and new OEM 64-bit, copy of either Win dows 10, Professional, or Windows 10 Home, then install the hard drive in the e521, followed by installing the operating system and the drivers if available.

Bev.

could i erase the hard drive and start from scratch with the larger hard drive from one computer to the other

Methawkes53

Yes.

But, you will need either an OEM, or a retail DVD of windows that has it's own product key, or purchase a product key from Microsoft, you cannot use a copy that has already been installed in different computer, unless it's a full retail version of Windows.

Bev.

Methawkes53

I've found DBAN, very effective for erasing all the data from a hard drive.

Go HERE for more information.

Bev.

My Dell E521 to upgrade the hard drive and cpu what are the best to go with i am looking at a athlon a4 7300 3.8 ghz or can i go with an fx  the hard drive i am looking at is a seagate 1 tb 7200rpm 64 mb sata 6gb/s is this a good match and is there any resrictions i should watch for upgrading do you have a better match for this pc  thank

Methawkes53

The Seagate 1TB, 7200rpm, SATA 6gb, will work fine.

Here is a list of compatible AMD processors:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 2.0G, 512K, 62 Watt
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2G, 512K, 62 Watt
AMD Athlon 64 3800+, 2.5G, 512K, 62 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 3800+, 2.0G, 512KB x2, Dual Core, 65 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 3600+, 1.9G, 1MBX2, Dual Core, 65Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 3800+, 2.0G, 512K, 89 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4000+, 2.1G, 1MX2, Dual Core, 65Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4200+, 2.2G, 512KB x2, Dual Core, 65 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4200+, 2.2G, 512K, 89 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4400+, 2.3G, 1MX2, Dual Core, 65Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4600+, 2.4G, 512K, 89 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4600+, 2.4G, 512KB x2, Dual Core, 65 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 4800+, 2.5G, 1MX2, Dual Core, 65Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 5000+, 2.6G, 512K, 89 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 5200+, 2.6G, 1MBx2, Dual Core, 89 Watt
AMD Athlon 64X2 5600+, 2.8G, 1MX2, Dual Core, 89 Watt

The maximum processor upgrade is the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 89W 3.0Ghz Windsor.

Prior to installing the processor, check that you have the latest BIOS version 1.1.11 installed, with BIOS version 1.1.4 support for AMD was added.

Note: The Windsors were replaced by the Brisbanes and for the most part they do not work in the e521.   

You might find a 125w version of the 6000+ Windsor, but it's best not to install, since it runs too hot for your heatsink/fan.

Also, there is an issue with the Brisbanes and E521 BIOS. 

Brisbanes were released after the last BIOS update for the e521 and therefore not programmed correctly. 

Some e521 owners say, they managed to have Brisbanes work, but find that the processor settings, like speed are incorrect. 

For others, the e521 will not even boot.  What this means is, the e521 is not designed to run Brisbane processors.

Bev.

could you recommend a mother board and at least a quad core compatible cpu that would be compatible with my e521 case to upgrade thanks sincerely for your help

Methawkes53

The Dimension e521 supports a Dell BTX proprietary motherboard based on the Nvidia GeForce 6150LE chipset and made to Dell's specifications by outside contractors, there is no retail BTX motherboard made that will fit into the e521 BTX proprietary chassis.

Plus if a non Dell motherboard is installed, the Dell Factory installed operating system cannot be used, as it is tied to the e521 BIOS, either a new retail, or OEM copy of windows, with it's own product key, would be needed.

Bev.