PC restore and new hard drive

Question

One of my hard drives is bad :smileysad:(purchased sept 2005) and I have contacted dell and they will be shipping a new one out.  So I will need to re install everything on my computer.    How does pc restore work now?  I mean, I know that I will need to manually reinstall everything, but how do I get pc restore back on my computer, so that when I want to reformat late on I will not have to re install everything?   Also, I want there to be as few glitches as possible with my computer, and I have reformatted a couple of computers before, and they never seem to run just like they did from the factory, is there an order or something in how I should install my programs and drivers?  Do I need to turn the computer off after each program/driver install?  Any other tips on putting in a new hard drive would be appreciated!!!  I just want my computer to run as smoothly and efficiently as it did before my hard drive fiasco!   Thanks

Denny Denham · Answer

melani9111,

I believe the only way to preserve PC Restore is to clone the drive it is currently on then write that clone to the new drive.

The procedure for installing XP is here. The only critical order of installation after XP is installed is that the chipset driver must be the first driver installed. After that the order is not important. There is no need to reboot after each application is installed.

Denny Denham · Answer

melani9111,

Use a program such as Norton Ghost or Acronis TrueImage. Frankly, I don't think it's worth the effort. If you are capable of reinstalling Windows the ability to return your system to "as shipped" condition with all the trial software and nothing you have added since receiving the system does not seem attractive.

All this assumes that the hard disk that PC Restore is on is still functioning.

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 05-07-200609:29 AM

melani9111 · Answer

How do you 'clone the drive it is currently on' so that I can preserve pc restore? Thanks

melani9111 · Answer

I guess I just don't like the idea of having to spend 'hours' to reinstall the OS and the drivers, when pc restore only takes 10 minutes to do all of this for you.  I have a baby and those days when I could spend hours on the computer are gone, LOL!!!  That is why pc restore looks attractive to me, although I really don't know that much about it beyond the saving me time.  Am I still going to have to reinstall my monitor and sound cards and video cards and all that other stuff?   Thanks so much for your help!!!!

Windows General

PC restore and new hard drive

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