Dell has 60GB and 80GB upgrades for the Inspiron 8500. and bacillus is right, it would have been a 40GB HDD. When you bought the computer, a GB or two was lost to formatting(unavoidable), and 5-7GB was used for a hidden partition in the HDD. This partition holds diagnostic programs and the factory default configuration for the Image restore.
Thanks for the information. I did buy a 80Gb via Dell (i'm based in the UK) assuming that I'd continue to get good back-up should things go wrong. However, the drive arrived with no instructions whatsoever. I did contact Dell Support who have provided a fairly detailed list of how to re-install Windows XP "from scratch". But no information as to whether i should be doing anything when i install the actual drive. So any guidance there would be appreciated.
just a heads up but before you put the new hdd into the carriage, you must remove the blade-like adapter on the pins of the old hdd and transfer it onto the new hdd.
Also, it is recommended that you unplug the AC adapter, remove the battery, and then hold the power button down for 5-10 seconds before changing hardware. This is to discharge all power from the system to avoid possible electrical shock, and/or electrical damage to the components.
bacillus
2 Intern
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14.4K Posts
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September 8th, 2006 09:00
as for a new hdd, you can use any PATA laptop hdd that is 9.5mm high.
try newegg.com or zipzoomfly.com for it as they will be cheaper in most instances than dell.
NovaHorizon
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September 13th, 2006 04:00
BobH-Weston
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September 13th, 2006 06:00
bacillus
2 Intern
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14.4K Posts
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September 13th, 2006 07:00
ok, I have linked on how you get out your hdd.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8500/en/8500/sm/hdd.htm#1123687
just a heads up but before you put the new hdd into the carriage, you must remove the blade-like adapter on the pins of the old hdd and transfer it onto the new hdd.
NovaHorizon
8 Posts
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September 13th, 2006 20:00