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Dimension2350-need new HD
need to be sure...Here is my scenerio: HD is FULL, no extra room for additional HD, no cloning software (or knowledge of cloning), plan to put XP Pro on a new drive to upgrade both OS and my HD from 30GB to the largest IDE drive I can find. (terabyte?) In looking inside my pc it looks like hd isn't connected to the power supply but that the power supply is connected to the mobo. does the hd get power from the mobo? If so, what does this mean in terms of me buying a new hd? will I have power related issues? i'm confused of "what" kind of HD I will be able to use. I was planning to get a power spliter, hook up the new hd (set to master) and the old HD (set to slave) and boot from the new XP Pro disc that I have to get the OS installed on the new drive and then just drag and drop all the files I want to save to the new drive then remove the XP install disk, restart to make sure my files got moved ok, then shut down and unplug power cord, remove the old drive and put the new one in its place, remove the power spliter and everything is exactly as before with the exception of mega HD space and a new OS for my old Dimension 2350. I"ve already maxed out the memory and installed a USB2.0 card and a 128MB NVIDIA GeForce Fx 5500 video card. A new HD and upgrade for my OS should keep me for another several years. Will I have to use the Dell Driver disk that came with my system after I boot up the new OS or will everything just work?
- Your links to the instruction pointers are awesome. Thanks.My current (30GB hd) has XPHome SP2 but I want to install XP Pro (version 2002) on the new 500+gb hd when I replace the 30 gb hd.Will it be possible for me to install XP Prof and then go to microsoft.com and d/l SP2? Or are you saying that I won't be able to install (XP Pro v2002) from the disk because it doesn't have SP2? The copy of XP Pro that I have was a first release candidate (2002 before Service packs) that I had on another machine (which died).My current hd isn't partitioned that I can tell. It's just the C drive. D is my dvd/cd rom and E is the cdRW drive so whic would be a totally fresh install on the newly purchased hd. You said I could install a second hd but there is no space inside the pc so I don't see how that's possible?From the top of the case there are 2 optical drives, then a floppy drive under them. The slots for the IDE ribbons (3) on the mobo are all used by those drives and the hd. Where/how could I connect a 2nd drive without giving up any of the others? That is why I wanted to get a 1TB drive or at least 500GB drive to replace this 30gb original. Any pointers on where to look for the new HD? I'd like to stick to those brands that are known to be compatible for Dell configurations.ps thank you to "tr4" for the advice on how to save getting the splitter.
- The original version does not support drives over 120 so it will have problems installing. You could split the drive into 2 partitions, the c being 120gig. Then install pro and updates. After everything i up to date partition and format the rest of the drive. This is cheaper than buying pro sp2 original disk. I'd do a search for drives as prices changes constantly. Get a drive that has a bigger buffer and you'll see the difference.
- Ok, I get it. I read a lot today and it would be money ahead to get a 120gb drive without unnecessary complications for this little machine. This will get me up to date enough until I can afford a new machine all togther. I can't see buying a new XP Pro OS when I can d/l the SP for free. Thanks for your help. Reading Dell's forums is a life saver! Knowledge is power, eh?
shesagordie
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Posted December 17th, 2007 02:00
melissssa
Installing a 120gb hard drive, as the primary C:/, makes sense. If you require more storage, you can install a second hard drive.
Bev.
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Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.- Going from 30 to 120 is quite a jump. If its enough, you're all set. A second drive could hold data and be moved to the new machine. If you now need more than 120, go with my suggestion as 1 300 gig is cheaper than a 120 and anything else. You may want to squirrel away the 30 to reinstall so that you can move the new purchased drive to the new machine. Most new machines will be sata so be sure there is a ide connector on the system board or you'll need an add on card
- I'm so lucky you mentioned that tip! I was going to open the old one and get the magnet out. I love those super strong magnets! But, yes that is a great plan and I will certainly check about the IDE connection before I buy. I'm looking at some of the Dell small business type machines. Ok, I'm happy with all these posts and I'm putting this to rest until the weekend :-) have a great week y'all. thanks again! melissa~
shesagordie
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Posted December 18th, 2007 14:00
melissssa
If you wish to add a second hard drive to your D-2350, here are the procedures:
You will need the hard drive bracket and a three connector IDE cable.
The bracket can be purchased for $7.99, from here
This option requires a three connector 80 wire IDE cable, this could be purchased from a local computer store, or you can buy it from Centrix for .25c.
Dell has not published instructions for installing a second IDE/EIDE hard drive in a D-2350, but as the D-4600 has the same case and chassis, you can use the same instructions for the physical installation. A hint > Set the hard drive jumpers to "Cable Select".
After the physical installation, check in the setup, that the second drive is set to auto [on] and then use XP's disk management to partition and format the drive.
These are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all,
makes.
Bev.
===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
shesagordie
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Posted December 16th, 2007 20:00
The IDE hard drive does not receive power from the motherboard, it is connected to 4-pin Molex power connector from the power supply.
To install a hard drive, larger than 120gb, then you need to be running XP-SP1 or higher. Not XP with the SP-1 or SP-2 upgrade.
Insructions for replacing the IDE hard drive are here.
You should have no power issues and any 3.5" IDE/ATA/EIDE 7200rpm hard drive, will be suitable.
How to reinstall XP.
First, disconnect all the peripherals from the system except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
How to configure Dell Dimension series system to boot to the CD or DVD drive.
Install XP.
While installing, remember to delete all partitions when you are prompted, then recreate the partitions and format the hard drive, following by installing XP.
After installing XP, you need to install the drivers and applications in the following order,
Desktop System Software (if applicable)
Intel Chipset
Video Card
Network Interface (NIC)
Sound
Modem
All other drivers.
Then, install the Anti Virus utility and update the definitions, followed by all the critical Microsoft updates.
Note: It is possible to install a second hard drive, in the Dimension 2350
Bev.
===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.