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Replacing the C: hard drive

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Ingeniero1, 2009/01/28.

  1. 2009/01/28
    Ingeniero1 Contributing Member

    Ingeniero1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    My HP xw4000 computer’s 40-GB hard drive [C:] has started to make noise and I fear that it will fail sooner than later, so I want to replace it. I was thinking of getting a Western Digital Caviar 80GB Hard Drive - 7200, 8MB, ATA-100, EIDE, OEM for $40 from TigerDirect.

    The PC has an open bay into which I could install the new drive. I know I can copy the data from C: to the new drive, which will probably be F:, but I am not sure about the programs such as Win-XP home edition, MS Office 2003, and perhaps three or four other programs I have, at the most. I do have those source discs, so I could reinstall them, but I would prefer not to have to setup everything up from scratch.;)

    How can I accomplish my objective, which is to disconnect and remove the existing hard drive, with the least amount of disruption (read: work:D)?

    (Now I wonder… would the new drive become C: when I remove the existing hard drive?)

    Thanks for your help.

    Alex
     
    Ingeniero1,
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  2. 2009/01/28
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Go google on "cloning software" and you will find a lot of hints on how to clone (duplicate) a disk. Quick and easy but at a price for the cloning software.

    If you clone the old to a new, the drive letters will be the same as before.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2009/01/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If you want to avoid the hassle of installing everything afresh clone the drive using something like Acronis - see the User Guide
     
    PeteC,
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  5. 2009/01/28
    SVEN

    SVEN Well-Known Member

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    Alex,
    My WD came with software that would do just what you want. It copied my old "C" to my new "D" and then I just switched the cables.
    Works just fine.
    Sven
     
    SVEN,
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  6. 2009/01/28
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    An OEM drive is unlikely to include any software, but it can be downloaded ....

    Data Lifeguard Tools
     
    PeteC,
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  7. 2009/01/29
    Ingeniero1 Contributing Member

    Ingeniero1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Sven- Do you mean that your Western Digital included that software? I suspect that for the price that TigerDirect has on this particular WD drive, it probably doesn't include anything, but I'll find out. If it is does not, I will look for the 'package' that includes the software as that sounds like a good way to do it.

    Thank you and to everyone for your replies!

    Alex
     
    Ingeniero1,
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  8. 2009/01/29
    SVEN

    SVEN Well-Known Member

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    Hi Alex.
    yes, my drive came with it, but was not OEM. Look at petec post, you can download it from WD.
    Sven
     
    SVEN,
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  9. 2009/01/30
    Ingeniero1 Contributing Member

    Ingeniero1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    OK.
    I believe I will buy the 160-GB instead; it' sonly $5 more. (WD1600AAJB) ;)

    Found the software! Neat how WD displays the drive model numbers over the various drive types by just dragging the mouse pointer of the drive pictures.

    You guys are great! :)

    Thanks

    Alex
     
    Ingeniero1,
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  10. 2009/01/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Sound move - you can never have too much hard drive capacity :)

    Good luck with the cloning - you should not need it!!
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2009/02/09
    Ingeniero1 Contributing Member

    Ingeniero1 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Work Successfully Completed - Thank you!

    Objective: To replace 40GB hard drive with 80GB WD drive (later, 160GB)

    Sven: My WD came with software that would do just what you want. It copied my old "C" to my new "D" and then I just switched the cables.
    Works just fine.

    Pete C: An OEM drive is unlikely to include any software, but it can be downloaded ....
    Data Lifeguard Tools

    Sven: Yes, my drive came with it, but was not OEM. Look at Pete C post, you can download it from WD.

    Pete C: 160GB - Sound move - you can never have too much hard drive capacity
    Good luck with the cloning - you should not need it!!

    :) Results: Works like a charm!! :D

    Bought the 160GB drive, WD1600AAJB, and according to Tiger-Direct’s description, that particular drive, priced at $5 higher ($50) "˜featured’ the Data Lifeguard software included. Nevertheless, I downloaded the software per your recommendation anyway.

    Ran software and installed drive per instructions, and both were easier than I expected, but had to make a couple of educated guesses at the jumper configurations because the instruction descriptions did not exactly match the actual on-the-drive label descriptions. The software correctly detected and identified the existing Maxtor drive, and also changed a 132GB limit to allow for the larger capacity drive.

    The software "˜asked’ if I wanted to make the new drive the main and only drive, and after I double checked to make sure that all the files were in the new drive, I checked yes. Turned the computer off, changed the jumpers on the new drive and disconnected the old drive. The PC now runs with just the new drive and everything works fine.
    -------------------------------

    :eek: However, the reason for changing the old 40GB was because it would start making a very annoying whining noise after it ran for a few minutes. Unfortunately, after replacing the old drive, I found out that the noise was not from the drive at all! So it must be a fan, and I suspect the power supply fan.

    I have access to the connector for the CPU fan and the main fan, and wondered if it would be OK to disconnect them while they are running to make sure that the noise is coming from the power supply fan, which is the one that I cannot disconnect while running.

    :) I am glad I changed the drive anyway, as I just started doing some simple work with videos, and those files are big.;)

    Thank you guys for your help.

    Alex
     
    Ingeniero1,
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  12. 2009/02/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Mission Accomplished !! - glad to have been be able to help out :)

    There is no harm in disconnecting the main fan, by which I guess you mean a fan mounted on the case, but I would be inclined to do that with the computer powered down and then reboot to test.

    Although you would probably do no harm by briefly disconnecting the CPU fan I would advise against it on the grounds that you may have difficulty re-connecting it. CPU's are too precious to take chances with and it is not a good idea to poke fingers into a running computer, even if properly grounded to avoid static.

    From your description it sounds as if you do not have a fan on the Northbridge chipset, probably a heat sink.

    I suggest the use of a piece of, say, 6mm bore plastic tubing inserted carefully into your favoured ear and used as a makeshift stethoscope to determine the source of the noise :)
     
    PeteC,
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  13. 2009/02/11
    gone4pepsi

    gone4pepsi Inactive

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    Will this only work for Western Digital hard drives?
     
    gone4pepsi,
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  14. 2009/02/11
    SVEN

    SVEN Well-Known Member

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    It is a free download, so try it. i think it will work.
    Sven
     
    SVEN,
    #13
  15. 2009/02/11
    TopFarmer

    TopFarmer Well-Known Member

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    gone4pepsi - it will not work if there is not a WD drive present. Most drive makers do have similar programs.
     
    TopFarmer,
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  16. 2009/02/11
    gone4pepsi

    gone4pepsi Inactive

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    thank you friend.
    I will try it.
     
    gone4pepsi,
    #15

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