PLS HELP trying to install new HDD

My sister has small celeron processor computer with only 4 gigs HDD. I bought for her 120 Gigs Western Digital HDD. This will be only HDD on this comp (I am planning to make couple partitions)

Can somebody help me and walk me through installation? How do I install it? I am planning to install XP Pro. Thanks.

 

That's a pretty broad question!

Simplest approach is a "new" install of Window XP Pro. Swap the hard drives, Boot to the install CD and follow the instructions. Post again if you get stuck.

However, before you start I'd ask the question "is her computer powerful enough to run XP Pro?" You need at least 256Mb RAM to run XP without running into disk caching issues, and I'd recommend a CPU of at least 500MHz. If not then you might be better choosing a different OS. Also if the computer is not up to this sort of specification at least, you may well find it will only recognise a small portion of the space on your new large hard drive!

The other question is how to get the data from her old hard drive to the new one. Back up CDs or tape would be great, but if you have neither putting the old drive in as a slave temporarily would be the easiest way to get the data over. Sort out how to do that after you've got the new HDD and OS on the system. However, back up as much as you can before you start.

 

Thanks for your help.

1--She had running XP Pro already on this machine.

2--I have problems with Installing this HDD. Computer is not recognizing it. When I run Hard Drive Western Digital's "Data Lifeguard Tools" it recognize HDD but I cannot select drive I want to install although it has it displayed as the recognizes option. After few attempts I put back her old drive. Now, it doesnt recognize her olg drive either and I get when I boot it some sound like siren on european police cars.

3--Data is backed up.

 

Siren is warning that you have a short or bad connection. Remove power and check ALL connections/plugs and reset all pci cards, and make sure you haven't dropped a metal object into the case (shake it!). Then carefully try the power again, and if it still screams, post back here. Let us know in any case.

BTW, the cables to the HDD should have the red wire and red stripe next to each other