New Hard Drive For Laptop

ComputerGeek80 · April 25th, 2006, 10:56 PM

I just purchased a Dell Laptop ( E1505 ) but I only got a 40 Gig HD. I didn't realized how quick I would use up the space; I have almost used 50% up. I don't think that it will be an issue for me installing the new drive. However will I have an issue installing my current windows on the new hard drive. Will I need something like Norton Ghost, I would hate to have to repurchase Windows because of installing a new drive.

osprey4 · April 26th, 2006, 09:11 AM

No need to buy another copy of the OS. If your system is still under warranty, call Dell and ask for your Windows XP reinstallation disc, Resource disc (drivers), and application discs (PowerDVD, Office, whatever). That would be the best approach.

However, your notebook has a Ghost image of the hard drive as shipped right on it. If you have a copy of Ghost, and with a bit of tech savvy, you can burn this image to a DVD and use it to restore the OS to another drive. Refer to this site for all the details and instructions:
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/

ComputerGeek80 · April 26th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Thank you very much. When I purchased the Dell I made sure that I got the restore CD's but I didn't realize that I could use them on a new HDD. I am not too tech savy so I don't completly understand making my own copy of the CD. So I guess that is the best route to take.

THANKS again

osprey4 · April 26th, 2006, 06:04 PM

Follow this reinstallation guide:
http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Pr...es.htm#Install

That should have all the information you need.

ComputerGeek80 · April 26th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Thank you I glanced over the site I think it should help. Thanks for your help