Hardware Question

[Morgan Ellis]

I have two older secondary computers that the drives have crashed on. These aren't bad machines in terms of speed, etc, so I'm loathe to simply replace them.

There's no data on either that I really need to retain, other than the drivers.

I was wondering if I could simply buy new replacement internal drives and install them, effectively starting the machines over from scratch. I have the full version of XP to install at that time, so I can then simply download all the nec. drivers.

Also, how hard is it to do a drive replacement? I've installed writers and sound cards, etc - is it much more difficult than that to do?

Thanks,

Morgan

 

[Morgan Ellis]

XP will then handle all the applications involved.

Thanks, Sheik.

I've never done a straight install of XP before (only upgraded from 98) -- am I going to need to install DOS first on the new drives, or should they come pre formatted?

Morgan

 

[Spinnerbait]

Hi Morgan,

A couple things before you go ahead. 1) Check if your old PC will boot from the CD-Rom. If the answer is yes, just put the XP cd in and start the computer. Otherwise, the PC is too old to run XP and you wouldn't want to know how to install XP on it. 2) How many copy of XP do you have. If the answer is 1, Microsoft will ask you question after you register the same no 3 times. So you better get ready for it. To answer your question, you don't need to install Dos and XP should have all the drivers

 

[alliwantislove]

BIOS Consideration

You might run into a BIOS problem. Sometimes in an older machine the BIOS can't handle a hard drive as large as the ones being sold today. I ran into this a while ago, but I was installing into a working machine and ran some utility which worked some software magic which took care of things.

I recommend researching this potential issue. You might start at e.g. the Western Digital web site or a hardware newsgroup.

Good Luck, Bob

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

2) How many copy of XP do you have. If the answer is 1, Microsoft will ask you question after you register the same no 3 times.

That is not true.. I have 2 copies of XP home and 1 XP PRO, all of which have been activated more than 3 times.... If it is activated more than 3 times, all that is required is that it be activated by phone... all that they ask is if you have installed it on more than one machine... you say no... i just replaced my hard drive and / or reinstalled windows. and they give an activation code... there is no "question after question"

I just purchased a new hardrive... at Costco, they have a Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB buffer for $209... I thought it was a pretty good price

At Best Buy, I also just got the Ion 80GB (firewire) external hardrive.. to store my "stolen" mp3 files it was $269 with a $100 mail in rebate

 

[groo39]

...it was $269 with a $100 mail in rebate

In all the years with the dozens I've sent in, I have never had any company pay their rebate. Not one. Not Seagate, not Maxtor, not Sony, nor Fujitsu. Not one.

After all, you need to ship the original receipt with the rebate request, right? When they don't pay up, you call them, they claim they didn't receive it, and then refuse to pay because you no longer have the original receipt, even if you kept a photocopy.

For those who've had better luck, I guess someone has to win the lottery, otherwise the corps would get spanked for fraud.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

After all, you need to ship the original receipt with the rebate request, right? When they don't pay up, you call them, they claim they didn't receive it, and then refuse to pay because you no longer have the original receipt, even if you kept a photocopy.

I usually forget to send them in.. nut at Best Buy, they print you an extra "rebate" copy to send in with the rebate form.. but when it comes to getting money back, I have only ever sent in one.. and I did receive a check in the mail.. it was either Canon or HP

 

[Keebler Elf]

Of all the rebates I've sent in (probably around a dozen over the years), I've always gotten paid. Even for the chump change like $5 or $10. The key is to xerox what you send in and call them once the 4-6 week period has passed. If you have a copy, customer service isn't going to screw around with you.

 

[groo39]

Of all the rebates I've sent in (probably around a dozen over the years), I've always gotten paid. Even for the chump change like $5 or $10. The key is to xerox what you send in and call them once the 4-6 week period has passed. If you have a copy, customer service isn't going to screw around with you.

Wanna bet? I had a photocopy of the receipt for the $100 rebate on Sony's DTV/Tivo unit while I lived in the US. Ditto the Seagate ATA/IV rebate offer before that. And Epson's printer cartridge rebate before that.

Prior to that I hadn't bothered with photocopying the receipts, and I just ignore the rebates now because they're worth no more than the paper they're printed on. Less -- you have to pay for the stamp.