Dan Adams 2
Member
I have a Dell XPS200 and the hard-drive has crapped out. Here is my question... Can I just put a new hard drive in and install a Windows operating system CD to get it running again?
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- Thread starter Dan Adams 2
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Thomas Rogers
Well-Known Member
Yes, Dan, that's the steps.
Also, watch for the gotchas:
1. Get a Windows XP Professional, SP2 installation CD if you don't already have one and use that in lieu of any "recovery" disk that Dell gave you. I say that because you get a nice clean install that way, sans any bloatware.
2. You may need to go into the bios of the computer and add the CD-rom drive to the boot order so that you can boot the install CD.
3. Once you have installed the base system and have it up and are connected to the Internet make sure to install all the drivers that came with the computer (another CD). These will be drivers for the vid, audio, network interface card/chip, etc. Or, better than installing from CD, go directly to Dell's website and get the latest from their "Support" area.
4. Once you have everything working, install the Free version of AVG (anti-virus) from Grisoft to keep everything clean. Avoid McAfee and Norton's like the plague.
TJR
Also, watch for the gotchas:
1. Get a Windows XP Professional, SP2 installation CD if you don't already have one and use that in lieu of any "recovery" disk that Dell gave you. I say that because you get a nice clean install that way, sans any bloatware.
2. You may need to go into the bios of the computer and add the CD-rom drive to the boot order so that you can boot the install CD.
3. Once you have installed the base system and have it up and are connected to the Internet make sure to install all the drivers that came with the computer (another CD). These will be drivers for the vid, audio, network interface card/chip, etc. Or, better than installing from CD, go directly to Dell's website and get the latest from their "Support" area.
4. Once you have everything working, install the Free version of AVG (anti-virus) from Grisoft to keep everything clean. Avoid McAfee and Norton's like the plague.
TJR
Jacob Dryer
Well-Known Member
Important first step, are you sure it's the harddrive? Have you tested it?
TJR's advice is true. Except you shouldn't have to goto bios every dell for the past few years that I have worked on has already had cd-rom set to boot before harddrive.
I tend to use the recovery disks and then just uninstall all the crap, since xp is getting harder to buy and it just adds another cost to a relatively cheap fix.
TJR's advice is true. Except you shouldn't have to goto bios every dell for the past few years that I have worked on has already had cd-rom set to boot before harddrive.
I tend to use the recovery disks and then just uninstall all the crap, since xp is getting harder to buy and it just adds another cost to a relatively cheap fix.
Last edited by a moderator:
Thomas Rogers
Well-Known Member
JDBoxes makes a good point. Everyone should invest in a cheap IDE external HD enclosure with USB or Firewire support. Then, if they think they have a DOA HD, simply pop it out, put it in the enclosure and see if you can access the HD on another PC or laptop. This also works well for recovering data.
TJR
TJR
Dan Adams 2
Member
TJR,
Thanks for the info! What's the best way to get to the bios to get it to boot from the cd-rom?
Thanks for the info! What's the best way to get to the bios to get it to boot from the cd-rom?
Dan Adams 2
Member
I had my IT guy here at work confirm it was a bad HD.
Thomas Rogers
Well-Known Member
Dan, see what JDBoxes said...you may be already setup by default to boot from the install CD. Give it a try. Also, if you don't have an XP install disk as I recc'ed but do have your Dell recovery CD then use that and avoid the delay of procurement and added expense per JD's advice.
TJR
TJR
troy malone
Active Member
make sure you buy the right drive... there is a difference in SATA and IDE connections..
usually to get to the bios you hit the DELETE or F2 key just after power up.. if you put in a bare drive the computer should auto boot to the CD since there are no files on the new hard drive.. if your looking for deals on drive tyr www.newegg.com
troy
usually to get to the bios you hit the DELETE or F2 key just after power up.. if you put in a bare drive the computer should auto boot to the CD since there are no files on the new hard drive.. if your looking for deals on drive tyr www.newegg.com
troy
You can use the Dell onboard diagnostics program (press F12 while booting up) You can even call Dell for help with any diagnostic errors codes and they will help you determine exactly what is wrong...and there is no charge, even if the computer is out of warranty.
...Rich
...Rich
Alan Peters
Well-Known Member
My hard drive went south on my XPS over the winter. I have the XPS support to help diagnose the issue, I think you might have that service as well. I would call the tech support and ask. Many times dell you help you trouble shoot with high end models. In this case, my hard drive was clicking for about a week prior to crashing. I did make a back up copy.
What does the power button doing when you turn the computer on? Amber or Green?
Use the F12 function and you can use the diagnostic CD that may have come with your PC.
Also any beeps?
Does your machine have a second hard drive installed? This can play a role when your machine boots it locks the boot sequence during start up causing the machine to crash.
What does the power button doing when you turn the computer on? Amber or Green?
Use the F12 function and you can use the diagnostic CD that may have come with your PC.
Also any beeps?
Does your machine have a second hard drive installed? This can play a role when your machine boots it locks the boot sequence during start up causing the machine to crash.
Dan Adams 2
Member
Just another quick question about loading an operating system on a new hard-drive. TJR stated that I could use my recovery disk to re-load the operating system on my new hard-drive. Not doubting you by any means TJR, but I would ASSUME that the drive would have to have some sort of prior operating system on it for the recovery CD to work. I am probably wrong on this and we all know what happens when we ASSUME. 
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Thomas Rogers
Well-Known Member
Dan,
I'm not sure. I have never used a Dell recovery disk. But it SHOULD allow you to reinstall on a new HD.
TJR
I'm not sure. I have never used a Dell recovery disk. But it SHOULD allow you to reinstall on a new HD.
TJR
Jacob Dryer
Well-Known Member
Yup Dan your wrong
The new drive will be blank and that Dell disks will format and install any and all info that they need. Nothing else will be required.
The new drive will be blank and that Dell disks will format and install any and all info that they need. Nothing else will be required.
Dan Adams 2
Member
I want to thank everyone for all the help. Went and got a hard drive today. Popped it in, threw the ole' recovery CD in and after a few minutes, all is well again. I do have one question however. I plugged in my broadband cable and could not get on the internet. I installed a USB wireless internet adaptor and was able to get on the internet that way. It has been so long since I set up a broadband connection on a new computer that I am kind of at a standstill. Any suggestions?
TomT
Well-Known Member
Did you try to hook up the old drive as a slave and recover your data? I say that because sometimes just the boot sector goes bad, not the whole hard drive. That recently happened to me.
Thomas Rogers
Well-Known Member
Dan,
I suspect the drivers for the motherboard's network interface aren't installed properly.
If the drivers are installed and working and the network "card" on the motherboard is active, then you should be able to just run a cable between your computer and broadband router and be active without any software config.
Go into your "My Computer", click Properties, then "Hardware", then "Device Manager", then scroll down to "Network Adapters" and expand the list. You should see your wireless adapter and the mobo chipset. If you don't see two, then first make sure the network interface is active in Bios; then if needed, go to Dell's website and the support area and look for the most up-to-date network drivers for your PC.
TJR
I suspect the drivers for the motherboard's network interface aren't installed properly.
If the drivers are installed and working and the network "card" on the motherboard is active, then you should be able to just run a cable between your computer and broadband router and be active without any software config.
Go into your "My Computer", click Properties, then "Hardware", then "Device Manager", then scroll down to "Network Adapters" and expand the list. You should see your wireless adapter and the mobo chipset. If you don't see two, then first make sure the network interface is active in Bios; then if needed, go to Dell's website and the support area and look for the most up-to-date network drivers for your PC.
TJR
