installing new hard driive, copying from old to new

[Larry]

I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.

Two questions:

How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?

If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
backup medium), how do I do that?

If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more likely
buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.

I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.

Thanks much.

Larry

[Brian A.]

If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will also
need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows does not
support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size of the
drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than 64GB and
possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.

Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of the
drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be the Master
and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.

For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new drive
to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong drive.
Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on the
motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to one
another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either Single or
Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the drive.

Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the disk
or
Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot the
machine
Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.

How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a
Hard Disk
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/

Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk in the
CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:

NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD drive
letter you noted earlier.**

Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you will
be asked for it.

Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector between
the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you want them
or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the app that
uses them.

Have fun and good luck.


--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.
>
> Two questions:
>
> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>
> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
> backup medium), how do I do that?
>
> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more likely
> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.
>
> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>
> Thanks much.
>
> Larry
>
>
>

[Larry]

I'm glad I asked this. My CD drive hasn't been working lately and I
hadn't bothered getting it fixed. It appears from what you say that the
CD drive is necessary to install a new hard drive. Or is there a way
around that?

In any case, I've obviously got to get that CD drive fixed or replaced.



Brian A. wrote:
> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will
> also need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows
> does not support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the
> size of the drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives
> larger than 64GB and possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>
> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of
> the drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be
> the Master and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>
> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
> drive to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the
> wrong drive. Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the
> Primary IDE on the motherboard and the other end, where the
> connectors are closer to one another, to the harddrive. Make sure the
> drive is set for either Single or Master, Single doesn't always work.
> Connect the power to the drive.
>
> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the
> disk or
> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot
> the machine
> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>
> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
> Repartition a Hard Disk
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>
> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk
> in the CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>
> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD
> drive letter you noted earlier.**
>
> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you
> will be asked for it.
>
> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector
> between the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you
> want them or keep them where their at and set the path to them within
> the app that uses them.
>
> Have fun and good luck.
>
>
>
> "Larry" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> >
> > I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
> > failing. However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I
> > would want to keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on
> > the new drive.
> >
> > Two questions:
> >
> > How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
> > there a simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to
> > go through a big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as
> > insurance?
> >
> > If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
> > backup medium), how do I do that?
> >
> > If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
> > drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more
> > likely buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me
> > through it.
> >
> > I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
> >
> > Thanks much.
> >
> > Larry

[Brian A.]

No, the CD drive is not necessary to install a new drive. It is only
necessary if you want to install an OS on it unless the Win98 setup files
are on your harddrive already. Most manufacturers place them in
C:\Windows\Options\Cabs although they may place them elsewhere. Use find to
see if you can locate them, many will show as win98_##.cab.

In the named box type: *.cab
Select the c: drive to look in and click find.

If you happen on a folder with many many .cab files named as above, bingo,
you've got them on hand in the drive. Write down the entire path to the
folder to use in DOS. If any directories or folders have names longer than
8+3, 8 characters for the name +3 for the extension then you will need to
get the DOS name of the directory/folder. To do this right click on the
folder and click Properties. The dos name will be shown in the window that
comes up.
ex: Program Files has the DOS name Progra~1

In this case, after you have partitioned/formatted the drive:
Shut down and install the second drive as explained previously
Boot with a 98 boot disk as stated previously
Select "boot without CD support"
At the prompt type and press Enter after each:

cd
d:\ **Note:use the actual drive letter that the setup files are on if not
on d:**
Type in the full path to the folder where the setup files are and include
setup.exe, such as:
d:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe

Your Windows install should now begin using the files on the hard drive.

Have fun and good luck.


--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> I'm glad I asked this. My CD drive hasn't been working lately and I
> hadn't bothered getting it fixed. It appears from what you say that the
> CD drive is necessary to install a new hard drive. Or is there a way
> around that?
>
> In any case, I've obviously got to get that CD drive fixed or replaced.
>
>
>
> Brian A. wrote:
>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will
>> also need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows
>> does not support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the
>> size of the drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives
>> larger than 64GB and possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>>
>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of
>> the drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be
>> the Master and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>>
>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
>> drive to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the
>> wrong drive. Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the
>> Primary IDE on the motherboard and the other end, where the
>> connectors are closer to one another, to the harddrive. Make sure the
>> drive is set for either Single or Master, Single doesn't always work.
>> Connect the power to the drive.
>>
>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the
>> disk or
>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot
>> the machine
>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>>
>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
>> Repartition a Hard Disk
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>>
>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk
>> in the CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>>
>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD
>> drive letter you noted earlier.**
>>
>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you
>> will be asked for it.
>>
>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector
>> between the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you
>> want them or keep them where their at and set the path to them within
>> the app that uses them.
>>
>> Have fun and good luck.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >
>> >
>> > I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
>> > failing. However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I
>> > would want to keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on
>> > the new drive.
>> >
>> > Two questions:
>> >
>> > How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
>> > there a simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to
>> > go through a big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as
>> > insurance?
>> >
>> > If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
>> > backup medium), how do I do that?
>> >
>> > If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
>> > drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more
>> > likely buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me
>> > through it.
>> >
>> > I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>> >
>> > Thanks much.
>> >
>> > Larry
>
>

[Bill in Co.]

Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he does this,
all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it, but NOT
the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive). He
would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must be
missing something..

Brian A. wrote:
> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will also
> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows does not
> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size of the
> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than 64GB and
> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>
> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of the
> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be the
Master
> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>
> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
drive
> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong drive.
> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on the
> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to one
> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either Single or
> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the drive.
>
> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the disk
> or
> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot the
> machine
> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>
> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition
a
> Hard Disk
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>
> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk in the
> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>
> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD drive
> letter you noted earlier.**
>
> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you will
> be asked for it.
>
> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector between
> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you want
them
> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the app that
> uses them.
>
> Have fun and good luck.
>
>
> --
>
> Brian A.
>
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Larry" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.
>>
>> Two questions:
>>
>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>>
>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
>> backup medium), how do I do that?
>>
>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more likely
>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.
>>
>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>>
>> Thanks much.
>>
>> Larry

[Brian A.]

No, you're not missing anything. The OP mentioned copying data over and I
took it as such. If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the
manufacturers disk or another utility that accomplishes that. Some food for
thought for the OP: I myself would do a fresh install and then forego the
task of reinstalling only the apps I actually use, not the ones I may use
but want them there just in case, those could wait until they were truly
needed.

--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bill in Co." > wrote in message
...
> Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he does
> this,
> all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it, but NOT
> the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive). He
> would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must be
> missing something..
>
> Brian A. wrote:
>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will
>> also
>> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows does not
>> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size of the
>> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than 64GB
>> and
>> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>>
>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of the
>> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be the
> Master
>> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>>
>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
> drive
>> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong drive.
>> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on the
>> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to one
>> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either Single
>> or
>> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the drive.
>>
>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the
>> disk
>> or
>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot the
>> machine
>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>>
>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition
> a
>> Hard Disk
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>>
>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk in
>> the
>> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>>
>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD
>> drive
>> letter you noted earlier.**
>>
>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you
>> will
>> be asked for it.
>>
>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector between
>> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you want
> them
>> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the app that
>> uses them.
>>
>> Have fun and good luck.
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A.
>>
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
>>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
>>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.
>>>
>>> Two questions:
>>>
>>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
>>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
>>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>>>
>>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
>>> backup medium), how do I do that?
>>>
>>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
>>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more likely
>>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.
>>>
>>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>>>
>>> Thanks much.
>>>
>>> Larry
>
>

[Satellite Man]

The OP stated he wanted a simple one step operation. The closest thing to
this would be XXCopy. Here it is: http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm Larry,
this is nowhere near a one step operation...nothing relating to computers
is, but it works and is relatively simple. You will find step-by-step
instructions at the link. Scroll to the end for the download offered in .zip
compression. I assume you are familiar with .zip files. GL!

HTH,
DTV
"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
...
No, you're not missing anything. The OP mentioned copying data over and I
took it as such. If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the
manufacturers disk or another utility that accomplishes that. Some food for
thought for the OP: I myself would do a fresh install and then forego the
task of reinstalling only the apps I actually use, not the ones I may use
but want them there just in case, those could wait until they were truly
needed.

--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bill in Co." > wrote in message
...
> Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he does
> this,
> all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it, but NOT
> the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive). He
> would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must be
> missing something..
>
> Brian A. wrote:
>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will
>> also
>> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows does not
>> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size of the
>> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than 64GB
>> and
>> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>>
>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of the
>> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be the
> Master
>> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>>
>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
> drive
>> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong drive.
>> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on the
>> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to one
>> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either Single
>> or
>> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the drive.
>>
>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the
>> disk
>> or
>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot the
>> machine
>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>>
>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition
> a
>> Hard Disk
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>>
>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk in
>> the
>> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>>
>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD
>> drive
>> letter you noted earlier.**
>>
>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you
>> will
>> be asked for it.
>>
>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector between
>> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you want
> them
>> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the app that
>> uses them.
>>
>> Have fun and good luck.
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A.
>>
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
>>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
>>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.
>>>
>>> Two questions:
>>>
>>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
>>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
>>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>>>
>>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
>>> backup medium), how do I do that?
>>>
>>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
>>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more likely
>>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.
>>>
>>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>>>
>>> Thanks much.
>>>
>>> Larry
>
>

[Brian A.]

If that is the case, then the simplest way is as I stated:
If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the manufacturers disk
or another utility that accomplishes that.

--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Satellite Man" > wrote in message
...
> The OP stated he wanted a simple one step operation. The closest thing to
> this would be XXCopy. Here it is: http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm
> Larry,
> this is nowhere near a one step operation...nothing relating to computers
> is, but it works and is relatively simple. You will find step-by-step
> instructions at the link. Scroll to the end for the download offered in
> .zip
> compression. I assume you are familiar with .zip files. GL!
>
> HTH,
> DTV
> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
> ...
> No, you're not missing anything. The OP mentioned copying data over and I
> took it as such. If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the
> manufacturers disk or another utility that accomplishes that. Some food
> for
> thought for the OP: I myself would do a fresh install and then forego the
> task of reinstalling only the apps I actually use, not the ones I may use
> but want them there just in case, those could wait until they were truly
> needed.
>
> --
>
> Brian A.
>
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
> ...
>> Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he does
>> this,
>> all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it, but
>> NOT
>> the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive). He
>> would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must be
>> missing something..
>>
>> Brian A. wrote:
>>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you will
>>> also
>>> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows does not
>>> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size of the
>>> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than 64GB
>>> and
>>> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>>>
>>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon cable,
>>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top of the
>>> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be the
>> Master
>>> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>>>
>>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the new
>> drive
>>> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong drive.
>>> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on the
>>> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to one
>>> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either Single
>>> or
>>> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the drive.
>>>
>>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format the
>>> disk
>>> or
>>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and boot the
>>> machine
>>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>>>
>>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
>>> Repartition
>> a
>>> Hard Disk
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>>>
>>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup disk in
>>> the
>>> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>>>
>>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned CD
>>> drive
>>> letter you noted earlier.**
>>>
>>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as you
>>> will
>>> be asked for it.
>>>
>>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers needed:
>>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector
>>> between
>>> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
>>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you want
>> them
>>> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the app that
>>> uses them.
>>>
>>> Have fun and good luck.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Brian A.
>>>
>>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>>
>>>
>>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be failing.
>>>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would want to
>>>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new drive.
>>>>
>>>> Two questions:
>>>>
>>>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is there a
>>>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go through a
>>>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>>>>
>>>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as a
>>>> backup medium), how do I do that?
>>>>
>>>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive hard
>>>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more
>>>> likely
>>>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me through it.
>>>>
>>>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks much.
>>>>
>>>> Larry
>>
>>
>
>

[Larry]

Interesting. There is a huge collection of files under
Windows\Options\Cabs adding up to over 200 MB, but it doesn't seem to be
the same contents as the W98 CD. For example, I did a search for
Windows Messaging, WMS.exe and Microsoft Fax, awfax.exe, which I know
are on the Windows 98 CD, and they are not here. But maybe that's
because they are not essential parts of the operating system.

Larry



Brian A. wrote:
> No, the CD drive is not necessary to install a new drive. It is only
> necessary if you want to install an OS on it unless the Win98 setup
> files are on your harddrive already. Most manufacturers place them in
> C:\Windows\Options\Cabs although they may place them elsewhere. Use
> find to see if you can locate them, many will show as win98_##.cab.
>
> In the named box type: *.cab
> Select the c: drive to look in and click find.
>
> If you happen on a folder with many many .cab files named as above,
> bingo, you've got them on hand in the drive. Write down the entire
> path to the folder to use in DOS. If any directories or folders have
> names longer than 8+3, 8 characters for the name +3 for the extension
> then you will need to get the DOS name of the directory/folder. To
> do this right click on the folder and click Properties. The dos name
> will be shown in the window that comes up.
> ex: Program Files has the DOS name Progra~1
>
> In this case, after you have partitioned/formatted the drive:
> Shut down and install the second drive as explained previously
> Boot with a 98 boot disk as stated previously
> Select "boot without CD support"
> At the prompt type and press Enter after each:
>
> cd
> d:\ **Note:use the actual drive letter that the setup files are on
> if not on d:**
> Type in the full path to the folder where the setup files are and
> include setup.exe, such as:
> d:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe
>
> Your Windows install should now begin using the files on the hard
> drive.
>
> Have fun and good luck.
>
>
>
> "Larry" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm glad I asked this. My CD drive hasn't been working lately and I
> > hadn't bothered getting it fixed. It appears from what you say
> > that the CD drive is necessary to install a new hard drive. Or is
> > there a way around that?
> >
> > In any case, I've obviously got to get that CD drive fixed or
> > replaced.
> >
> >
> >
> > Brian A. wrote:
> > > If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you
> > > will also need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing,
> > > Windows does not support drives larger than 137GB. As well,
> > > depending on the size of the drive you may need to update windows
> > > FDISK for drives larger than 64GB and possibly the BIOS if yours
> > > doesn't support LBA.
> > >
> > > Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon
> > > cable, jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on
> > > the top of the drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the
> > > new drive to be the Master and set the jumper on the old drive to
> > > be the Slave.
> > >
> > > For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the
> > > new drive to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format
> > > the wrong drive. Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the
> > > Primary IDE on the motherboard and the other end, where the
> > > connectors are closer to one another, to the harddrive. Make sure
> > > the drive is set for either Single or Master, Single doesn't
> > > always work. Connect the power to the drive.
> > >
> > > Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format
> > > the disk or
> > > Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and
> > > boot the machine
> > > Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
> > > Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
> > > fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
> > >
> > > How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
> > > Repartition a Hard Disk
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
> > >
> > > Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup
> > > disk in the CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
> > >
> > > NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned
> > > CD drive letter you noted earlier.**
> > >
> > > Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as
> > > you will be asked for it.
> > >
> > > Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers
> > > needed: Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the
> > > connector between the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon
> > > cable. Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to
> > > where you want them or keep them where their at and set the path
> > > to them within the app that uses them.
> > >
> > > Have fun and good luck.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Larry" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
> > > > failing. However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I
> > > > would want to keep the old drive and use it to back up the data
> > > > on the new drive.
> > > >
> > > > Two questions:
> > > >
> > > > How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
> > > > there a simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have
> > > > to go through a big job of backing all my stuff onto other
> > > > media as insurance?
> > > >
> > > > If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive
> > > > as a backup medium), how do I do that?
> > > >
> > > > If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive
> > > > hard drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I
> > > > will more likely buy the HD from Dell so that their tech
> > > > support can walk me through it.
> > > >
> > > > I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks much.
> > > >
> > > > Larry

[Brian A.]

Are they Win98_##.cab files? If so they are the setup files.
As well if so, are you searching properly?

*.cab in Named
Name of file in Containing text
Searching the folder, not the files

I don't really see why, but it may be a possibility that Dell omitted the
files you're looking for.

--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> Interesting. There is a huge collection of files under
> Windows\Options\Cabs adding up to over 200 MB, but it doesn't seem to be
> the same contents as the W98 CD. For example, I did a search for
> Windows Messaging, WMS.exe and Microsoft Fax, awfax.exe, which I know
> are on the Windows 98 CD, and they are not here. But maybe that's
> because they are not essential parts of the operating system.
>
> Larry
>
>
>
> Brian A. wrote:
>> No, the CD drive is not necessary to install a new drive. It is only
>> necessary if you want to install an OS on it unless the Win98 setup
>> files are on your harddrive already. Most manufacturers place them in
>> C:\Windows\Options\Cabs although they may place them elsewhere. Use
>> find to see if you can locate them, many will show as win98_##.cab.
>>
>> In the named box type: *.cab
>> Select the c: drive to look in and click find.
>>
>> If you happen on a folder with many many .cab files named as above,
>> bingo, you've got them on hand in the drive. Write down the entire
>> path to the folder to use in DOS. If any directories or folders have
>> names longer than 8+3, 8 characters for the name +3 for the extension
>> then you will need to get the DOS name of the directory/folder. To
>> do this right click on the folder and click Properties. The dos name
>> will be shown in the window that comes up.
>> ex: Program Files has the DOS name Progra~1
>>
>> In this case, after you have partitioned/formatted the drive:
>> Shut down and install the second drive as explained previously
>> Boot with a 98 boot disk as stated previously
>> Select "boot without CD support"
>> At the prompt type and press Enter after each:
>>
>> cd
>> d:\ **Note:use the actual drive letter that the setup files are on
>> if not on d:**
>> Type in the full path to the folder where the setup files are and
>> include setup.exe, such as:
>> d:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe
>>
>> Your Windows install should now begin using the files on the hard
>> drive.
>>
>> Have fun and good luck.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > I'm glad I asked this. My CD drive hasn't been working lately and I
>> > hadn't bothered getting it fixed. It appears from what you say
>> > that the CD drive is necessary to install a new hard drive. Or is
>> > there a way around that?
>> >
>> > In any case, I've obviously got to get that CD drive fixed or
>> > replaced.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Brian A. wrote:
>> > > If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you
>> > > will also need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing,
>> > > Windows does not support drives larger than 137GB. As well,
>> > > depending on the size of the drive you may need to update windows
>> > > FDISK for drives larger than 64GB and possibly the BIOS if yours
>> > > doesn't support LBA.
>> > >
>> > > Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon
>> > > cable, jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on
>> > > the top of the drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the
>> > > new drive to be the Master and set the jumper on the old drive to
>> > > be the Slave.
>> > >
>> > > For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the
>> > > new drive to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format
>> > > the wrong drive. Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the
>> > > Primary IDE on the motherboard and the other end, where the
>> > > connectors are closer to one another, to the harddrive. Make sure
>> > > the drive is set for either Single or Master, Single doesn't
>> > > always work. Connect the power to the drive.
>> > >
>> > > Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format
>> > > the disk or
>> > > Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and
>> > > boot the machine
>> > > Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>> > > Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>> > > fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>> > >
>> > > How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
>> > > Repartition a Hard Disk
>> > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>> > >
>> > > Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup
>> > > disk in the CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>> > >
>> > > NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned
>> > > CD drive letter you noted earlier.**
>> > >
>> > > Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as
>> > > you will be asked for it.
>> > >
>> > > Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers
>> > > needed: Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the
>> > > connector between the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon
>> > > cable. Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to
>> > > where you want them or keep them where their at and set the path
>> > > to them within the app that uses them.
>> > >
>> > > Have fun and good luck.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > "Larry" > wrote in message
>> > > ...
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
>> > > > failing. However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I
>> > > > would want to keep the old drive and use it to back up the data
>> > > > on the new drive.
>> > > >
>> > > > Two questions:
>> > > >
>> > > > How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
>> > > > there a simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have
>> > > > to go through a big job of backing all my stuff onto other
>> > > > media as insurance?
>> > > >
>> > > > If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive
>> > > > as a backup medium), how do I do that?
>> > > >
>> > > > If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive
>> > > > hard drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I
>> > > > will more likely buy the HD from Dell so that their tech
>> > > > support can walk me through it.
>> > > >
>> > > > I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks much.
>> > > >
>> > > > Larry
>
>

[AlmostBob]

The files in windows\options\cabs are only the \win98 folder from the cd,
anything from the \tools or sub folders like fax messaging policies and a
lot of other useful(? or not depends on you) are not copied there

CD drives are not neccessary to install a hard drive, the drive
manufacturers site will have a utility program to format the new drive,
duplicate the old drive to the new drive and much else
IF not pretty much any drive makers utility will work with any other drive,
MaxblastWin from maxtor or Data Lifeguard from western digital both work.
and can bypass any size limitations imposed by your Bios.
--
Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://security.kolla.de
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/newsinfo/collateral.aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before use

Grateful thanks to the authors/webmasters
_


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> Interesting. There is a huge collection of files under
> Windows\Options\Cabs adding up to over 200 MB, but it doesn't seem to be
> the same contents as the W98 CD. For example, I did a search for
> Windows Messaging, WMS.exe and Microsoft Fax, awfax.exe, which I know
> are on the Windows 98 CD, and they are not here. But maybe that's
> because they are not essential parts of the operating system.
>
> Larry
>
>
>
> Brian A. wrote:
> > No, the CD drive is not necessary to install a new drive. It is only
> > necessary if you want to install an OS on it unless the Win98 setup
> > files are on your harddrive already. Most manufacturers place them in
> > C:\Windows\Options\Cabs although they may place them elsewhere. Use
> > find to see if you can locate them, many will show as win98_##.cab.
> >
> > In the named box type: *.cab
> > Select the c: drive to look in and click find.
> >
> > If you happen on a folder with many many .cab files named as above,
> > bingo, you've got them on hand in the drive. Write down the entire
> > path to the folder to use in DOS. If any directories or folders have
> > names longer than 8+3, 8 characters for the name +3 for the extension
> > then you will need to get the DOS name of the directory/folder. To
> > do this right click on the folder and click Properties. The dos name
> > will be shown in the window that comes up.
> > ex: Program Files has the DOS name Progra~1
> >
> > In this case, after you have partitioned/formatted the drive:
> > Shut down and install the second drive as explained previously
> > Boot with a 98 boot disk as stated previously
> > Select "boot without CD support"
> > At the prompt type and press Enter after each:
> >
> > cd
> > d:\ **Note:use the actual drive letter that the setup files are on
> > if not on d:**
> > Type in the full path to the folder where the setup files are and
> > include setup.exe, such as:
> > d:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe
> >
> > Your Windows install should now begin using the files on the hard
> > drive.
> >
> > Have fun and good luck.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Larry" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I'm glad I asked this. My CD drive hasn't been working lately and I
> > > hadn't bothered getting it fixed. It appears from what you say
> > > that the CD drive is necessary to install a new hard drive. Or is
> > > there a way around that?
> > >
> > > In any case, I've obviously got to get that CD drive fixed or
> > > replaced.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian A. wrote:
> > > > If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you
> > > > will also need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing,
> > > > Windows does not support drives larger than 137GB. As well,
> > > > depending on the size of the drive you may need to update windows
> > > > FDISK for drives larger than 64GB and possibly the BIOS if yours
> > > > doesn't support LBA.
> > > >
> > > > Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon
> > > > cable, jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on
> > > > the top of the drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the
> > > > new drive to be the Master and set the jumper on the old drive to
> > > > be the Slave.
> > > >
> > > > For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the
> > > > new drive to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format
> > > > the wrong drive. Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the
> > > > Primary IDE on the motherboard and the other end, where the
> > > > connectors are closer to one another, to the harddrive. Make sure
> > > > the drive is set for either Single or Master, Single doesn't
> > > > always work. Connect the power to the drive.
> > > >
> > > > Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format
> > > > the disk or
> > > > Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and
> > > > boot the machine
> > > > Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
> > > > Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
> > > > fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
> > > >
> > > > How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
> > > > Repartition a Hard Disk
> > > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
> > > >
> > > > Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup
> > > > disk in the CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
> > > >
> > > > NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned
> > > > CD drive letter you noted earlier.**
> > > >
> > > > Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as
> > > > you will be asked for it.
> > > >
> > > > Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers
> > > > needed: Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the
> > > > connector between the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon
> > > > cable. Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to
> > > > where you want them or keep them where their at and set the path
> > > > to them within the app that uses them.
> > > >
> > > > Have fun and good luck.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Larry" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
> > > > > failing. However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I
> > > > > would want to keep the old drive and use it to back up the data
> > > > > on the new drive.
> > > > >
> > > > > Two questions:
> > > > >
> > > > > How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
> > > > > there a simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have
> > > > > to go through a big job of backing all my stuff onto other
> > > > > media as insurance?
> > > > >
> > > > > If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive
> > > > > as a backup medium), how do I do that?
> > > > >
> > > > > If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive
> > > > > hard drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I
> > > > > will more likely buy the HD from Dell so that their tech
> > > > > support can walk me through it.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks much.
> > > > >
> > > > > Larry
>
>

[Larry]

However, to use xxcopy or some similar utility involves creating a boot
disk and starting the computer using that, and I have been unable to do
that with diagnostics such as PowerMax and Data Advisor. When I've
started the computer using the diskettes created by those programs, I
ran into various error messages as explained in another thread. Glee
tells me that this indicates something wrong with my RAM.

Larry


"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
...
> If that is the case, then the simplest way is as I stated:
> If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the manufacturers
disk
> or another utility that accomplishes that.
>
> --
>
> Brian A.
>
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Satellite Man" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OP stated he wanted a simple one step operation. The closest
thing to
> > this would be XXCopy. Here it is: http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm
> > Larry,
> > this is nowhere near a one step operation...nothing relating to
computers
> > is, but it works and is relatively simple. You will find
step-by-step
> > instructions at the link. Scroll to the end for the download offered
in
> > .zip
> > compression. I assume you are familiar with .zip files. GL!
> >
> > HTH,
> > DTV
> > "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
> > ...
> > No, you're not missing anything. The OP mentioned copying data over
and I
> > took it as such. If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use
the
> > manufacturers disk or another utility that accomplishes that. Some
food
> > for
> > thought for the OP: I myself would do a fresh install and then
forego the
> > task of reinstalling only the apps I actually use, not the ones I
may use
> > but want them there just in case, those could wait until they were
truly
> > needed.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Brian A.
> >
> > Conflicts start where information lacks.
> > http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he
does
> >> this,
> >> all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it,
but
> >> NOT
> >> the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive).
He
> >> would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must
be
> >> missing something..
> >>
> >> Brian A. wrote:
> >>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you
will
> >>> also
> >>> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows
does not
> >>> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size
of the
> >>> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than
64GB
> >>> and
> >>> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
> >>>
> >>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon
cable,
> >>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top
of the
> >>> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be
the
> >> Master
> >>> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
> >>>
> >>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the
new
> >> drive
> >>> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong
drive.
> >>> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on
the
> >>> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to
one
> >>> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either
Single
> >>> or
> >>> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the
drive.
> >>>
> >>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format
the
> >>> disk
> >>> or
> >>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and
boot the
> >>> machine
> >>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
> >>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
> >>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
> >>>
> >>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
> >>> Repartition
> >> a
> >>> Hard Disk
> >>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
> >>>
> >>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup
disk in
> >>> the
> >>> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
> >>>
> >>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned
CD
> >>> drive
> >>> letter you noted earlier.**
> >>>
> >>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as
you
> >>> will
> >>> be asked for it.
> >>>
> >>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers
needed:
> >>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector
> >>> between
> >>> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
> >>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you
want
> >> them
> >>> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the
app that
> >>> uses them.
> >>>
> >>> Have fun and good luck.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>>
> >>> Brian A.
> >>>
> >>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> >>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> "Larry" > wrote in message
> >>> ...
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
failing.
> >>>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would
want to
> >>>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new
drive.
> >>>>
> >>>> Two questions:
> >>>>
> >>>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
there a
> >>>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go
through a
> >>>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
> >>>>
> >>>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as
a
> >>>> backup medium), how do I do that?
> >>>>
> >>>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive
hard
> >>>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more
> >>>> likely
> >>>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me
through it.
> >>>>
> >>>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks much.
> >>>>
> >>>> Larry
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>

[Brian A.]

You should then follow Glen's advice on testing your RAM, which I would tend
to believe he gave you.

--

Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> However, to use xxcopy or some similar utility involves creating a boot
> disk and starting the computer using that, and I have been unable to do
> that with diagnostics such as PowerMax and Data Advisor. When I've
> started the computer using the diskettes created by those programs, I
> ran into various error messages as explained in another thread. Glee
> tells me that this indicates something wrong with my RAM.
>
> Larry
>
>
> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
> ...
>> If that is the case, then the simplest way is as I stated:
>> If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use the manufacturers
> disk
>> or another utility that accomplishes that.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A.
>>
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Satellite Man" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > The OP stated he wanted a simple one step operation. The closest
> thing to
>> > this would be XXCopy. Here it is: http://www.xxcopy.com/xxcopy10.htm
>> > Larry,
>> > this is nowhere near a one step operation...nothing relating to
> computers
>> > is, but it works and is relatively simple. You will find
> step-by-step
>> > instructions at the link. Scroll to the end for the download offered
> in
>> > .zip
>> > compression. I assume you are familiar with .zip files. GL!
>> >
>> > HTH,
>> > DTV
>> > "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
>> > ...
>> > No, you're not missing anything. The OP mentioned copying data over
> and I
>> > took it as such. If the OP wants to copy the entire drive he can use
> the
>> > manufacturers disk or another utility that accomplishes that. Some
> food
>> > for
>> > thought for the OP: I myself would do a fresh install and then
> forego the
>> > task of reinstalling only the apps I actually use, not the ones I
> may use
>> > but want them there just in case, those could wait until they were
> truly
>> > needed.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > Brian A.
>> >
>> > Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> > http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >
>> >
>> > "Bill in Co." > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> >> Am I missing something here Brian? Unless I misread this, if he
> does
>> >> this,
>> >> all he will have is a system with Windows freshly installed on it,
> but
>> >> NOT
>> >> the *programs*, (which were left installed over on the old drive).
> He
>> >> would have to reinstall all the programs all over again. I must
> be
>> >> missing something..
>> >>
>> >> Brian A. wrote:
>> >>> If you plan to purchase a hard drive larger than 120GB, then you
> will
>> >>> also
>> >>> need a controller card that supports 48bit addressing, Windows
> does not
>> >>> support drives larger than 137GB. As well, depending on the size
> of the
>> >>> drive you may need to update windows FDISK for drives larger than
> 64GB
>> >>> and
>> >>> possibly the BIOS if yours doesn't support LBA.
>> >>>
>> >>> Once you have the new HD, look at the backend where the ribbon
> cable,
>> >>> jumpers and power connects. Most drives have a diagram on the top
> of the
>> >>> drive for jumper settings. Set the jumper on the new drive to be
> the
>> >> Master
>> >>> and set the jumper on the old drive to be the Slave.
>> >>>
>> >>> For now pull the old drive from the machine and install only the
> new
>> >> drive
>> >>> to avoid possible corruption or worse, fdisk and format the wrong
> drive.
>> >>> Connect the longer end of the ribbon cable to the Primary IDE on
> the
>> >>> motherboard and the other end, where the connectors are closer to
> one
>> >>> another, to the harddrive. Make sure the drive is set for either
> Single
>> >>> or
>> >>> Master, Single doesn't always work. Connect the power to the
> drive.
>> >>>
>> >>> Either use the manufacturers disk if supplied to partition/format
> the
>> >>> disk
>> >>> or
>> >>> Put a 98 boot disk that has CD support in the Floppy drive and
> boot the
>> >>> machine
>> >>> Select Boot with CD support from the presented menu.
>> >>> Note the drive letter assigned the CD drive near the end of boot.
>> >>> fdisk (partition) and fromat the drive.
>> >>>
>> >>> How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or
>> >>> Repartition
>> >> a
>> >>> Hard Disk
>> >>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q255867/
>> >>>
>> >>> Once the drive is partitioned/formatted, place the Win98 setup
> disk in
>> >>> the
>> >>> CD drive. Then type at the prompt and press Enter:
>> >>>
>> >>> NotedCDdriveLetter:\setup.exe **Note: type the actual assigned
> CD
>> >>> drive
>> >>> letter you noted earlier.**
>> >>>
>> >>> Make sure you have your ProductKey (not the ProductID) on hand as
> you
>> >>> will
>> >>> be asked for it.
>> >>>
>> >>> Once you have a fresh install of Windows with all the drivers
> needed:
>> >>> Shut down and install the old drive as the Slave on the connector
>> >>> between
>> >>> the Master drive and mobo IDE on the ribbon cable.
>> >>> Boot up and you will be able to drag/drop data files to where you
> want
>> >> them
>> >>> or keep them where their at and set the path to them within the
> app that
>> >>> uses them.
>> >>>
>> >>> Have fun and good luck.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>>
>> >>> Brian A.
>> >>>
>> >>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> >>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> "Larry" > wrote in message
>> >>> ...
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I'm planning to buy a new hard drive as my present one may be
> failing.
>> >>>> However, my present one may also be ok, in which case I would
> want to
>> >>>> keep the old drive and use it to back up the data on the new
> drive.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Two questions:
>> >>>>
>> >>>> How do I copy the data from the old drive to the new drive? Is
> there a
>> >>>> simple, one-step way of doing this so that I don't have to go
> through a
>> >>>> big job of backing all my stuff onto other media as insurance?
>> >>>>
>> >>>> If I decide to have both drives installed (using the old drive as
> a
>> >>>> backup medium), how do I do that?
>> >>>>
>> >>>> If this is relatively simple, I will look to buy an inexpensive
> hard
>> >>>> drive and do the job on my own. If it's complicated, I will more
>> >>>> likely
>> >>>> buy the HD from Dell so that their tech support can walk me
> through it.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I have a Dell Dimension with Windows 98.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanks much.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Larry
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>