daunting task of installing a new hard drive
I have always found a way to shoot myself in the foot, and this time is no different.
I thought that installing a new hard drive that replaces an older one is such an easy task.
I thought all I needed was swap hard drives, pop in a cd and install drivers and I am set.
Well, I am encountering all sorts of problems.
I am wondering if any kind soul would be patient enough to help me out of this mess.
I can still use my old hard drive but the reason I am replacing it is because it is a 4g hard drive and it is full.
I figured I just replace it.
I am giving all the points I have and will buy more if I have to to get assistance with this.
Thanks in advance
I thought that installing a new hard drive that replaces an older one is such an easy task.
I thought all I needed was swap hard drives, pop in a cd and install drivers and I am set.
Well, I am encountering all sorts of problems.
I am wondering if any kind soul would be patient enough to help me out of this mess.
I can still use my old hard drive but the reason I am replacing it is because it is a 4g hard drive and it is full.
I figured I just replace it.
I am giving all the points I have and will buy more if I have to to get assistance with this.
Thanks in advance
SOLUTION
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SOLUTION
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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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No, this is not "rocket science".
If you can verify that the BIOS has found your HD and can recognize it at the proper size, you are set for an O/S install.
A message that says "missign O/S" or something to that effect, is indeed a message that tells you that the boot media (usually the HD) is not a system drive (doesn't have an O/S on it) but it is probably found in BIOS as a HD without any problems.
Next step is to install your O/S.
You need to have some kind of install media that is bootable - a floppy or a CD. Insert this media in a proper drive (FDD or CD unit) and try to boot up the computer. If this does not succeed, you may have to get into the BIOS setup to change the order of boot drives to reflect the situation - the computer must try to boot from CD or FDD before trying the HD - the HD being empty.
So:
"Should I assume then that when it keeps telling me "missing O/S, insert o/s cd, does that mean that hd installation is not right?"
No, the installation is probably OK, but a new hard drive is usually clean (no O/S) so you need to run through the O/S install procedure.
To proceed with this you really must be able to verify that the computer has recognized the new HD (a BIOS thing, and you can only check this in the POST messages or through the BIOS setup) and you have to have an O/S install media (CD or floppy).
Accessing the BIOS setup is normally done through a key press during the start-up process. See the computer manual or a hint on-screen during startup.
Regards
/RID
If you can verify that the BIOS has found your HD and can recognize it at the proper size, you are set for an O/S install.
A message that says "missign O/S" or something to that effect, is indeed a message that tells you that the boot media (usually the HD) is not a system drive (doesn't have an O/S on it) but it is probably found in BIOS as a HD without any problems.
Next step is to install your O/S.
You need to have some kind of install media that is bootable - a floppy or a CD. Insert this media in a proper drive (FDD or CD unit) and try to boot up the computer. If this does not succeed, you may have to get into the BIOS setup to change the order of boot drives to reflect the situation - the computer must try to boot from CD or FDD before trying the HD - the HD being empty.
So:
"Should I assume then that when it keeps telling me "missing O/S, insert o/s cd, does that mean that hd installation is not right?"
No, the installation is probably OK, but a new hard drive is usually clean (no O/S) so you need to run through the O/S install procedure.
To proceed with this you really must be able to verify that the computer has recognized the new HD (a BIOS thing, and you can only check this in the POST messages or through the BIOS setup) and you have to have an O/S install media (CD or floppy).
Accessing the BIOS setup is normally done through a key press during the start-up process. See the computer manual or a hint on-screen during startup.
Regards
/RID
SOLUTION
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ASKER
I apologize again for "running away" from this.
It has been resolved with all your help.
Using rid's feedback helped me install the harddrive successfully.
Thanks and again I apologize for not coming back here sooner to give you your due credit.
It took me awhile to resolve this given that this is my first hard drive install.
It has been resolved with all your help.
Using rid's feedback helped me install the harddrive successfully.
Thanks and again I apologize for not coming back here sooner to give you your due credit.
It took me awhile to resolve this given that this is my first hard drive install.
I'm please to hear our commetns helped you.
/RID
/RID
Thank you much. : )
ASKER
I went to mass right after my last post, sorry about that.
According to you:
>Once the HD is installed, hooked up and recognized by >BIOS you should install your operating system.
Should I assume then that when it keeps telling me "missing O/S, insert o/s cd, does that mean that hd installation is not right?
I am getting conflicting feedbacks from posts I read elsewhere where I keep hearing that installation should be left for seasoned professionals.