The hard drive on my eMachines T6536 desktop is failing and about to die. I want to replace it, but am worried if I'd have to purchase Windows XP. I have the system restore disc- shouldn't I be able to replace the hard drive and just run the system restore? Would that install Windows on the new hard drive?

If you have the restore disc then you can just buy another hard drive and install XP on your new drive. If the system restore is on the hard drive itself then you are going to have to make a copy of it and burn it onto a cd before you hard drive dies. Iron Sharpens Iron.

What is it that makes you think your HDD is Failing? Have you run the Manufacturer's Diagnostic Software? When you buy a New HDD you get software that allows you to install the new Drive as a Slave Drive and transfer your current set up to it before you install the NEW HDD as your Primary HDD. No need for Restore CDs unless you think you have Virus/Trojan Problem. Or you just want to do a Clean install on the New HDD. There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.

How would I know (or find out) if Windows XP was installed on my hard drive or my restore disc? I'd really like to not buy Windows XP again if I don't have to. The reason I believe my hard drive is failing is because it sounds horrible; like it's working really hard. Plus, I'd like to upgrade to more gig.

"like it's working really hard" In other words you have alot of HD activity going on ? This could be caused by all the crap running in the background. Find the manufacturer and run their Diagnostic. If it passes and you still want more gig's you can add a 2nd drive as a slave. look at the software that comes preinstalled on your machine http://www.emachines.com/products/p... Aol, google, mcafee, bigfix, crap & more crap. And that doesn't include the god knows what you have install or have been infected with over the years. Run msconfig, uncheck all the crap, take it off line and run it for awhile, I'll bet your "working really hard" Hd will settle down. larry

"Find the manufacturer and run their Diagnostic." How do I do that?

Download a utility called SIW. SIW should show you the brand and size of your hard drive as part of the information it is capable of generating. Once you have that post back and someone can provide a link to a drive fitness test. Most drive manufacturer's have such a fitness tool. Get SIW from the link below. http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download...