Hi

I have the following:

1.3ghz AMD Athlon
256mb RAM
Running Windows ME
Compaq 5150wm

Recently I began getting a windows protection error (Blue Screen), a cannot write to drive C error, and am unable to run scandisk or defragment (freezes upon start and locks up). Also having problems running or installing some applications.

I am pretty sure that my harddrive is going, and fast. I have done a backup, and know that if my harddrive is going a restore will not do any good, but my question is, if I buy a new harddrive can I use the quick restore disk on this harddrive? My logic tells me no, but I would like to know for sure. And if not, is there a program that I could use to transfer to a new harddrive then use a quick restore or something?

Thank you in advance!

p.s. I only ask about the quick restore disk because I do not have an operating system disk.

I take tech. support calls for compaq. You can run the QR on a new HDD. If it doesn't work follow these steps. You must have Quick Restore cds and not the Recovery CD. Our Quick Restore center phone number is 18008412761. They may not have you QR's availible any more.

1. Power up machine hit NUM Lock and verify that the light is on.
2. Text will come on the screen metioning Quick Restore and it will be flashing. Hit CAPS Lock.
3. Wait for the text to stop flashing and hit NUM LOCK.
4. If you come to a language screen choose english (you may not get this)
5. At the welcome to compaq screen hit CTRL + Q.
6. It will mention Analysing partitions and you may have to hit F10 to continue.
7. It should asked you for your load code your model number should appear in the list.

Email me if you have trouble

SmartAssU-
Before you install a new hard drive, you need to make sure that you dont have a virus on the old one. You can install a hard drive and simply copy the files from old to new. What you do is put the new drive in ( at the end of the ribbon cable with the old one in the middle) and set it as slave. Then when computer starts, under my computer, it should list the new drive. Highlight C:/ and copy it to the new one. But I would check for a virus before you do anything.

To: Crow

The method you mentioned will not create a bootable system disk. In fact, I'd be suprised if the OS allowed the in-use system files to be copied.

The advice from the Compaq guy is the way to go. Unless you can get hold of a ME installation CD, a far better idea than using a recovery CD that'll copy all the extra junk with it.