Since this is a Dell-supplied disc, it will not work on the replaced HD. You need to visit Dell site to download a file to create the hidden partition. Then you can use the DellCD to install windows. i_XpUser

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http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1082607&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=19&s=dhs#One https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&journalid=&treeid=FFA33DA99941FEDFE030030ABD62041A StopBadware

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The problems these recovery CDs cause are legion...; posts 7 and 8 should get you going...

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Thanks. This makes since. We'll retry this weekend. Ya'll are great. --Ann

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Ok. We haven't tried your suggestions, yet. However, my husband did some research of his own and someone has suggested a copy/paste method. The theory is to transfer everything from the C: to the new drive, including the operating system. Then, the plan is to swap the cable connectors and assign the new drive as master and the old drive as slave, power down and reboot. Question #1 Will this work? --Ann p.s. Questions #2, 3, and 4 won't matter if the answer to #1 is no.

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Rather than copy "everything" (OS/apps/utils/data etc...) to the new/larger drive... (more thoughts etc. on that below), perhaps simply use the new drive as data-only.. Transfer (via XP Explorer) all data etc. from old to new drive; use new drive for storage only. Verify all transferred files are valid/accessible etc., then erase them from the current/older drive. This will free up space on the older drive and you have mases of space on the newr drive? Equally you could leave them on the old drive as well as having copies on new drive; any new files/data etc. would go only to new drive? If using new drive for data only... Partition the new drive to have both Primary and Extended partitions; make Primary large enough to accomodate XP (or another OS) installation - with apps/utils etc.; it could be perhaps 10Gig. and formatted as fat32. Extended can be balance of drive or sub-divided into two or more logical-drives - for easier data access/defrags etc...; again fat32 You could set this drive up from within current XP installation (drive manageme nt utils); or use a '98 boot-disk - but be "very careful" to address correct drive when using '98 Fdisk/format utils... Perhaps disconnect current/working drive whilst you use the '98 bootdisk with the newer drive - safety precaution? By establishing a Primary partition + Extended partition on new drive, you have the option in the future to install an OS etc. and make the drive fully bootable etc... But until you do that you can use Primary for data storage too... An all-in-one drive (single partition only for everything...) is not really a good way to run a system... Data separated from the OS etc. is wiser; allows for recovery/re-installation of a damaged OS etc. (including a reformat of thePrimary partition only if need-be) - without affecting the data areas (unless one is a little careless...) *********************** Re' copying "everything" to new drive... I have a feeling that you may still need that irritating "hidden partition" even if you did a straight cut/paste routine... And the cut/paste approach may not/won't take across the hidden partition - as you may not/won't be able to access it? However... Most new drives come with a utility that allows you transfer (copy) the old drive across entirely... I "think" this includes the hidden recovery partition too - if exists (and it usually does on most major brand systems...) If you don't have the util - it wasn't with the drive when you bought it, you can "usually" download it from the drive-manufacturer's web-site. What make drive is it? Also the Maxtor utilities often work OK with other makes of drive. If the util isn't on the web-site for your drive (and it's not a Maxtor) then you might consider downloading the Maxtor util etc...? (Also the Seagat e utilsmay work - and they're part of Maxtor anyway...) It won't (didn't ought to...) hurt to try the Maxtor util if needs-be? Other option... you use a drive-copy util - one of the standard $$$/£££ items that are around; possibly Norton Ghost wil do the jobtoo? Before you start anything though... first BACKUP all data etc - and any critical drivers you mave stored on the current drive; i.e. copy to removeable media - and verify the copies are accessible/valid - before you go any further thereafter. Remember too, you will have to make the new drive bootable (fixboot/fixmbr routine via a CD boot - or the 6 floppies + CD) - regardless of how make the copy... A couple of post etc. re' this issue - includng the WPA item you need to be acrross... http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/146512.html http://www.geocities.com/pc_files_transfer/ the latter reference discusses Acronis... It gets excellent reports here from assorted users... Again... before you go any further - BACKUP/coppy off the drive completely - all data/critical downloads/drivers etc.; and verify the copies are OK. Safety first...

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Success! We used the Maxtor Utilities to prepare the new drive as our new boot drive. Then we took out the old tiny boot drive, switched its jumper to Master, moved it to the Master bedroom, put our other add-on drive back in and rebooted successfully. It was all as smooth as silk! Thanks so much to all of you for your tips and suggestions. As I've said so many times before, ya'll are awesome! --Ann

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