help wanted/computer guru please

[Andy M.]

Re: help wanted/computer guru please

Andy,

Get an external USB hard drive like the ones mentioned above and hook it up. From Windows XP or Vista you have 2 options. WinXP has the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" and Vista has the "Windows Easy Transfer" wizard. Both OS's also have a "Backup" utility.

You can find these utilities in by going to Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools

With the Backup utility you can backup your entire hard drive including OS and reinstall it on a new hard drive. With Vista all you would have to do is boot up on the Vista DVD and run the Restore without reinstalling the OS first. With XP you would need to reinstall the OS first, then do a restore. If you use a backup and restore, you don't have to reinstall and reconfigure your apps and settings.

If you plan on installing a fresh operating system then the wizards are the best way to go. They will backup up whatever data and settings you choose and let you transfer them to the new computer.

What are the error messages you are getting?

Mike

Hey Mike,

At first when I would start the machine up, I would get a blinking cursor in the top left hand corner of the monitor. Dell would talk me through that on the phone. Both times that this happened they had talked to me about replacing the HD, so it must be something they have known about. But now at start up I get a critical hard drive error warning message where I have two options, I can hit F1 to continue or it tells me to back everything up.

I have had some BIOS issues also.

A Dell tech is supposed to come to the house to install the HD, I just have to back everything up as he will not do that.

Andy

[Andy M.]

Re: help wanted/computer guru please

Sorry to hear about that, Andy...

How much space did you use on the hard drive?

If you have an iPod, you can store some files on there, too.


Well, let me know if you need any help replacing the drive and reinstalling Windows.

Chris

Hey Chris,

I don't think I have used that much space on the HD at all. I try to keep the clutter to a minimum. Most of our family photos are already burned to disc just in case this thing ever crashes and I lose everything. Not to mention I don't want to slow it down.


I do have some word stuff, school projects, music, etc that I will be getting off of it today.

Andy

[Mikejl]

Re: help wanted/computer guru please

Andy,

Glad to hear that dell will replace the hard drive for you. I recommend you use the Wizard to transfer your files, setting, favorites, email account, etc... You can transfer directly to CD or DVD. The wizard will walk you through it.

After the Dell tech finishes, your computer OS will most likely be in the same pristine state as when you first got it.

You use the transfer wizard on the new OS to copy your files, settings, favorites and ect... from the CD / DVD onto the new drive.

Let me know if you need any help.

Mike

[roushstage2]

Re: help wanted/computer guru please

External HD will be the fastest and easiest, but also the most expensive. I just recently had to back everything up on my laptop and went the DVD route. Takes a bit of time (I had to use about 6-7 DVDs), but still about $100-$150 cheaper than buying an external HD. If you have the time and patience, I'd say go the DVD route. If you want something you can use over and over again, just in case it crashes one day, I'd say go with an external HD. I believe there are programs you can get that will backup up your info every so often....

[Andy M.]

Re: help wanted/computer guru please

Just a quick update. The new hard drive was installed this morning. The machine is running great now. Time will tell. It already had the OS installed so that is all good. Just got done running most of the updates with the first start up. Probably still going to invest in an external HD to prevent all of this backing up that I just did.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys!

Andy