Can anyone tell me how to install a new hard drive as my old one has stop working. also do I need to format it if so how?? then how do I get a new system on it like win 98 or xp.
Also how do I get my bios to recognise it

Hello mick66uk, welcome to CompuForums. I hope that you can come back and post often even after we have answered your questions - after all this doesn't cost you a penny. Also it would be great if you could add yourself to the member map.

Firstly we need a bit more information from you. I am not sure what your experience level is but I'll assume you know the basics about what's inside the actual computer.
Do the old and new hard drives both have the same sort of connectors?

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Hi Ash
And yes both have the same connections the only thing is that the drive is bigger i.e. 80gig.
Iv already had one of my other computers apart to look at that and put it back together but i just cant understand the one Im working on now. all I want to do is replace the hard drive and put xp or win 98 back on it but not sure what im doing.....

Firstly, around how old is the computer? If it came with 98 then I would guess that the hard drive is connected to the motherboard by a wide, thin IDE ribbon cable?

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Ash
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Hi Ash
and yes it is getting on and is conected by a ide ribbon as well as the five pin conector

As long as the connectors are the same on both the old and new hard drive replacing it will be easy. Just take the power and IDE cable out of the old drive and connect them to the new one. However you will need to make sure that the jumpers are set right - usually the manual will explain this but it should be set to "Master". If your manual does not explain the correct jumper settings then give us the drive manufacturer and model and we can get the right settings.

Once everything is fitted and the computer boots, it will be likely a message similar to "Operating system not found" will appear. This is normal - once you get to this stage let us know and we can explain how to install Windows.

Oh and it would be great if you could put yourself on the member map: http://www.compuforums.org/vbgooglemapme.php

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Ash
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Hello again
If i set the jumpers on the new hard drive the same as they where on the old one will it work ok???

It is likley that they will but often jumper settings vary between manufacteurs. The only way of telling if it works is by booting up the machine and noting any errors it produces.

To save time then you don't have to mount the hard drive back into the case each time you try a jumper setting, or put the cover back onto the computer. Just don't touch any cables while your computer is live.

[Note that you agreed when signing up that we are not responsible for anything that happens, including death, by following or mis-following our advice.]

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Ash
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