installing new hard drive and formatting

new_fixxer · 05-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Friend gave me an older gateway system with Windows ME on it and told me the hard drive is going bad. Sister gave it to him about 3-4 years ago and she used it constantly and would leave it on all the time. So, now he says the hard drive is going out. A friend of his sister, which by theway is a computer "whiz" from what I'm told... So, what my question is this.... do I format the new drive before installing it as "master" or after? then How do reinstall the windows onto the new drive. Sould the system see the cd rom drive in order to run the cd's. Oh by the way, the computer will boot up fine and everything and work fine for a while then when you least expect it, it gives the "blue screen of death" like it has corrupt files or something. He, the friend of mine, ahs reloaded windows twice since the issues have begun. I just need to know how to do this because I haven't really ever done this before. I have reloaded windows and I have added memory to systems before but haven't had to cross this type bridge before. Any help I can get from here will be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide (o:

Jn 3:16

**blah789** · 05-10-2009, 03:55 AM

If you could find out the brand and model of the drive you could download hardware diagnostics from the manufacturer's site and run them on the drive and see if it's indeed bad.

On a new hard drive, you'll have to partition and format it before you install the OS, but I think Windows Me setup goes through that. I never used Windows Me, but I believe the CD-ROM was bootable. Just make sure the boot order in BIOS is set to CD-ROM first. To get into BIOS you may have to press a key like Del, F2, or F10 during the POST screen.
If for some reason the CD-ROM isn't bootable (or your system is so old it doesn't allow booting from a CD), go to http://www.bootdisk.com/ and get the floppy image. Then create your floppy and boot from it, and it should let you partition and format, then pass control to the CD-ROM drive for setup.

**spike2me** · 05-12-2009, 05:37 PM

You can also boot with a 98,DOS, or ME boot floppy. Or download and create your own boot floppy.Download a file from www.bootdisk.com. You then run this file to create a bootable floppy. It will ask you to insert a blank diskette in the floppy drive and then it will proceed to make it bootable and write the necessary files to it.
Then copy the .cab files from the ME CD to the C: drive and run Setup from there. Or better yet, install XP.

Geekgirl · 05-13-2009, 05:56 PM

spike2me please do not suggest upgrading an older machine to XP without knowing the specifications of the system.

new_fixxerdo you have the recovery software to reload windows?

new_fixxer · 05-13-2009, 08:32 PM

Yes geekgirl , i have all the disks needed for reloading windows and all but that has been done before and the machine still give the blue screen of death at will. I was wanting to actually keep ME on the machine. Like you said about xp on an older machine, I think it may function differently. Actually what my intentions are here is that I want to replace the hard-drive and reinstall ME back on the system because the errors I get from the machine periodically.

**TheOutcaste** · 05-14-2009, 04:21 AM

You can download and run drive diagnostics to test the hard drive:

Seagate/Maxtor http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools
Western Digital http://support.wdc.com/download/
IBM/Hitachi http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
Fujitsu/Seimens http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/c...utilities.html

Free Hard Drive Testing Applications:
HD Tune
HDAT2 (Diagnostics and bad sector recovery)
MHDD Low-level Diagnostics
Bootable Hitachi Drive Fitness Test Floppy or CD Image (works on most drives)

Jerry

Geekgirl · 05-14-2009, 08:21 AM

So you think the hard drive is bad and that is why it is blue screening?

Is the Windows ME cd an OEM cd or is it Recovery/Restore cds? If it is Recovery/Restore cds you can boot right from those and start the process...I have done it before.

If it is an OEM cd, just an operating system cd, then you will need to format/partition the hard drive. You will need to follow these instructions on this link
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/so...ll/inst-3.html

new_fixxer · 05-14-2009, 01:43 PM

Thanks Outcast but the machine in question is temporarily not in service online. I just acquired the machine from a friend of mine that no longer needs it as he has since retired it has bought another one for his son. I'm just wanting to get it repaired so I can have an extra form the kids homeschool use. Is there a way to download the tools to a floppy and load them in the system? Or would the tools even "fit" on a foppy?

Geekgirl, no it's not oem disks and yes it's recovery disks. If I just put the disks in if i repalce the h/d not that I want to but if it comes to that all I would have to do is start it with the recoveries in? Automatically restores the system and all? I know this may sound like a "stupid" question but actually no question is stupid unless you don't ask it. After setting the machine back up I want to get into service like I use my personal unit. Hoping I don't have to replace.

Geekgirl · 05-14-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Geekgirl, no it's not oem disks and yes it's recovery disks. If I just put the disks in if i repalce the h/d not that I want to but if it comes to that all I would have to do is start it with the recoveries in? Automatically restores the system and all? I know this may sound like a "stupid" question but actually no question is stupid unless you don't ask it. After setting the machine back up I want to get into service like I use my personal unit. Hoping I don't have to replace.

Yes it should start the process just follow the prompts. If the hard drive is bad then performing this task would be useless as you would need to replace the drive and do all over, this is why TheOutcaste suggested to run the diagnostics for the hard drive.

**TheOutcaste** · 05-14-2009, 05:15 PM

HD Tune is a Windows application. The Fujitsu tool is a DOS application. You'd have to create your own boot floppy or CD.

The rest all have both Floppy and CD versions. Just look for the DOS versions instead of the Windows version.

Jerry

Riskyone101 · 05-15-2009, 06:08 AM

Hello,

Go here for a harddrive utility:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

If you dont see your harddrive here then use seatools, you iwll need to burn
the image file to a cd or a floppy disc.

If still no luck then use:

dban - http://www.dban.org/download
killdisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

Enter bios and set boot order to:
floppy drive
cd/drive rom
harddrive
other devices (optional)

1. Run harddrive test first
2. run your installation disc or discs
3. install drivers, remember to reboot inbetween each driver install
4. antivirus and antivirus protection
5. update windows

05-09-2009, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
new_fixxer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13 OS: xp and others	installing new hard drive and formatting Friend gave me an older gateway system with Windows ME on it and told me the hard drive is going bad. Sister gave it to him about 3-4 years ago and she used it constantly and would leave it on all the time. So, now he says the hard drive is going out. A friend of his sister, which by theway is a computer "whiz" from what I'm told... So, what my question is this.... do I format the new drive before installing it as "master" or after? then How do reinstall the windows onto the new drive. Sould the system see the cd rom drive in order to run the cd's. Oh by the way, the computer will boot up fine and everything and work fine for a while then when you least expect it, it gives the "blue screen of death" like it has corrupt files or something. He, the friend of mine, ahs reloaded windows twice since the issues have begun. I just need to know how to do this because I haven't really ever done this before. I have reloaded windows and I have added memory to systems before but haven't had to cross this type bridge before. Any help I can get from here will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide (o: Jn 3:16

05-10-2009, 03:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
blah789 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,233 OS: Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows XP SP3	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting If you could find out the brand and model of the drive you could download hardware diagnostics from the manufacturer's site and run them on the drive and see if it's indeed bad. On a new hard drive, you'll have to partition and format it before you install the OS, but I think Windows Me setup goes through that. I never used Windows Me, but I believe the CD-ROM was bootable. Just make sure the boot order in BIOS is set to CD-ROM first. To get into BIOS you may have to press a key like Del, F2, or F10 during the POST screen. If for some reason the CD-ROM isn't bootable (or your system is so old it doesn't allow booting from a CD), go to http://www.bootdisk.com/ and get the floppy image. Then create your floppy and boot from it, and it should let you partition and format, then pass control to the CD-ROM drive for setup.

05-12-2009, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,497 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting You can also boot with a 98,DOS, or ME boot floppy. Or download and create your own boot floppy.Download a file from www.bootdisk.com. You then run this file to create a bootable floppy. It will ask you to insert a blank diskette in the floppy drive and then it will proceed to make it bootable and write the necessary files to it. Then copy the .cab files from the ME CD to the C: drive and run Setup from there. Or better yet, install XP. __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

05-13-2009, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,117 OS: 98SE/WinXP Home/WinXP Pro/Vista/Windows 7	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting spike2me please do not suggest upgrading an older machine to XP without knowing the specifications of the system. new_fixxerdo you have the recovery software to reload windows? __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

05-13-2009, 08:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
new_fixxer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13 OS: xp and others	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting Yes geekgirl , i have all the disks needed for reloading windows and all but that has been done before and the machine still give the blue screen of death at will. I was wanting to actually keep ME on the machine. Like you said about xp on an older machine, I think it may function differently. Actually what my intentions are here is that I want to replace the hard-drive and reinstall ME back on the system because the errors I get from the machine periodically.

05-14-2009, 04:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 759 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting You can download and run drive diagnostics to test the hard drive: Seagate/Maxtor http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools Western Digital http://support.wdc.com/download/ IBM/Hitachi http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT Fujitsu/Seimens http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/c...utilities.html Free Hard Drive Testing Applications: HD Tune HDAT2 (Diagnostics and bad sector recovery) MHDD Low-level Diagnostics Bootable Hitachi Drive Fitness Test Floppy or CD Image (works on most drives) Jerry __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

05-14-2009, 08:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,117 OS: 98SE/WinXP Home/WinXP Pro/Vista/Windows 7	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting So you think the hard drive is bad and that is why it is blue screening? Is the Windows ME cd an OEM cd or is it Recovery/Restore cds? If it is Recovery/Restore cds you can boot right from those and start the process...I have done it before. If it is an OEM cd, just an operating system cd, then you will need to format/partition the hard drive. You will need to follow these instructions on this link http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/so...ll/inst-3.html __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

05-14-2009, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
new_fixxer Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13 OS: xp and others	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting Thanks Outcast but the machine in question is temporarily not in service online. I just acquired the machine from a friend of mine that no longer needs it as he has since retired it has bought another one for his son. I'm just wanting to get it repaired so I can have an extra form the kids homeschool use. Is there a way to download the tools to a floppy and load them in the system? Or would the tools even "fit" on a foppy? Geekgirl, no it's not oem disks and yes it's recovery disks. If I just put the disks in if i repalce the h/d not that I want to but if it comes to that all I would have to do is start it with the recoveries in? Automatically restores the system and all? I know this may sound like a "stupid" question but actually no question is stupid unless you don't ask it. After setting the machine back up I want to get into service like I use my personal unit. Hoping I don't have to replace.

05-14-2009, 05:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 759 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting HD Tune is a Windows application. The Fujitsu tool is a DOS application. You'd have to create your own boot floppy or CD. The rest all have both Floppy and CD versions. Just look for the DOS versions instead of the Windows version. Jerry __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

05-15-2009, 06:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Riskyone101 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL. Posts: 3,677 OS: XP Pro SP3, MCE 2005 sp3, Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate My System	Re: installing new hard drive and formatting Hello, Go here for a harddrive utility: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 If you dont see your harddrive here then use seatools, you iwll need to burn the image file to a cd or a floppy disc. If still no luck then use: dban - http://www.dban.org/download killdisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm Enter bios and set boot order to: floppy drive cd/drive rom harddrive other devices (optional) 1. Run harddrive test first 2. run your installation disc or discs 3. install drivers, remember to reboot inbetween each driver install 4. antivirus and antivirus protection 5. update windows __________________