PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: TR on December 16, 2002, 20:02
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Hi Folks.. I need some advice plz ;D.
Some time in the next 2 days Im biting the Bullet and having a clean install of win xp home onto a new 40 G hard drive(maxtor D740XATA-133 7200rpm, 2mb cache 8.5ms Quiet drive)
Any advice would be much appreciated.... ;D
Hookstar
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What did you actually want to know, Hook? If you have a new hard drive, and a shiny new XP disc, you just pop the disc in the CD Rom drive, your machine should boot from it, and the installation will begin. Most newish machines should be able to boot from the CD, so you shouldn't need a bootable floppy, but if it won't, I think you can adjust your BIOS settings to tell it to boot from your CD Rom drive.
It will ask you at some point whether you want to partition your hard drive, so make sure you read each question carefully before merrily clicking OK, but when I did mine, I found myself going with most of the defaults, as I didn't know any better, and it seemed to work OK.
Sorry if this is a bit basic - perhaps someone with a bit more experience of installing XP will drop by soon. :)
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I am not sure how much XP needs for installation but I would always partition a drive of that size and have the OS on a partition of a few gig so that if you ever needed to wipe and reinstall it you can retain your other data on the second partition. 2 Gig seems to be sufficient for 98 SE but you may be better of with around 5 gig on XP which still leaves you a good size drive for everything else :-*
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Can't argue with any of that Simon & Sandra :)
The only thing I can add is to check that your BIOS is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive first, otherwise you'll be waiting a long time for the CD to boot ;D ;D
Oh and I'd go for an 8GB system partition for XP to give you some breathing room.
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Following on from this, if XP is installed on a hard drive with no partitions, as mine is, is it then possible to partition it in a portion of the HD after installation, so as to achieve the position Sandra mentioned above?
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It can be done fairly simply with PartitionMagic Simon.
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I've learned to create a decent sized partition for the OS and for the programs, and keep all the data in the other partition(s). The reason for doing this is if there is a problem with the OS of a viral attack, then its only the OS/program partition that needs reformatting, leaving the data safe. Do keep backups tho ;)
Sean, which version of PM works with XP, as I'm about to be a user of XP for the first time, and I only have PM5 ... Do I have to fork out for PM8?
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Sorry Bat, PM5 and PM6 won't work with XP (I have PM6 :()> I think PM7 was the first to support XP.
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Thanks for that, I know I need a new copy now :- and not to load it when I start putting everything on
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Is there any way to find out if version 7 works with XP as I have it but havent got XP so am unable to try it to see ???
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Well its arrived ;D and I can hardly wait to start taking the case apart and installing the new hard drive!! and new software :D but will have to wait until tomorrow night (watch this space) if Im not about,I might have failed somewhere along the line ::)
1 more thing.. how do I save all my outlook mail and Addresses and to where, I have 1 or 2 contacts and a few mails that I need to save, all work related of course >:D.
(https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpages.prodigy.net%2Frogerlori1%2Femoticons%2Fx27.gif&hash=bd7f7a7e24304f28d75561446a379943081e149f)
Hookstar
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I've loaded PM7 on to XP, and it seemed to want to work, but then I bottled out as I didn't really know what I was doing!
But, yes, PM7 seems to work with XP. :)
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I'm not too sure how to save your mail Hookstar but the address book saves straight to floppy easily.Just open the address book click on Export from File options and select the floppy to export it to :-*
If you can find which folder it stores the mails in then you could jut go to that folder and save from there but I am not sure where it hides in my PC ;)
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If you slave your old drive off the new one after you have installed XP on the new drive, you can simply import your mail into Outlook Express on the new drive.
Before you dismantle your PC, you need to do the following:-
Open Outlook Express and select Tools|Accounts
Select the Mail Tab
For each email account listed, click it and choose Export, saving the file to an easy to remember folder.
Choose Tools|Options and select the Maintenance Tab
Click store folder.
Write down the path given which is the path to your Outlook message store.
When XP is installed you will then need to Import the mail accounts (from Tools|Accounts) and Import the mail store (from File|Import|Messages). Dont forget that the path to the message store is now probably on D: rather than C:
I hope that makes sense ::)
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Is there not a folder already somewhere Adept which stores the messages? I use Incredimail and have done a file and folder search and looked in each one that I thought may have my mail in but to no avail.
It must store then somewhere prior to exporting to a folder of your own surely ???
I'm not sure about Incredimail, I've never used it ???
As I said above you can find out where Outlook Express is storing the files by choosing Tools|Options, selecting the Maintenance Tab and
clicking store folder.
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Nearly there! 1 small problem.. no sound :'( it tells me there is no sound card....But its on board the Mobo any suggestions.
Pretty please
Hookstar
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The first thing Iwould check is to see if its enabled in BIOS.If it isnt then enable it.If it is delete it and reboot to see if it finds it on its next run through :-*
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Sandra.. would the bios have changed, just by adding a new hard drive and OS.
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Possibly some of the settings when installing the OS.It may well have gone back to its default one but I am not 100% certain.
Are you still around Saint ?
Its as well to check it in case it turns out to be as simple as that :-*
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Are you still around Saint ?
Yes, but I'm not much use Sandra ::) Too many bottles of Co-Op Stong Ale I'm afraid.
What was the question again? Something about sound was it? What you said at 09:44:03pm sounds sensible to me ...
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;D 99% there now.. had to down load sound drivers on line to make it work.. dont ask ???.
One small problem now that I have everything up n Running.. my hard drive is now on "G" huh.. how did that come about where has "c" gone when it was a clean install ???
Hook
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How many drives have you?
I assume that you have just the one hard drive plus cd/dvd/wrIter etc or is this a second drive for a second OS?
What are the drive letters for the other drives?
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sounds like one for the microsoft knowledge base on the microsoft site. the pc must somehow still think the old drive is there and has assigned the next available letter.
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I think the problem is that when I started the upgrade I should have took out the extra USB ports for the card reader ;D.
my systen is as:
A = Floppy
C = Removable disk USB
D = Removable disk USB
E = DVD
F = CD/RW
And You guessed it!! G is now my hard drive
Oh well to late now..thanks for all the input over the past few days.... ;D.
Merry xmas all
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I should think that if you delete the 2 usb ones from inside device manager and reboot it will probably re arrange your letters again Hookstar with any luck :-*
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I should think that if you delete the 2 usb ones from inside device manager and reboot it will probably re arrange your letters again Hookstar with any luck :-*
I don't think it will Sandra. XP will maintain the drive letter. If you use the disk management function to re-letter the drives, you'll find the OS won't load :(
That's why my XP machines' system drive is H: ::)
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Ho Folks.. ;D
What would happen if I deleted the whole system and started again.. :o.
And before I reload XP, I unplug the "usb" bits, would that be better.
Hook
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You could do but if you are using XP Home it only allows you to install it 3 times apparently and if you need to install again you have to contact Uncle Bill to allow you to install it again.
XP Pro for some reason ( I have been told ) allows multiple reinstalls.
I think you will be well advised to leave things as they are as I dont think it will object to not being called "C" :-*
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This is exactly what happened to my cousin's PC, when she had to reinstall XP. Her hard drive is now E! Can you not rename the drive letters with something like Partition Magic? Or is that likely to throw a spanner in the works?
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I've just been looking at Hard Drive requirements for Operating Systems on the MS web site, with a view to partitioning large hard drives.
For W2K Pro, MS say, a 2.0GB HDD with a minimum of 650MB freespace.
For Win XP Pro, MS say, 1.5GB of avaliable disk space
The above, is the actual wording on the MS web site
So Adept, why do you recommend a 8GB partition. Now look, I'm not trying to suggest you are wrong :-X heaven forbid I would dare try and alienate you, my font of PC wisdom, no I was just wondering that's all. :)
catch
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Have you wet the bed Catch ???
I think you will find that that is the minimum that the OS requires for installation.If you are very good at keeping things tidy and keep everything else off C then you may get away with it,most people arent capable of keeping C just for their OS.Also the swap file likes to be on C for most progs and if you were to do something like convert a .AVI file of around 700mbs into a .MPG2 for writing a SVCD then it would probably recommend a swap file of up to 3,4 or even 5 gig for some reason.Nero was always telling me I was running out of space even when I put its swap file on to D and had 3 gig spare :o
Dont forget that Uncle Bill isnt always as truthful as he should be either :-*
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That told you, Catch!! ;D ;D
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Hey Simon,
The girl's good no doubt about it, always there for you when you cannot sleep, but I've found she's not so accommodating first thing in the morning ;D
That'll do for me Sandra, I think I'll put you forward for Saintliness :-*
Catch
PS. Simon, have you notice how you get really useful answers from my well thought out questions :P
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So Adept, why do you recommend a 8GB partition. Now look, I'm not trying to suggest you are wrong :-X heaven forbid I would dare try and alienate you, my font of PC wisdom, no I was just wondering that's all. :)
I'm never wrong Catch, but I'm not always right ;)
Experience tells us "Take all minimum recommendation from Microsoft with a large pinch of salt". The recommendations are absolute minimum to run the operating system and does not include application programs. Don't forget some apps can take up nearly 1GB of space!
Take a look at the minimum processor and memory specifications and see if you'd want to run XP or W2K on a machine with those specs :o
8GB gives you plenty of room for the OS and all the applications you may require to install ;)
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Take a look at the minimum processor and memory specifications and see if you'd want to run XP or W2K on a machine with those specs :o
8GB gives you plenty of room for the OS and all the applications you may require to install ;)
If you partition a drive so that the OS has it's own partition, does'nt that mean that the applications [ another word for programs I assume] go on another partition separate with all your own personal data from the OS ?
catch
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In a word NO Catch ;)
You can install the program to another partition but some files are still placed on the OS partition and in the registry.This is why if you wipe that partition even if your programs are installed on a diferent partition or drive that you need to reinstall them again.
Dont forget also that things like your desktop and other stuff are on C (if thats your OS drive or partition),which can amount to using a lot of your free space.I know of some people who download programs to their desktop so they can find them easily and install from there before moving the download to another folder :-*
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In a word NO Catch ;)
Ohhhhhhh your so forceful, I like a strong willed woman, and a strong armed one also is not to be sniffed at, as it ain't as easy as it used to be climbing on to that wardrobe >:D I have put some more questions on the partitioning thread.
I know of some people who download programs to their desktop so they can find them easily and install from there before moving the download to another folder :-*
Well they could download the Zipped up programs onto another partition, but install onto C: Drive, so they have them handy in case a reformat of C:drive is ever needed. I download mine too a CD so I have them there if I ever reinstall the OS, see I was always reinstalling that bag of MS crap Win 98 >:(
Catch
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As quite a few members on here already know,I tend to keep my programs zipped in a folder on one partition.When I have around 700mbs worth I copy them to a CD ;)
One day I may even get organised enough to sort out the various CDs into program related types butI will have to get a few more programs before thats worth doing :-*
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Hi folks ;D.
What is the proceedure for deleting XP and re-installing then.
And getting everything back in its right place!!!.
I know its just a Letter but its like driving on the right hand side of the car with the steering wheel on the left hand side :D.
Cheers Hook
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Hi Hook, all you need do is boot off the XP CD and re-partition again. This will wipe out anything you have on the drive, so make sure to take a backup or two of any important data you have.
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Just so that I dont mess up again 8), Do I unplug all the USB connections so it doesn't confuse anything and anthing else I should unplug on a re-install.
Sandra mentioned earlier that Uncle Bill will only let me transfer 2/3 times, before the copy becomes invalid >:(.
Cheers Hook
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Leave the usb stuff out Hook until its up and running the minimum necessary to install your OS.After everything checks out you can then add the peripherals.
I was told it was 3 times for XP Home. If its a legit copy I dont think it matters as much as you'll have all the details.If its an "acquired" version you may have problems at a later date :-*
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Just so that I dont mess up again 8), Do I unplug all the USB connections so it doesn't confuse anything and anthing else I should unplug on a re-install.
I would ;) You can always install them later.
Sandra mentioned earlier that Uncle Bill will only let me transfer 2/3 times, before the copy becomes invalid >:(.
I'm not sure, but I think it just makes you ring Microsoft to unlock it again. Obviously M$ will log this and require you to jump through hoops to prove you are not trying to rip them off if you do it again.
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I'm not sure, but I think it just makes you ring Microsoft to unlock it again. Obviously M$ will log this and require you to jump through hoops to prove you are not trying to rip them off if you do it again.
Yer life's alot simpler with W2K ;D
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Morning Folks ;D all sorted now.. well nearly lol I have now got the hard drive on "C" but the puter hangs on shut down ??? now what have I done !!!!!!!!!
Hook
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How long have you waited, Hook? I have XP, and mine takes ages to shutdown - sometimes over a minute, but it eventually does.
It could also be an application refusing to close. Try manually closing stuff in your system tray and see if that makes any difference.
One cause of my PC hanging on shutdown is my Fujitsu DSL Modem, but that's just my PC.
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All sorted now thanks Simon, must have been a glitch there somewhere.
Everything up n running fine now, even got it set up for all the Family now and all password protected etc etc. ;)
Cheers Hook
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;D Im very impressed with XP ;D every thing just zips along nicely now.
Thought I would just update everybody, all has ended on a happy note.
Found this site (http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20the%20Boot%20Sector:) if anybody is interested in XP repair tools, I have added this to my fave sites.
Hook
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Looks like a useful site Hook. I especially like the actual photos of the screen, including the guy's reflection!! ;D ;D