Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop IDE hard drive

[KerryE]

I am replacing the hard drive due to continued problems, blue screens etc keep coming back after resetting to factory settings. I have slaved all important data off the old hard drive onto another pc.

Now I have no idea how to reinstall Windows XP, I have the original Dell disks - does anyone have a link on the procedure to follow?

OR

Is there a way I can simply copy Windows off the old disk onto the new one?

many thanks 

[Allan]

Why would you replace the hard drive? Just do a format and reinstall on the current drive.

[Computer_Commando]

Drivers & Downloads for Inspiron 6000
It depends on the disks that Dell provided.  Why don't you list them here.

[KerryE]

I was going to replace the HD because I just thought they had a 'life', and that was why I keep getting problems.

The disks I can find say on them 'contents':
- For reinstalling Dell Inspiron System Software-Device drivers/Diagnostics and Utilities
- Dell wireless Client drivers/User guide
- Dell LCD monitor - HTML User documentation/Drivers (INF,ICM, and CAT files)
- For reinstalling Cyberlink Power dvd software
- For reinstalling Sonic RecordNow software

So I've got 5 cds (none mention Windows XP  )

[Allan]

1) I don't think there is anything wrong with your hard drive. Blue screen errors are not caused by bad hd's.
2) You need to purchase a Windows CD.

[KerryE]

OK - I am going to try to repair it (one of the errors that keeps coming up is missing 'HAL.dll file'...

I am in the Recovery Console

a) I have typed 'bootcfg /rebuild
get message ''Error failed to successfully scan disks for Windows installations....use chkdsk to detect any disk errors
then I
b) type 'chkdsk'
get message 'The volume appears to be in good condition and was not checked. Use /p if you want to check the volume anyway

I dont know how to use '/p' or 'space/p' neither work and I get message 'This command is not recognised...'
The dos screen shows 'C:\>'

[Allan]

run chkdsk /r from the recovery console.

[KerryE]

Many thanks, I did that and got message

'the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems'

What should I do next? 

[Allan]

Well, it does indeed seem to be a bad hd. My apology for suggesting otherwise. Go ahead and replace it.

[KerryE]

This forum is the the best! Thanks for your help.

Question - is there a way I can copy Windows XP from the old drive onto the new drive?

I dont suppose it will be that simple somehow?

Thanks once again, its midnight in the uk now, I am off to bed as I want to be up early to see Europe win the Ryder Cup tomorrow   

[Computer_Commando]

You can try running the manufacturer's diagnostic tool for the hard drive.  If you're lucky, it will relocate the damaged sectors.  http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

[Allan]

The easiest way is with disc imaging software (Acronis True Image or a free alternative such as Macrium Reflect).

[KerryE]

I will try to use that software.

I am going to buy a new Western Digital hardrive (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131287).

Is there a link/tutorial to show what to do as I have absolutely no idea! (I can slot it in the laptop, but thats it)

many thanks 

[Computer_Commando]

Imaging might not work if the old drive is damaged, because the image will be corrupted.  Be prepared to start from scratch.  Hope your Dell has a Restore Partition:  http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm
If it does, it's the only thing the image needs to be successful.
If you can put the old laptop drive into a desktop, it would make it easier.

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]