Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

Upgrade Guide

Installing a new hard drive, step by step.

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

1. Optimize Your Existing Drive

First, make sure your current hard drive is trouble-free. Run ScanDisk (select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, ScanDisk ), and then optimize the drive (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter). Then do a full backup of the drive's contents.

If the disk preparation software included with your new hard drive comes on a bootable floppy disk, put the disk into your A: drive and reboot your PC. If the software does not come on a bootable floppy disk, you'll have to reboot with one on hand or create one. To create a bootable floppy, put a blank floppy in the A: drive, double-click My Computer, select the drive, and then select File, Format. Choose "Full format," and be sure to put a check in the box next to "Copy system files." After you've rebooted to the A> prompt, insert your disk preparation software's floppy disk and follow the accompanying manual's instructions for launching the software.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Focus on Personal Productivitysponsored by Microsoft

  • Personal Finance 2.0 These free and fee-based Web services not only aggregate data from your online bank accounts, they give you tools for managing your money.
  • High-Tech Travel Tips Plenty of stories provide advice for elite mobile professionals. But what about you, the unproductive traveler?

People who read this also read:

Sponsored Links