Upgrading tips

!Expert users only, back up your data before proceeding!

Before starting, create a windows start up disk using add remove programs in window's control panel. Verify you can boot from it and copy the following files from c:\windows\command; fdisk.exe and format.com. Now, set up your new hard disk as a second drive or slave as it is sometimes known, then go into your computer's BIOS program and set up the drive there (usually set all IDE drive types to AUTO). Next you will need to boot to the command prompt and run Fdisk to partition the drive. MAKE SURE you select the correct hard drive otherwise you will trash your existing one, be very careful with Fdisk. Select option 5 to change the current fixed disk to your new one. If the drive is brand new, you will need to create a partition. Follow the on screen prompts and then when complete reboot your system. Again boot to the dos prompt and format the new disk, make sure you format the right one! Next, boot windows 9X. Select start, run and type the following command into the box and press enter xcopy32.exe c:\*.* d:\*.* /e /c /h /r /k /y. Note that this will overwrite everything on the second disk so make sure you haven't got anything important on it if its not new! After the disk copy is complete, you may remove your old hard disk then set up the new drive as a primary drive. Again go into the bios and change the drive types, refer to your computer / motherboard manual  if unsure. Now you need to boot to dos again using your newly created boot disk and run Fdisk again. This time, Fdisk will display a warning message saying your drive is not startable. Ignore this and make the partition active by selecting option2. Reboot and your system will now (hopefully) boot from your new drive.

2) Upgrading your hard disk without reinstalling (other operating systems)

At the moment, this is not possible without disk cloning software. Norton Ghost is a good buy, its pretty cheap and even comes free with some motherboards.