upgrade hard drive

Upgrading is not hard at all, just remove power and IDE cable from hard drive and pull it out. Just make sure you have a Anti-static wrist strap (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-static_wrist_strap) on while upgrading less you want to fry your mobo. Radio shack should have them.

Not necessary, just keep a hand or a forearm on a metal part of the case. It's also better not to do it on carpet.

I've NEVER worn one and I've been building PCs since I was a kid basically. Just ground yourself and discharge your static on the case and don't walk around a lot while you install. I usually sit down when I work.

Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current Windows XP with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of Windows XP. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?

Matty -
You may want to just get a USB hard drive and add it for storage.

I'm getting (today, if FedEx.com is telling the truth) a 500 GB USB drive, and it's costing me less than $160. To say I got a good deal would be understating things.

I'm fairly familiar with the inside of a computer, I've upgraded my own video and audio cards before, put in additional ram, etc.


You'll be fine then. HDs are easy, a few screws and your data (probably a ribbon-style) and your power plug. You probably don't even have to disconnect them from the motherboard, just do the swap. :)

JUST REMEMBER TO GROUND YOURSELF on the case.

Are you going from Home to Pro or are you just wanting to change the serial number to a "legit" copy?

Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current Windows XP with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of Windows XP. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?

Assuming you aren't going from Home to Professional (or vice versa), I think you can just change your validation code.

Not necessary, just keep a hand or a forearm on a metal part of the case. It's also better not to do it on carpet.

I've NEVER worn one and I've been building PCs since I was a kid basically. Just ground yourself and discharge your static on the case and don't walk around a lot while you install. I usually sit down when I work.

yeah that's what I've always done when working inside the computer, I ground myself on the case and also work on an uncarpeted floor.

Or you can just edit the system file and tell Microsoft to suck it. ;)

Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current Windows XP with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of Windows XP. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?

Is it a full copy or upgrade?

You SHOULD be able to just do a reinstall of Windows, saving your personal files without formatting.

I'd need to know if it was an upgrade or full version to give you a thorough answer.

yeah that's what I've always done when working inside the computer, I ground myself on the case and also work on an uncarpeted floor.

http://www.movieactors.com/freezeframes5/signs119.jpeg

This is what I do.