question about hard drive installation

[halboy]

Ok, I know next to nothing about computers, so I'm sure you'll get a laugh out of such a basic question. But after replacing "computers" every couple years, I think it's time I "geek-up" and learn to change a hard drive. The question is this. (I have read all the posts and can't find the "direct answer)
I bought a Compaq computer a little more than a year ago. The hard drive crashed just after it was a year old. (two months ago) I love the computer, light scribe etc, and I see they sell hard drives at best buy. I had a Samsung 320Gb hard drive. I want to buy a 320 or 500Gb seagate? I did follow the instructions when I got the computer. (Burn 17 CD's or two DVD's.) I burned two DVD's for the 'back-up" Now, if I change the hard drive, can I load disc one into the CD player and start the computer, and will it suck the information up, then disc two? WILL I have my windows copy from the DVD's? Or will I have to bring it somewhere to be fixed. Which kid of negates the cost of buying the Hard drive.. If the two discs I burned will give the new hard drive my computer "out of the box" programs I will be happy. Not interested in saving files, they are gone and I got the important stuff off before the final crash..So that's about it..I really appreciate your time in this, as I know next to nothing about computers other than turning them on and having fun..Thanks again
Hal

[liambl]

The restore discs "may" work, but usually only if all components are exactly the same. Since the hard drive is a different brand and model it may not work. If the discs work, the PC will be as if you just bought it.

[glc]

The restore discs will work as long as you are replacing a SATA drive with a SATA drive or an IDE drive with an IDE drive, and there is nothing wrong with them. Use the same drive you burned them with to boot with them.

[halboy]

First let me thank you both for reponding to my question. The answers you gave make me feel confident that I can change the hard drive, reboot with the two restore discs I made, and have an operational computer once again. This saves me a lot of money over my "old" method of throwing the whole computer away... I will let you know how it worked out..
Thanks again..

[Dia]

I would just like to ad something about best buy for future reference.

If you buy computer parts from there and there is a problem with it; expect geek squad to stick it to you and keep your money. I learned this when I bought a LCD from there and I was seeing a white line on the sides of the screen. I had bought a few of these LCD for people and no one else had a problem with it. I brought it back for an exchange thinking it could be a stuck pixel or backlight problem. I then had to stand there for 45 mins arguing with some noob tech trying to tell me that it was my video card. In which I explained the card was a Nvidia 5950 ultra, and had no problems prior to this in which I was still playing top of the line games with. I got to the point of frustration that I was ready to hit the guy and then finally he allowed me to exchange it, which they had none in stock and wanted me to drive an hour to exchange it and go through the same hassle at another store.

On the other hand I've never had a problem with newegg.com as long as I follow their return policies, which are reasonable.

[halboy]

Well, I went to Best Buy and they had the Seagate SATA/300 320GB hard drive on sale for $59.00. I bought it and installed it. After a few tries, and thinking I screwed something up, I hit the right menu, loaded disc one, then the other when prompted, and one hour and thirteen minutes later, the computer was in “Out of the box” condition.. Working great.. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to show people how NOT to be afraid of a machine… Now I won’t be throwing computers away every couple years..Thanbks again…

And Dia, after a few friends had problems with the "Geek Squad, I already know not to use them. It would cost more than the computer is worth for them to fix it.... Thanks

[Dia]

I wasnt referring to them fixing anything. Best buy has a policy now that if they have a geek squad within the facility you are in and its a computer or technology product you are having a problem with/returning geek squad gets involved. In my case I just wanted another lcd of the same make and model because i believed it was defective and geek squad had to get involved. I went from the costumer service line to the geek squad idiots without a choice.

Just saying when you see something there shop around see if you can get it someplace else because in the event you have a problem with the device/harddrive etc etc geek squad will stick it to you.