Install a new HD in Compaq, am I screwed?

[Jess_w_c]

I bought a Presario in 2000, and, it didn't include a CD with Windows on it. The system came pre-installed in th HD drive D:. But, now I want to install a new HD. They say they can't provide me a CD with Windows 98 SE, because of contract, etc.... What should I do? Is there no escape from having to buy a new Windows version? Anyone have any ideas? Is this legal? Should I just Image copy the old drive and re-install it?

[bailey]

well you can do it if you have the right software tools but it will be a challange for you.

first w98 will not support a hard drive that large
with out some 3rd party software

the old frive will have a hidden partition that stores some bios information that would also ned to be transfered to the new hard drive , weather or not this information is available from their web sight or not I am not sure.

these types of systems are not designed to be upgraded HP is another bad one for this same reason.

I would strongly that you consider building a new system for yourself useing most of the same parts from the old one and then useing windows xp for the O/S if there were any way possible you could do this, and you would end up with a much better system that you could upgrade as you want.

[glc]

Compaq does not want you to upgrade your system, they want to sell you a new one. They are built with upgrade ease as very last priority.

[viperpa33s]

If HP/Compaq told you that then they are lying to you. They can send you the Windows cd even if you pay for it. I think more or less they don't support Windows 98 SE no more so they are giving you an excuse why they can't send it.

I have a Compaq (Windows XP) that only came with only 1 restore cd that does a partial restore. I wanted the cds to do a full restore. I called when it was still Compaq at the time and told them I wanted the full restore cds. They told me no problem and 4 days later in the mail I got the 3 cd set to do a full restore.

I know on my HP they set up a partition for a restore of my computer. I can also copy that restore onto cd's but it's only a 1 shot operation. It stinks having it there cause it takes up 5 gig of hard drive space. I did call up HP and requested them to send me the restore on disks and they sent them to me with no problem, 8 disks in all.

You can try imaging the restore file but not sure if it will work. Also as baily said depending on the size of the hard drive, Windows 98 SE will not support it without some help. You can upgrade Windows and a hard drive on a Compaq and even a HP but thats about it.

It sounds like you still want to keep a Windows 98 machine handy which is good in some ways to run some of the older programs that can't run under XP.

[Jaggannath]

With the programs that can't run under XP, couldn't you just run them in the compatible mode??

[rambler]

They say they can't provide me a CD with Windows 98 SE

I assume this means the place you bought it? HP will suppy recovery CDs for Compaq PCs.

Why all the talk about HD size? Firtsly, Jess_w_c hasn't said what HD size she's bought, or is thinking of buying, and it's likely to be the BIOS that'd give a problem, not W98. In that case, the HD manufacturer will have a drive overlay utility.

Cloning the drive contents would likely work, but Compaqs have a small hidden partition containing the BIOS setup utility which would have to be copied also.

----------------
Just read her previous post - 120Gb HD will work fine in W98, though BIOS might be a problem, as I said.