How do I install a new hard drive and OS ?

[Blue Boy]

Hi....newbie here !

 

I have a Fujitsu Amilo Pi 3410 PC (320GB SATA II / 7200rpm) that was bought new 2 years ago. I have all my personal info on it (business,banking,photos,videos etc etc) and as it is in good condition I am going to fit a new HD and give it to a family member who is very hard up. But I don't want to give it away with my data on it and have decided to buy a new HD for it first.My girlfriend is moving in and she has a new pc that we will use.

 

I have read that the only way to be 100% sure that no data is recovered is to destroy the HD.So my questions are these...

 

1.Do I need to buy a new OS and install it on a new HD myself,or can I use the 'boot' discs that I have already?

 

2.Where is the best place to buy these products from?

 

3.Can a beginner install the new OS ?

 

4.I am told that Belarc Adviser will tell me exactly what my HD is so that I may buy the same. Is this correct?

 

Thank you very much :)

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome....

 

Ok lets answer your questions....

 

1.You need a FULL Windows Operating System install disk if you fit a new blank hard drive....

 

2.You can buy online at such places as Amazon,Play.com,Ebay,Fujitsu or at a Computer Store....

 

3.Yes a beginner can install an OS.Depending on what OS you plan to install full instructions can be found online,with or without pictures you can even find video how to....

 

4.Belarc can tall you exact make and model but some times it may fail to,Astra32 can do the same job....

[Blue Boy]

Thats great information...thanks.

 

Just a follow-up question.....which Windows Vista Home Premium Edition do I need....32 or 64 bit ? According to Belarc and Astra32 I currently have Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (build 6001).

[Jelly Bean]

Click start on your task bar then right click on "Computer" and choose properties....

 

Under were its listed Syetem does it say 64 bit system or 32 bit?

[RandyL]

[ATTACH]1224[/ATTACH]

 

I believe this is your manual. It says you had the option to create recovery disks or you may have been supplied recovery disks. These would work on a new drive but it also says you will need your driver and utility disk.

 

I think you may be over reacting though. Simply reinstalling will wipe your files for practical purposes. Yes if someone was really determined they could get some data back with specialized software if the drive was not written over too much.

 

Since your just giving it to a family member I wouldn't be worried.

[Blue Boy]

Thanks...it is 32 BIT software :) ( I am rubbish at computers !! )

 

When I first got this pc I created the three recovery disks but I don't have a fourth driver and utility disk.Where would I get one from (Fujitsu site?) ,can I create one now or would I have to install all the separate drivers after I have installed a new HD ?

 

Really appreciate your help...thanks :)

[RandyL]

I found your manual here. http://ts.fujitsu.com/support/

It does have a driver link so I assume they are available. Let's both of us take a look.

[RandyL]

I see audio, chipset, graphic, lan, tools and utilities and others available for download for vista 32 bit.

[Blue Boy]

I have found the page that lists all the drivers for an Amilo Pi 3410 PC :)

 

Once my new HD is fitted do I just return to this page and install ? Will my PC be able to get onto the internet before these are installed?

[RandyL]

Like I said before you really don't need a new drive just reinstall.

 

However either way you go you might not be able to get on the internet without the LAN drivers. You should download and SAVE all the drivers. Then burn them to a CD or usb stick or such.

 

These days they are usually just exe files so after you reinstall Vista just double click the files to reinstall the drivers.

 

Good job finding them through the support site. I would have direct linked you but they don't allow that. Make sure they are the right ones and 32 bit too.

 

Was the manual helpful?

[Blue Boy]

Thanks...i'll post up how I get on over the next week or so :)

[RandyL]

Please do and good luck to you.

[Blue Boy]

I think I have located the correct OS and HD that I need.Please could someone have a look and advise me if these are the correct items. The prices seem good compared to others and they are new products.

 

These are the details of my current PC...

FUJITSU SIEMENS Amilo Desktop PI3410A 10601102350

WDC WD3200AAJS-07M0A0 [Hard drive] (320.07 GB)

Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (build 6001)

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170681818334?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_780

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/124734-western-digital-wd3200aajs-320gb-hard-drive-sataii-7200rpm-8mb-cache-oem-wd3200aajs

 

If these are correct I will order today.

Cheers.

[RandyL]

Why are you buying another Vista? Your recovery disks will install on a new drive as long as you don't change the motherboard. Your 3 disk recovery cd's is all you need.

 

As far as the drive goes any SATA desktop 3.5 will work. So yes that drive will work.

[Blue Boy]

So my 3 recovery disks are exactly the same as this product for sale on ebay? I thought they were only part of Windows Vista,what was needed to reboot.

[RandyL]

3 disks are exactly the amount needed to install all of Windows Vista. In the old days there were some systems that used boot disks to get to the installation proccess. Then Windows would install from a partition or you used installation disks.

 

In the really old DOS days (think windows, 95, 98 ME) you had to use boot floppies to format and install. That was always fun.

 

I've installed Windows many times using the recovery disks on a new hard drive. It can be different on some brands in the respect that some will recreate the hidden recovery partition while others will not.

 

Now that I probably thoroughly confused you let me make it plain. You have what you need. No worries.

[Blue Boy]

Ha ha....I get you. I really wish I had studied at school more ......

 

Okay,I will order the HD now and then have me some fun ;)

 

Thanks again...but I bet I **** it up ! All part of the fun :)