Advice for adding new hard drive and OS?

[deek]

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 with WinME. I am finally ready to add a new HD, more RAM, and install XP Home Edition (full version).

I've never done this before. Any suggestions?

I use Firefox. I'd like to keep my bookmarks.

What about my other software programs? How would I access them after I add my new HD as the primary drive?

Thank you so much....

[hobbit709]

1. You'll have to reload

everything. You can save your bookmarks to a file and then copy them in later. Any drivers for devices that aren't in the XP database you'll have to install manually. Check on Dell's site to download the proper drivers.

[deek]

2. thanks

sounds like this is going to take a very long time

[trotsky]

3. Basic outline:

1) Open up case, remove old hard drive (keep it safe), install new memory and new hard drive.
2) Boot with WinXP CD and install XP.
3) Install latest XP service pack (2) and ALL current Windows Updates.
4) Install all your programs.
5) Once you are satisfied everything looks to be good, take the system down and put your old hard drive back in, only as a "slave" device. This may involve changing a jumper setting on the drive, depending on the system. Otherwise you can disconnect your CD-ROM drive and plug its cable into the old drive.
6) Boot up, and you will now likely see your old drive as "D:". Explore it and copy over your data files and settings. For your Firefox bookmarks, do a search in your Documents and Settings\<your old username> folder for the file "bookmarks.html". I think that's what it saves it as. Then just copy it from its location on D: to the equivalent location on C:

Wish there was an easier way, but no way in heck do I recommend upgrading ME to XP! You'll enjoy your "new" system enough to make it worthwhile, though.

[deek]

4. wow

thanks a lot!

Why wouldn't you rec upgrading ME to XP? Many times people have practically made a vampire cross when I told them I have ME.

It doesn't release memory at all!

[trotsky]

5. ME, like Windows 98, just has too much clutter.

Excess junk in the Registry as well as the Windows system folders make it prone to big problems when upgrading to a 2000/XP environment. Plus many potential problems with incompatible drivers. Much better to just start fresh. Your system will run faster that way, too.

Besides, even if you did upgrade, you'd still face the chore of moving your system to the new drive, which would require the purchase of a 3rd-party utility like Norton Ghost.

[deek]

6. oh...I misunderstood

I thought you were telling me I should stay with ME. I just bought a full install version of XP--not the upgrade.

Thanks again.