[size=12][/size]Okay, I have 2 computers. Both Dell OptiPlex GXi. Both with Maxtor hard drives. I want to switch hard drives, one is a 40GB other 10GB.
I'm putting the 40 GB into my 700mhz, and the 10GB into a 133 mhz. I know how to physically take them out, but don't know if after switching them around, that the system will recognize them.
How does the system react to a new hard drive if you don't have the installation disk for it? All I have is a diskette for Maxtor install utility. It WIPES the hard drive clean and partitions and reformats it.
I did that on the 40 GB already. and got the operating system reinstalled on it. So now all it holds is the OS and a internet connection.
But, I get a message during bootup ...... Hard disk controller 1 failure
Hard disk drive 1 failure
Strike the F1 key to continue
or F2 to run the setup utility
So I can get to the set up screen, and by pressing the F1 key I get to my desktop and all it ok.
But my computer doesn't recognize the hard drive. It is not listed as my hard disk in my device manager. it has the Intel processor on the mother board.(? I assume)
The Drive C reads like it had the 40 GB. How do I get my computer to use the hard drive? And should I wait till I switch the drives around?
my computer is slower that usual. I used this one as my main computer before I got my new Gateway. So I know it didn't used to be that slow.
I've been to the Maxtor site and that is no help.
I downloaded a PowerMax diskette and checked the Maxtor hard drive and after a complete scan it all PASSED.
Can someone help me with this hard drive problem?

Next issue. I want to switch video cards. I want to switch my 16 bit Video card with the 4 bit . I have already installed the 16 into the one I want it in. On the OUTSIDE is the plug for the monitor. But when I restart the computer with my monitor plugged into the new video card. it won't get past the starting Windows 2000 screen. It just stops right in the middle of the loading bar.
But if I plug the monitor into the plug for the video card on the motherboard, it works fine. I get to my desktop and can get to my add new hardware program.
So my question is, If I remove the video card that it is using on the motherboard will that allow the system to detect the new one I installed? And how do I get the system to recognize it?
OKAY


Review Questions...........
1. How does the system react to a new hard drive if you don't have the installation disk for it?
2. How do I get my computer to use the hard drive? And should I wait till I switch the drives around?[/b]
3. If I remove the video card that it is using on the motherboard will that allow the system to detect the new one I installed? And how do I get the system to recognize it?



If I haven't given you enough information post a response and I'll try and answer any more questions if I've forgot something.

I'm switching things around because I am giving my old computer to a friend. But the one that I'm keeping only has a 10 GB hard drive and I want to keep the 40 GB. The computer I'm keeping only has a 4 bit video card and I want to keep the 16 bit. The computer that I'm giving away has a 133 Mhz and the one that I'm keeping is a 700 Mhz.
So If I were to just upgrade my new computer I would have to spent like $170. And after all I'm giving it away, and the person I'm giving it to only needs it to check e-mail and play solitare!Well, the older machine sounds like a GXi if it has a PI-133 processor, the newer one likely a GX110, but I digress.

You do not need any kind of utility from the drive maker to get this to work. Just install the drive in the machine you want and turn it on. Press F2 when you see the dell logo on the GX110 and you will go to the BIOS/setup screen. THere you will see the hard drive. IDE O should be set to auto and the drive size correctly displayed. Press Escape to save the changes and you are ready to go.

The GXi requires Ctl+Alt+Enter (I believe, but it will say on screen when the machine starts) to get to the BIOS. THe procedure once there is the same.

If either of these situations are not exactly like this please post back and we will go from there.

Both drives should be jumpered as Cable Select (CS) and that is the Dell default so there should be nothing to change.

You must format the drives and install an operating system to get them to work correctly. Any previous VERSION of Windows will be looking for hardware that is not present in the new machine. Sometimes it will attempt to work, and will boot up and need a lot of drivers, etc., but you should do it correctly at the outset. Either this or the jumpers settings would cause the situation you describe.

All of the appropriate drivers for any operating system are readily available on the Dell website. If you post the service tags (seen in the lower right hand corner of the Setup screen and probably on the machine, we can help you more.

Again, post back if any questions.Yes older one is GXi
Newer one is a GX100
So after hard drives are in I deleted all partitions. Then created a Primary DOS and Extended DOS
reads...
c: 1 A Pri Dos 2047 MB Fat 16 21%
2 Ext Dos 7483 Mb 79%

set drive 1 active, format C: /S
at a: prompt swithed to C: then setup
Loading Windows overnight. But here are the service tags.
Service tags for GXi - B6B5V
GX100 - 9T5V901
Can you help with the video card issue?
How do I get the newer computer to recgonize the new video card?If the GX100 can use the GXi's video card, just download the drivers for Win98 from the Dell site for the GXi, and run the install program.

The GX100 had onboard video so there will be nothing to move over, unless you added in a video card. GXi's usually had a 2-4 meg card stock.Help again!
Now I have everything switched BUT...................
The GXi Hard drive reads that it is only 2 MB Why?
And now the GX100 Modem won't detect. Why? I am running 98 in the GX100 and I have taken the modem out and started the computer . PUT the modem back in then restarted. But it still doesn't detect it has been added. I have the installation disk.
[size=18][/size]HELP!If the hard drive is formatted as FAT16, the max size is a 2 gig partition, although you can make several of those. What operating system is running and did you format the drive? I don't recall there being any kind of BIOS limitation on those.

What kind of modem is it? Are you sure you have the right drivers? If you download and run Everest you can find out all sorts of details about the components. In your case hard drive and modem could be helpful.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.htmlYes I had it partitioned wrong. In FAT 16. So cleaned and reformatted. Now shows 10 GB.
Thank-You!
The GX100 Modem is an Encore V.92 /90 56,000bps Fax Modem and I have the installation disk that came with the package contents.
OS is 98, until I get a 2000 disk.
Someone told me that 98 won't detect it.
Is that true ?
I downloaded the Everest diagonostic program and will use it on the GXi and the GX100 when I have OS 98 loaded.
I'll come back tomorrow with information.Did the install program work? The question would be if there are WIn98 drivers for it. Does it show at all in Device Manager after the install? Are there any exclamation marks by it?

If that is an old Dell with 2 serial ports (look on the back for 9 pin ports) make sure they are not disabled in the BIOS.

That is a PCI WinModem, so it may tax the processor severely. Is that a 700 Mhz Celeron in there?The computer with the modem is all set up except the modem. And it doesn't even show in the Device Manager screen. There are yellow ! in the PCI CARD, PCI
Communication Device & Network Adapter. And there are 2 of each!
5:00 AM gotta go to work be back later with more info.Delete them both in device manager and reboot. What happens now?Thank you so much for the info on the Everest. It is great!!!!!!!!!

OKay I did that, They came back with yellow !'s but not there is one of each.
Ok, have decided to go wireless now.
But I need my Ethernet Controller to work. I'm just going to forget the modem for now.
Embarq has sold me a great deal for wireless internet.

Ethernet Controller is ...3Com 3C920 Intergrated Fast Ethernet Controller

Got the GXi finally completed. But I have to take the memory sticks out and reseat them, It seems that the computer is only recognizing 1/2 of what is in.Is your NIC working properly? Any drivers for any Dell system ever made for any OS are available on their web site.

I believe those models take EDO DIMMS, and there are 4 slots. I didn't open mine to check, but that sounds right. Hard to find those now, except for eBay etc. Remove and reseat and then when you restart see what is shown in the BIOS. I will break mine out this evening if you need further info.