If I take out my current hard-drive does it erase the memory?

Upgrade the RAM to a higher amount.

To reset the BIOS password read the information from this link.

In case of your HP Compaq laptop the easiest method would be using software from Hiren's Boot CD as it's pretty hard to open it up and reach for the CMOS battery or the jumper.

What service pack are you running? Does your bios support the drive?

Hi, removing the hard drive should not damage any component but be sure to touch something metal before you take it out as it will reduce the ammount of static discharge from the body.

if you remove your current hd you do not lose any memory as far as I know and you can later access it if you have the necessay cables to either connect it to a desktop or laptop..I am 99.9% sure that you can do it for desktops but I can remember seeing anything for laptops..Google and ebay would help to solve this..

open the back case of Hard and Memory..remove the hard drive then remove the memory...after u remove the memory try to clean the memory using a paper eraser then put it back the memory.about hard drive/Hard Disk do not put it back only memory to test and run the unit.if unit is back to power on self test try put it back the hard drive/HDD then try boot all system.if their is message hard fails i think u need to try to replace the Hard Disk...Thanks and Good Luck...GOOD DAY...

Go to the following link:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?prodNameId=1839154&lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=1839146&taskId=135

...choose the appropriate operating system you have, download the driver files for the "Chipset" and run the file afterwards. Reboot and test the USB mouse. The chipset drivers are for updating the software for your motherboard, which includes the USB controller.

The easiest way to backup is to buy an external mini hard drive that comes with backup software - You can get 120gb 2.5" external drives for about $100 now. then it will allow you to backup all your files at once.

a good example is here:
PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=4">http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=172948&WT.mc_n=4&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=GOOGLE&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=4

in case you can get a non boot disk , u can install it by using a start up floppy disk for win9x

Stephane, I ran into the same problem after wiping out my Compaq nc6320 and trying to install XP Pro. The fix is to disable SATA Native mode. To do this: Enter F10 Setup then System Configuration>Device Configurations>SATA Native Mode and disable it, save the changes and now you should be able to install XP Pro. Remember, when I did this the drive was blank, I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Best of luck! Bryan P.S. If you want to enable SATA native mode after you have installed XP Pro check out this link: http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1042050&admit=-682735245+1161793137260+28353475