Im stuck.i tried installing a new HD to my computer and was told i can do so and after transfer data from my old HD through "my computer".i'm having ALOT of touble and cant seem to figure it out.

The solution to this is tricky. and may cost you some money. and, if this is a file vault protected user account, you are just plain stuck. Assuming you want to save all your data read all before proceeding. Get a second Hard Drive, install an OS on it if there isn't already one. Boot to that HD, Set up as "NEW" do not transfer any info. when you get to it, create a user account that is different and obvious from the old account you are trying to reclaim. Use something like "TEMP Account". Copy your user account from the old HD to the new HD (into the Users folder) create a new user account, but use the same name as the old user folder is called. use a password you will remember and add a "hint" at the bottom. log out and log back into the user account that you just created.

as it is an old computer it will have a disc type hard drive
hard drives are where the operating systems and files and folders and data are stored
the simple answer here is to discard the old hard drive, install a solid state hard drive( never has disc failure because it doesn't have a disc and is faster )
and will not have a password on it
install the new operating system (win7 or later)as the grad kids will want fast operations

Try and get a disc clone software and use this instead.
Second, you need to set the jumper on the hard discs in order to configure your drives as either Master or Slave too.

boot from Hirens boot liveCd , it is working from ram, copy your files from ol to new, after it restart

just install the hard drive in your computer boot it up and manually move you data to the new hard drive.

Remove old drive from computer and install in new computer using ide ribbon. It will connect as a secondary unit and you can then using windows explorer transfer any data on old drive to new one.

No, a new hard drive means you'll have to re-install Windows from the CD's that originally came with the notebook (or a retail copy of Windows as well) and all of the programs and files that you had before.  A new hard drive is totally blank.

Pull off cover. Locate the same hd as the one you are replacing. Label the wires and how they connect into the hd. Green tabs usually need to be depressed and hd should come out or check for screws holding it in. Afterwards turn on pc if it boots up you should be fine if not you will need to install an operating systems. like windows xp or vista.

John

Hi,

There are several ways but the easiest would be to use an external USB interface such as a VANTEC CB-ISATAU2 SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter or any comparable product. This would provide the IDE connections to your old hard drive as well as a USB cord to your new PC's USB port. This is of course assuming that all you would want is access to the files/data in the old hard drive.

If your plan is to use the old hard drive as the master (meaning you want to boot from it and use your old OS with its settings on the new PC), chances are you would need to reinstall/repair the old OS since it would not run in the new PC.

If you want to install the old HD as a permanent device inside the new PC, you would need an IDE connector and install the old HD as a secondary master/slave.

If you just need to copy/move files from the old HD to the new PC, the initial method would be your best bet. The interface can be borrowed for a one time use.

Hope this be of help/idea. Pls post back how things turned out or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.