[Essexboy]

What is the make and model of your computer as that should give me the data I need

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It's a Dell Inspiron 1501. Hard drive is 80 gig if that helps.

[magaggie]

It's a Dell Inspiron 1501. Hard drive is 80 gig if that helps.

[Essexboy]

To test the hard drive do the following

At the Dell BIOS splash screen, press the <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <D> keys at the same time.
The computer beeps once to acknowledge that the hard drive diagnostics have been initiated, and then the following message appears:

IDE Diagnostics running, please wait
Primary

Drive 0: (Drive Model) -

Let me know if it reports any errors

[magaggie]

OK, I did ctrl-alt-del at the splash screen, it went black for a few seconds, then I got the splash screen again, and then it went black again and I got this message:

SMART Failure Predicted on Hard Disk 4: Hitachi HTS541680J9SA00-(S1)

WARNING: Immediately back-up you rdata and replace
your hard disk drive. A failure may be imminent.

Pres F1 to Continue

(I had this same message before I re-tried the install).

[Essexboy]

I would suggest that you heed that. This would explain why you are unable to install windows and were having so many problems

They are easy to change and instructions on how to do it are here

And as an idea of cost see this page Although dependant on your location they may well be cheaper

[magaggie]

Would you recommend getting one with the Dell name? When I check the Amazon U.S. site, I see things like this:

http://tinyurl.com/4evb4e2


Would I be better off ordering from the U.K. site?

[Essexboy]

No looking at the price the Amazon one is good, the UK site was just where I landed when I was looking And a lot more expensive

[magaggie]

Thank you! I'll order one.

[Essexboy]

[magaggie]

Hello. I received the hard drive. Once I get it replaced (assuming all goes well), should I just follow the prior instructions for installing XP?