Hardrive and memory upgrade assistance

bigup

I have been reading how to upgrade my dell inspiron 4000 laptop.

i am aware that i can change the memory (currently MEM 256MB SDRAM (2 X 128) and was thinking about buying two:

256MB PC133 SDRAM SODIMM 144PIN LAPTOP MEMORY HYNIX IBM

Question: will this be compatable as it is the same number of pins....and do i just have to slot it in and thats it?? or is it more technical than that.


................

Also i want to upgrade the hard drive, from its current 20gb to preferably 80gb.

Question: can i just buy any sized hard drive and replace the old one or does it have to be a specific make/model? or will there be compatability issues?

Also, do i need to do anything to the old or new hard drive before i can pull one out and put the other in? i mean is the MS windows stored on the hard drive? do i need to copy specific files to the new hard drive before it can work, or make any system changes to use a new hard drive etc?

as you can see i dont know much about this, but want to give it a go. Any info appreciated.

Thanks.

current system details:
1 C I4000 1GHZ SXGA 14.1"BASE 5
1 C MEM 256MB SDRAM (2 X 128)
1 C FAT32 HDD FILE FORMAT (W9X)
1 C MS WORKS SUITE 2001 UK
1 C I4000 DELUXE NYLON CARRYCASE
1 C I4000 20GB ATA100 HARD DRIVE
1 C ACTION TEC 56K INT COMBO NIC
1 C I4000 8 CELL PRIMARY BATTERY
1 C 8X DVD DRIVE MODULE I4000
1 I PC INFO APPL INSP UK
1 C INSPIRON FLOPPY DRIVE I4000
1 C WIN ME SOFTWARE DRIVER I4000
1 C DVD SW SOLUTION FOR I4000
1 C INSPIRON 4000 KEYBOARD UK
1 C SHIPPING ASSY -INSPIRON 4000
1 DELL E- SUPPORT WRAPPER 1.3
1 C MS WINDOWS ME INSPIRON
1 C NORTON ANTI VIRUS 2K UK
1 I AOL- 7 ISP FI UK
1 C I4000 SXGA 14.1" LCD
1 C DMI ENHANCEMENT
1 C DELL NET SOFTWARE BT
1 C CD-RW DRIVE INSPIRON 4000
1 C PALM M100 PDA UK

ev0s

Sorry my mistake

I am half a sleep here ! It's been a long day

VincentVega

ev0s: this is a laptop.

Memory:

Your computer has two memory slots. They will both be full with the 128MB sticks you are currently running. Therefore you will have to take these out to use the new ones. It is very easy to change memory. There should a cover on the back of the computer that you can take off to access the memory slots. Take the old stuff out and replace it with the new stuff.

Like ev0s says, it is best to use Crucial UK to source your memory. You can select your precise computer from their site and there is a guarantee that the memory will work. Crucial are excellent, their prices are pretty good and their delivery is very quick.

Here is a direct link for memory for your laptop:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron+4000+Series

Hard drive:

Any capacity (60GB, 80GB) hard drive should be fine. You will have to make sure that you buy one that is the correct PHYSICAL size, namely 2.5 inches. Hard drives used by desktop PCs are almost always 3.5 inches and the only way you will fit one of those into a laptop is by using a hammer. Stick to a reputable make like Seagate.

Windows and all your own documents will be stored on the current hard drive. You will need to install Windows on your new drive. There should be a CD ROM that came with your laptop that has Windows on it. You will need to run this and install Windows, as well as any other software like Office. You will have to format the drive before you can do this.

To get your own documents over, you will need to back them up on to CD/DVD or copy them on to a USB memory stick and transfer them over to the new hard drive that way.

Depending on your computer, you may also have to configure the computer to work with the new hard drive (it may recognise it immediately).

bigup

Hi evo

thanks for the reply. i have checked crucial as you say, and have compared the memory that they say is compatable to the memory which i found on sale (cheaper) but same spec and details etc (256MB PC133 SDRAM SODIMM 144PIN LAPTOP MEMORY HYNIX IBM). so i assume this should work in my machine?????

Also could you explain this part in a bit more detail please: "What i would do is keep your existing drive for your operating system and have the new drive as a slave drive (you will need to alter your jumper setting on the hard drive)where you can store all your data."

So does that mean i do not have to make any changes to any of the drives, i can remove one and put the other in? i mean how do i add the new drive and get it up and running? what is the jumper setting?? if i were to insert the new hard drive and then insert a Win Xp installation disk will it create a new partition on the new hard drive and start installing it so straight away it can be used? or is it more complex?

bigup

Thank vincent, good and helpful advise, doesnt sound too difficult to do then, except this bit: Depending on your computer, you may also have to configure the computer to work with the new hard drive (it may recognise it immediately).............is that easy to do? how would this be done?

also on the net i also read some guy talking about transferring bios etc?? is this all needed or will the xp installation do all this process?

VincentVega

I think that ev0s thought you were using a desktop, in which case you can connect more than one hard drive to your computer and transfer the files that way. It's unlikely that you will be able to connect two drives to your laptop.

Once you have installed the new hard drive in your laptop, all you need to do is to tell the computer to boot off the CD (there will be a setting in the BIOS for this) stick the XP CD in the CD/DVD drive and turn on. You will see a prompt that tells you to press any key to boot off CD and it will launch the XP installation process. XP will let you partition your hard drive, choose a filing system (NTFS (good) or FAT32 (bad)) and install all its files for you. Once that's done, you can copy all your files across.

Do you actually have a proper XP CD, or is it a restoration disc supplied by Dell?

I am not sure how old your computer is. In times past, you had to go into the BIOS and tell the computer how big the hard drive is. All modern computers auto-detect the size of the hard drive automatically though. Keep an eye on the boot-up messages you see when you turn the computer on to make sure it states the correct capacity. If you can't spot the hard drive information here, you should be able to see it from your BIOS.

The BIOS is a chip soldered on to your motherboard. It has its own internal storage that keeps track of its settings. Changing hard drive will not affect the BIOS at all.

bigup

Thanks vincent, you been a great help.

Yes i have a proper xp cd, so should be ok with the installation.

real1314

another approach for the hard drive would be to buy an external usb hard drive to store stuff on.
just hook it up when you need the relevant stuff. Some external hard drives are fully portable.