Installing a new hard drive?

[FD]

Well just an update.  I installed my new hard drive with a fresh install of Win XP on it.  I partitioned the drive into two partitons C: and D: The OS and all programs reside on C: I made that partition 30 GB, the remaining 1.33TB was assigned to D:.  I couldn't be happier with the machine now. I took a lot of unneeded garbage out of the system, and made a backup of my "virgin image" with all the fixes for Windows XP, and MS Office. I went with AVG Free anti-virus instead of Comodo's free version, and have Super Anti-Spyware and Malwarebytes along with it to keep me out of trouble.  I found that every 2 years or so a clean install of Win XP really perks things up, even on a well maintained machine. At least for me.   

I plan on doing that again before April 2014 when they stop supporting Win XP if I still have this machine.  I'll wipe the HD clean, install the Virgin Image grab the fixes that came after my Virgin Image, and build from there.  JMO

Thanks for the help!
FD

[Hoov]

I found that every 2 years or so a clean install of Win XP really perks things up, even on a well maintained machine. At least for me.   

This is largly dependent on how much you install and uninstall on your computer, and if you get any infections from any kind of malware. I have been running with the dual partitions since Windows 95. I install all my software on the C: drive, and all my profiles and personal file on the D: drive. I also keep all my reinstall CD's together and a folder on my d: drive that contains all my downloaded software. Then when I reimage my C: drive, I can update all my installed software, and install new software very rapidly. I can usually reconstitute my C: drive in two hours or less.

[RoHe]

If I may add a piece of info...

You said this system is a Dell Dimension 3100. That model requires Dell's Desktop System Software (DSS) which is supposed to be installed right after XP and before any of the other drivers, even before the chipset driver.  DSS has some fixes that are necessary for efficient USB support in XP SP2 and subsequent Service Packs on this PC model.

You can find DSS here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/DriverFileFormats?DriverId=JN51D&FileId=2731093572&productCode=dimension-3100&urlProductCode=False

The page says the version offered is "Optional" but that only applies to this specific update to DSS. In other words, it's "optional" as long as you have some prior version of DSS installed on your system.  You won't have any DSS version after a clean XP install so you should install this version.

Since it's supposed to be installed ahead of all other drivers, I suggest you download it to your desktop (use the "Browser" download option not Dell's buggy "Download Manager" option to download it). Then reboot in Safe Mode. Double-click on the DSS file on your desktop and reboot normally after it's installed.

Ron

[FD]

If I may add a piece of info...

You said this system is a Dell Dimension 3100. That model requires Dell's Desktop System Software (DSS) which is supposed to be installed right after XP and before any of the other drivers, even before the chipset driver.  DSS has some fixes that are necessary for efficient USB support in XP SP2 and subsequent Service Packs on this PC model.

You can find DSS here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/DriverFileFormats?DriverId=JN51D&FileId=2731093572&productCode=dimension-3100&urlProductCode=False

The page says the version offered is "Optional" but that only applies to this specific update to DSS. In other words, it's "optional" as long as you have some prior version of DSS installed on your system.  You won't have any DSS version after a clean XP install so you should install this version.

Since it's supposed to be installed ahead of all other drivers, I suggest you download it to your desktop (use the "Browser" download option not Dell's buggy "Download Manager" option to download it). Then reboot in Safe Mode. Double-click on the DSS file on your desktop and reboot normally after it's installed.

Ron

Thanks for the info.  Everything seems to be working perfectly, w/o that software.  Since I didn't install it ahead of everything should I even bother now?  I'd hate to mess something up going out of sequence??? I have SP3 in this system if that makes any difference?
FD

[PCBruiser]

If everything is functioning correctly, you shouldn't need that installed.

[RoHe]

Only you can to decide to install DSS or not. DSS is typically how Dell fixes their mistakes when implementing how the hardware interacts with the OS.

According to Dell:

Desktop System Software (DSS) is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system. Install the DSS program to gain support for Dell 3.5-inch USB floppy drives, CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD drives, and USB devices. DSS is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. DSS automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs the updates appropriate for your configuration.

Their instructions for a manual XP reinstallation say to install DSS before any other drivers. In cases where somebody forgets to install DSS first, we always tell them to install it in Safe Mode because none of their other hardware drivers are loaded when booting in Safe Mode.

If you decide to install DSS and are concerned, manually set a System Restore point before installing it. That way, you can always revert to the prior state if something goes amiiss, though I've never seen any reports on Dell's forum that installing DSS this way caused any problems.

Ron

[FD]

Thanks Ron,

Would it pay to re-install the OS and getting this software in where it is supposed to be?  It is a minor PITA but I have two computers and can take the free time needed to do it properly. I like to do jobs right, even if it takes a few tries. LOL

Thanks
FD

[FD]

I did the installation in Safe Mode, is that all there is to it?  No other action is needed once installed?

Thanks again!
FD

[RoHe]

You're done!   

Ron

[RoHe]

Oh, and for future reference, here's the link to Dell's instructions for doing a clean reinstall of XP. You might want to bookmark it in case you ever decide to go through all this hassle again. 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?&docid=DSN_179256&isLegacy=true#Issue4

Note the comments in Step 5 about DSS.    

The page is slightly out of date because some systems running Windows 7 require DSS, even though systems with Vista didn't need it. 

Ron

[FD]

Wow.  I followed the directions outlined in this thread, along with some other reading I did for the re-installation of the OS.  During the downloading process of the Win XP fixes  I thought I had them all, in fact I waited a day before continuing just in case.............. Then about 2 days later a few popped up.    I only installed what is considered Crucial/Important updates, optional stuff I left alone.  After I thought I had everything back to the way I liked it more patches popped up.    At any rate I can honestly say based on what I've learned today, my installation is not like Dell's recommended install.     Everything is working fine, however being a bit OCD I wonder if it is right now?

FD

[RoHe]

From my own conversations with Microsoft support about their updates, it some times takes a couple of reboots after installing a Windows update before it actually 'registers'. And when a new update is installed that may flag your system for yet another update.  It also depends on how often your system 'phones home' looking for updates before you get notified of new ones too. Isn't this fun?   

Look in Device Manager to see if anything is marked with a ! or X. If not, and it's running ok with no BSOD's and all your hardware and peripherals are working correctly, my advice is: If it ain't broke, don't break it!. 

[FD]

I rebooted a few times, over those two days, and checked manually for updates, oh well!  All devices are working, device mgr shows no problems, absolutely nothing wrong, no known conflicts.  I'll leave it be!  Thanks for the help.