ok, i read some tutorial on how to install a new hard drive (i will refer this as hd) and after i put the hd in the case i have to update the bios so that i can use it
well i'm having a little bit of trouble, when i try getting in the bios (by holding del when starting up) i get a password screen in ms dos mode, does anyone know how to get around this?
please help
thanks in advance

if your bios is recent enough, it can detect HDs automatically...

also make sure that you have the jumpers set correctly - if it is going to be connected to the primary IDE controller with your original HD, then set the new one to Slave... if it is going to be connected to the secondary IDE controller by itself, then set the jumper to master (read the manual that came with the HD)

ok

first: try booting it up and see if it autodetected - if it did, you should see an extra drive in windows...

if it doesn't show up... try sticking a boot disk in the comp and reboot... boot to dos.. and try to access D: (or whatever drive letter after your primary HD)

if that doesn't work then your bios didn't detect it yet.

second: go into bios.. now, it sounds like your bios is password protected... if you've never had changed the password... ask other people who might have changed the password (or set the password in the first place).

if you still can't bypass the password, then there's really one thing to do... look for the CMOS battery.

although I have never tried this before (but never had to since i never put a password in my bios), but pulling the CMOS battery and replacing it back in a minute or two should reset everything in the bios (i think even the password, correct me if i am wrong)

when you boot the comp after the hard reset, then your bios will come with default system settings... (some things that you or someone might have turned on manually through the BIOS would now be off)

now you should have access to your BIOS without password protection.. if there is still password protection, then call whoever you bought the comp from and ask them about it...

good luck

I always feared pulling out the cmos battery, there should be a jumper by it. I know on my compaq it says, position 1,2 set or something like that, postion 2,3 clear, basicly you just move the jumper for a minute to 2 and 3 and it clears. Check the manual or computer website.

thanks for all the help, i will try it
if i remove the little battery, will it screw up my windows?

and how do you make my new hd a slave drive? i want to use my current one for the windows and stuff, and the new one for my data like software and all

i opened my case in the current hd, there are some cut wires (on the little white/clear plug), should i do the same to the next plug?

thanks again

blah... davidb is right... i forgot about that..

every motherboard (i think) has a reset jumper... you take it from the current position (1 or 2) and set it on the other position and boot up... it automatically resets everything

resetting the bios *SHOULDNT* screw up windows... but then again, you never know what will happen

remember to ground yourself so you won't screw up the motherboard...

and to set the hd to slave, you have to look for jumpers on the harddrive itself... its usually in the back

it looks like this:

[(:) : : ]

it should be marked for ya... all you have to do is move the jumper to the slave position..

g'luck