Hard Drive Failure - What to do?

[garcia0]

Worse case scenario… Hard drive failed and need to install a new hard drive. Need assistance on how to: some questions that come to mind.

1) Will I have to contact Microsoft to re-activate Win XP? I think I do but can’t find any phone numbers on their web page.
2) Use NTFS file system?
3) Purchased a western digital HD. Should I use Western digital boot floppy to format drive or use win xp? Does it matter?
4) Does anyone have a instructions or webpage with instructions on recovering from hard drive failure.

I have an external USB drive and backed up most 90% of what I need. Didn’t have outlook pst file backed up and other nuances like that.

Any help is much appreciated.

[snowmonkey]

you are on the right path about installing XP, Microsoft provide detail instruction about installing Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q316941
A 1)- after installing try to activate you account from Internet after three tries it will say that you need to call in in case you have trouble (so there is phone number and their service is fast)
A 2) NTFS is always a good option if you are going to use the built in security for Windows XP.
A 3) Personally I did not have luck with WD, may be other people will disagree with me but you can get what ever you want for the right price. Don't worry about boot disk, you can install the Windows XP right from CD, just have to change the boot sequence to boot to CD first in the BIOS.
A 4)
http://www.winhex.net/
http://www.file-recovery.net/

I have used File-Recovery before and it work some-what for me,, if you want a total recovery then it will cost you arm and a leg (plus the first born). I would just plug in the bad drive to the system see what happens, maybe the new OS will pick it up.

cheers