Buying/Installing new HDD help

[ceo2b]

My old hard drive cannot boot safely so I need a new HDD. First, I do not know if I need to buy the OEM version or the retail. Do all OEM versions come without any cables or instructions for installation? Where can I find retail versions at a good price?

Next, now that I'm going to a new master drive I want to install a new OS (going from win98se to XP Home). The retailer of my computer told me I needed to install the new drive first and set up all the driver and software problems. After that I'd hook up my non-bootable drive as a slave disk. Because I want a new OS, after I connect the new HDD, should I put in the XP disc so when I boot it goes automatically to that. Then get all the devices and drivers working before I set up the slave drive?

I hope someone can help me. I'm sure I did not type this in the clearest manner.

Thanks!

 

[oneshot47]

1) Oem drive have no cables, driver discs or manuals. If you know what youre doing they are a good buy, otherwise go retail.

2) Once its hooked up, set the cd as the first boot device in the bios then reboot with the disc in the drive. Everything else pretty much takes care of itself.

 

[ceo2b]

Would this [ IDE 24in Round Cable w/Blue PVC Pipe 3 Connectors] be the only cable I need when buying an OEM drive. I saw that there were installation instructions at the web site.

 

[oneshot47]

Yep, thats basically it. And the drivers you can get from the manufacturers website, if you need them at all.

 

[ceo2b]

thanks