Hi theflash1932, Just wanted to thank you for all the expert information you provided and for hanging in there with me.  I really appreciate it. Take care, Wendy
Hello Technical Gurus, Need your help please. After running all diagnostics, CHKDSK, defrag, etc., I believe the HD in our Dell Inspiron 531 (running Windows Vista Home 32-bit) is failing; the CHKDSK found all kinds of issues.  The next thing I did was restore the OS to its factory settings with the built-in utility and it is still super-slow...as if it's dying. Instead of doing more troubleshooting or buying another computer, thought I'd (1) replace the hard drive with a new hard drive, (2) install a 2nd HD, and (3) install Windows on one of the new HDs, along with (4) the drivers.  I have no clue what type/size HD is in the computer now...but I have two Western Digital SATA 160GB hard drives that I wanted to use to (1) replace the old HD and (2) expand by adding the second new HD. My question is:  exactly how do I do go about doing this?  Seems like a catch-22:  remove the bad hard drive and pop in the new one...then there's no OS to run the computer. I would very much appreciate detailed instructions in the correct sequence from an expert.  (I read thru the online Dell manual but it does not address making these 2 changes at the same time and I looked thru the community forum but I didn't understand the responses to similar questions.) Thank you, Wendy
Dell Inspiron 531: How to Replace HD, Install 2nd HD, and Install Windows Vista 
OS and Drivers on New HD?