I use Maxtor and Western Digital drives, and they come
with great documentation.  For quite a while, they have
also come with utilities the will test your BIOS to see if
your drive "needs" the special driver support required
in an older machine.
There is also a file transfer/drive image program on the
install floppy that will move ALL your files over to the new
drive, and leave it working just like the old one.
Depending on the age of your current BIOS, there are
various ways you must "do" the installation.
You must read all the instructions and follow all the prompts.
You will be changing hard drive jumpers switching cables,
and changing the system setup BIOS settings back and fourth.
(Older BIOS's may not auto detect... or you may have to put in
a "phony" setting, as per the instructions.)
Since you have already mentioned you can't afford to lose
any files/programs, I would proceed very carefully, and
possibly get some local help.
There is/are/will be other suggestions on the list.
Read them all before you start.  It would be helpful to me and the other
list members if you gave the age of machine, date of BIOS (from opening screen),
and especially the size of the hard drive you intend to purchase.
I would go to the about screen on Office97, and get your serial number "out"
before you start...  (DO NOT send that to the list.)
Back-up all the DATA you really can't afford to loose also...
                 Rick Glazier
----- Original Message -----
From: "cheerful" <[log in to unmask]>
> I have a classic Pentium.  I want to get a bigger hard
> drive because the current one doesn't have enough
> space. Is there any way to copy all the files or
> programs to the new drive? I want my new drive to be
> my default drive and don't want to keep my older
> drive.(I have accidentally lost my Office97 CD and
> some other software). I really want to have Office 97
> on my new drive and don't want to take the risk of
> loosing anything. Is anybody out there can help me?

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