Adding a new HD to my presario

I have a 5wv235 (serial # 8047FPP410C9 )Presario with the original
10GB Hard Drive. I updated recently to windows XP- SP1 ( the original
operating system was windows 2000 or ME not sure). Never upgraded the
BIOS because apparently no-one is available for windows XP. Current
Bios date: 10/12/00. I would like to add another Hard Drive.
1- What is the biggest capacity Hard Disk I can put in this computer?
Which disks should I avoid?
2- Are there any software updates I must do before adding that new
Hard Disk?
The Compaq/HP site has none BIOS upgrade to windows XP, but I found
BIOS upgrades to windows ME and 2000 that are more recent than the
one I have. Should I upgrade using these?

Thaks in advance
Vuela

wrote in message
om...
I have a 5wv235 (serial # 8047FPP410C9 )Presario with the original
10GB Hard Drive. I updated recently to windows XP- SP1 ( the original
operating system was windows 2000 or ME not sure). Never upgraded the
BIOS because apparently no-one is available for windows XP. Current
Bios date: 10/12/00. I would like to add another Hard Drive.
1- What is the biggest capacity Hard Disk I can put in this computer?
Which disks should I avoid?
2- Are there any software updates I must do before adding that new
Hard Disk?
The Compaq/HP site has none BIOS upgrade to windows XP, but I found
BIOS upgrades to windows ME and 2000 that are more recent than the
one I have. Should I upgrade using these?

Thaks in advance
Vuela

FYI: In the usual context BIOS updates (AKA Flash update/grading your BIOS
chip) are not created for OS but rather for the mother/main board. Rather
they carry features needed by some soft/hardware (like recognizing bigger
hard drives). The BIOS loads first regardless of OS and establishes the
basic environment that the OS has to work within. BIOS updates are based on
the specific BIOS chip on the mother/main board and not interchangeable. A
BIOS update/grade should not be entered into lightly as a mistake can render
the mother/main board useless as anything more than a paper weight. All
that said, if an update exist and your feel comfortable doing it, check all
your info twice to make sure you have the right flash upgrade for your
boards specific BIOS chip and then proceed at your own risk. Good luck.

Forgot to state that my Presario is a AMD Duron 700 MHz, 312MBytes RAM


wrote in message
om...
I have a 5wv235 (serial # 8047FPP410C9 )Presario with the original
10GB Hard Drive. I updated recently to windows XP- SP1 ( the original
operating system was windows 2000 or ME not sure). Never upgraded the
BIOS because apparently no-one is available for windows XP. Current
Bios date: 10/12/00. I would like to add another Hard Drive.
1- What is the biggest capacity Hard Disk I can put in this computer?
Which disks should I avoid?
2- Are there any software updates I must do before adding that new
Hard Disk?
The Compaq/HP site has none BIOS upgrade to windows XP, but I found
BIOS upgrades to windows ME and 2000 that are more recent than the
one I have. Should I upgrade using these?

Thaks in advance
Vuela

I don't think your Presario has 48-bit LBA capability, which is required to
install larger than 127GB hard drives, so I suggest 120GB Max. No BIOS
update likely is required.
Oh, the original OS was WinMe.
HH

wrote in message
om...
I have a 5wv235 (serial # 8047FPP410C9 )Presario with the original
10GB Hard Drive. I updated recently to windows XP- SP1 ( the original
operating system was windows 2000 or ME not sure). Never upgraded the
BIOS because apparently no-one is available for windows XP. Current
Bios date: 10/12/00. I would like to add another Hard Drive.
1- What is the biggest capacity Hard Disk I can put in this computer?
Which disks should I avoid?
2- Are there any software updates I must do before adding that new
Hard Disk?
The Compaq/HP site has none BIOS upgrade to windows XP, but I found
BIOS upgrades to windows ME and 2000 that are more recent than the
one I have. Should I upgrade using these?

Thaks in advance
Vuela