I though I had it, but...

I have a Compaq Presario 5333cl desktop with an Seagate 80GB HD (IDE). Running Windows XP SP2.

Am using Casper XP 3.0 cloning software, which works within Windows.

Installed and successfully cloned a new WD 320GB HD in disk #2 position. Both drives set to cable select.

With new WD 320GB HD moved to disk #1 position, the PC freezes just after the post screen at power up. Screen is blank. Just a blinking curser in upper left corner. Will not open Windows.

When I swap back in my 80GB drive to disk 1 position, everything works normally.

I have absolutely no idea what to do.

Any suggestions?

Thank you...

Are you sure the new drive is compatible with your PC? Also Did you go into the CMOS settings to make sure the new drive is recognized?

When I first plugged in the new drive in #2 position and booted up, the PC recognized it and displayed all details on the post screen. I hit F1 to save changes, went to Windows and did the clone. Everything worked normally.

When I swapped the new drive into drive #1 position, it was recognized on the post screen with no errors.

I don't know what the CMOS settings are, and don't know if the drive is compatible. The only thing I might question is the size of the new drive might be larger that the BIOS can handle. Although a friend checked for me and said my PC can take up to 320GB. My BIOS ver is 1.05.

How can I check compatibility and drive size limit? I never got any errors, it just won't boot.

When you first boot there is a message to press something to enter Setup. That is your CMOS settings. Check in there that the drive is recognized.

Just checked with HP. They said my model is limited to 250GB, and flashing the BIOS to a higher version will not help. So I guess I need a smaller drive.

Do you know if brand makes a difference, or will any 250GB IDE drive work? My original 80GB is a Seagate.

As long as its IDE.

Thanks. I will try a 250GB drive.