What to do when, continued on bottom

You could try partition manager

http://www.easeus.com/partition-manager/epm-free.html

Using Recovery Partition
The Recovery Partition quickly restores your Notebook PC's software to its original working state. Before using the Recovery Partition, copy your data files (such as Outlook PST files) to USB storage devices or to a network drive and make note of any customized configuration settings (such as network settings).

About the Recovery Partition
The Recovery Partition is a reserved space on your hard disk drive used to restore the operating system, drivers, and utilities installed on your Notebook PC at the factory.

Hope this would be helpful. Kindly follow the instructions.

Prepare the hard disk according to the manufacturer's instructionsIf you are using a SATA hard disk, skip this step and go to the "Determine the type of file system that you want to use" section. If you are using an IDE hard disk, set the jumpers and the cabling according to the role of the hard disk (for example, master or subordinate) and make any required BIOS (or CMOS) changes. To set the jumpers and cabling, and make any required BIOS or CMOS changes, see the documentation that was included with your hard disk and motherboard, or contact the manufacturers.Determine the type of file system that you want to useYou can use either the NTFS or FAT file systems. NTFS is the preferred file system to format the hard disk unless you want to run an earlier version of Windows that cannot read NTFS partitions. For additional information about the differences between the FAT and NTFS file systems, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 100108 Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS file systems 310525 Description of the FAT32 file system in Windows XP If the hard disk already contains data, back it upMake sure that you back up all your important data before you continue. When you partition and format a hard disk, all the data on that partition is permanently deleted. You can view current partition information without deleting your data. For additional information about how to use the backup utility or the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 320820 How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition 309340 How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows XP 293118 How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard 306186 How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard from CD-ROM 306187 How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Disk in Windows XP If the hard disk has a drive overlay or a disk management program, make sure that it is compatibleIf your computer uses drive overlay software for large hard disk support, do not use the Windows XP Setup program to partition or to format the drive until you have verified that Windows XP is compatible with the software. If you have drive overlay software installed, contact the software manufacturer to find out whether it is compatible with Windows XP. If you are not sure whether you have drive overlay software installed, contact the manufacturer of your hard disk drive or motherboard.If you have software that you want to reinstall, verify that you have the disksMake sure that you have the original CDs or floppy disks so that you can reinstall the software programs after you partition and format your drive. If you purchased an upgrade for a program, make sure that you have the full version of the original program. Many upgrades for programs require a compliance check before you can install the upgraded product. If you cannot find the original CDs or floppy disks, contact the software manufacturer before you continue.If you have updated device drivers for peripheral devices, back them upIf you have installed an updated device driver for your peripheral devices (for example, modems and printers), make sure that you back up the new driver for the device to a location other than the drive that you want to format and partition so that you can reinstall it after you install your operating system.Configure your computer to start from the CD or DVD drive To start your computer from the Windows XP CD, your computer must be configured to start from the CD or DVD drive. In some cases, you may have to modify your computer's BIOS settings to set this configuration. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD or DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.

If you have a computer that cannot start from the CD or DVD drive and you need to start your computer from the startup disk, make sure that you have the floppy setup disks so that you can run the Setup program from the floppy disk drive.

Note You can obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks from Microsoft, but only by download. We provide the Setup boot disks so that you can run the Setup program on computers that cannot use a bootable CD-ROM. If you can start your computer from a CD-ROM or from a network-based installation, we strongly recommend that you use those installation methods instead. Future products will no longer support installation by using the Setup boot disks.Back to the topHow to partition and format the hard disk using the Windows XP Setup programYou can use the Windows XP Setup program to partition and format the hard disk. To do this, use the following steps:Step 1: Partition the hard disk

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD or DVD drive, or insert the first Windows XP Setup disk into the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer to start the Windows XP Setup program.
   
   Note If you are using the Windows XP Setup disks, insert each additional disk when you are prompted, and then press ENTER to continue after you insert each disk.
2. If you are prompted, select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD or DVD drive.
3. If your hard disk controller requires a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver, press F6 to specify the driver. For more information about how to use F6 to supply a third-party OEM device driver while the Windows Setup program is running, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 314859 Limited OEM driver support is available with F6 during Windows XP Setup
4. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
   
   Note If you are using the Setup disks (six bootable disks), the setup prompts you to insert the Windows XP CD.
5. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
6. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.
7. All existing partitions and non-partitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select an existing partition, or create a new partition by selecting the non-partitioned space where you want to create a new partition. You can also press C to create a new partition using non-partitioned space.
   
   Note If you want to create a partition where one or more partitions already exist, you must first delete the existing partition or partitions, and then create the new partition. You can press D to delete an existing partition, and then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each existing partition that you want to include in the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining non-partitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.
8. To create the partition with the maximum size, press ENTER. To specify the partition size, type the size in megabytes (MB) for the new partition, and then press ENTER.
9. If you want to create additional partitions, repeat steps g. and h.
10. To format the partition and install Windows XP, go to step 2.
    
    If you do not want to install Windows XP, press F3 two times to exit the Windows Setup program, and then do not follow the remaining steps in this article.
    
    To format the partition without installing Windows XP, use a different utility.

Step 2: Format the hard disk and install Windows XP

1. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER.
2. Select the format option that you want to use to format the partition. You can select from the following options:
   • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)
   • Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
   • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
   • Format the partition by using the FAT file system
   • Leave the current file system intact (no changes)
   Notes
   • If the selected partition is a new partition, the option to leave the current file system intact is not available.
   • If the selected partition is larger than 32 gigabytes (GB), the FAT file system option is not available.
   • If the selected partition is larger than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT32 file system (you must press ENTER to confirm).
   • If the partition is smaller than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT16 file system.
   • If you deleted and created a new System partition, but you are installing Windows XP on a different partition, you are prompted to select a file system for both the System and Startup partitions.
3. Press ENTER.
4. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install Windows XP. After the Windows Setup program is finished and you have restarted the computer, you can use the Disk Management tools in Windows XP to create or format more partitions. For additional information about how to use the Windows XP Disk Management tools to partition and format your hard disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 309000 How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

Back to the topAdditional notesBefore you can install an operating system such as Windows XP, you must first create a primary partition on the first physical hard disk (Disk 0) on your computer. Then, you can format a file system on that partition to create what is called the System partition.

Or, you can create a separate partition for the operating system on any physical hard disk. This is known as the Startup partition. The System partition on Disk 0 can also be used as a Startup partition.

Toshiba has built in system recovery partition in your hard drive

Make sure to back up important files in your Laptop to usb or portable hard disk before doing this.

Warning: In using System Recovery you files will be deleted, your laptop will be back to its factory settings

To access the Toshiba recovery partition, power off the laptop. Hold down the 0 (zero) key and turn the laptop on. Keep holding down the zero key until the TOSHIBA logo appears, where you should start tapping the zero key repeatedly. Stop if the unit beeps or when the TOSHIBA logo disappears. The screen should flash ** HDD RECOVERY MODE ** for a split second, then load the Toshiba recovery program right from the hard drive.

• Take account of any files or programs you still want to use after the Toshiba laptop is restored back to its factory settings. Transfer the files to a backup location, such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive.
• Restart the Toshiba Satellite laptop's operating system. Wait for the Toshiba logo to appear on the screen.
• Press the key that brings up the hard drive disk utility menu. Depending on the specific model of your Toshiba Satellite laptop, the key will either be "0," "F1," or "F8."
• Press "1" or click "Restore Original Factory Image." Click "Yes." Select "Next" to begin the restoration process.
• Restart the Toshiba laptop computer when the restoration process finishes running. Follow the prompts that appear on the screen to set up the laptop's date, time and language settings.
• Transfer the backup copies of the data you saved earlier back to the Toshiba's hard drive. Re-install any programs you need, such as your software firewall or anti-virus tool.

The hard disk drive restore utility is saved on a separate partition on the Toshiba laptop's hard drive. If that partition has been formatted you won't be able to use the restore utility. If you don't have the operating system recovery disc and the partition has been formatted, you will need to contact Toshiba's customer support to have them send you a new disc.

All of your existing data will be permanently removed from the hard drive when the factory restore process has finished running.

you will need to reinstall your OS

Best solution is to get and use the original restore discs.
If using a regular XP disc installation requires specific technical steps to boot from the disc , delete the existing partitions, format and install then download original drivers one at a time.
Getting the original restore discs would be alot easier than using an XP disc
hope this helps
Roety

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/eric_ab7c09ec01841771

You can't transfer the operating system. You have to reinstall it on the new hard drive. Most of the time the disks that come with a computer are just restore disks. Without the restore partition that comes on the hard drive that came with the computer, those disks are usually useless. Or if you want, you can keep both hard drives, and just setup the jumper settings on the hard drives so that the old hard drive is the primary, and the new one is the secondary. Then you will still have the operating system and you will use the new hard drive for storage.

it is an issue with your software which is not able to find the os in hard drive please perform a operating system reinstall

1. Ensure all of the Windows XP installation discs and information are present.
   
   
2. Install the Windows XP disc.
   
   
3. Press and hold <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> at the same time to restart the computer.
   
   
4. When the computer restarts and the Dell splash screen appears, press <F12>.
   
   
5. In the Boot menu, use the <Up> and <Down> arrows to select either CD or DVD, and then press <Enter> to continue.
   
   
6. If prompted, press any key to continue. If you do not press a key, the computer starts from the hard drive. In that case, wait until Windows has completed started up, and then begin again.
   
   
7. At the Windows XP setup window, select To set up Windows XP now, press Enter, and then press <Enter>.
   
   
8. Press <F8> to accept the terms and conditions specified in the license agreement.
   Note: By default, unpartitioned space is highlighted. If any other partitions appear that were not previously created by you, they may include a PC Restore partition or a Media Direct partition.
   
   
   
9. In the Windows Setup Partition screen, press <Enter> to partition the hard drive. On this screen, review the listed partitions. Usually, the original operating system partition is labeled (OS) and is also the largest partition.
   
   
10. Use the <Up> and <Down> arrows on your keyboard to highlight the OS partition and press <D> to delete the partition.
    
    
11. When the Confirmation screen appears, review the warnings and press <Enter>to continue. You will now be returned to the previous screen.
    
    
12. Use the <Up> and <Down> arrows to highlight the unpartitioned space and press <Enter> to set up Windows XP. The Windows XP Setup appears with the following information highlighted: Format the partition using the NTFS system.
    
    
13. Press <Enter> to continue. On the next screen, a progress bar shows the format process. When the format is complete, the setup files are copied to the hard drive.
    The following message appears: Please wait while setup copies files to the Windows installation folders. This might take several minutes.
    Then follows Setup is copying files…. The status bar displays the percentage complete. When complete, the computer reboots and the set up wizard appears.
    
    
14. When the Regional and Language Options window appears, change as needed, then click Next.
    
    
15. When the Personalize Your Software window appears, enter a name and organization if wanted, then click Next.
    
    
16. When the Product Key window appears, enter the product key, then click Next.
    
    
17. When the Computer Name and Administrator Password window appears, enter a password if wanted, then click Next.
    When you enter the password, be sure the caps lock is off; passwords are case sensitive.
    
    
18. When the Date and Time Setting window appears, change as needed, then click Next.Windows is installed, a progress bar indicates approximately how much of the task is complete.
    
    
19. The computer reboots.
    The Windows XP operating system is fully installed.
    
    

If you Click OK on the system restore, the system will be re-imaged from a hidden partition on the hard drive and will be restored to the way the system was when it came out of the box. Anything you saved or stored on the hard drive, (Pictures, files, games email, resume etc) will all be gone.

Because the system will not boot into the normal mode, it is assumed that the current Windows installation is at a minimum damaged. The damage could be caused by:

1. Virus/spyware
2. Hard drive failure
3. various unkown issues

If you are wanting to save data off this hard drive, just power it off at the system restore screen.

If you can, run diagnostics on the hard drive (Dell has F12 at boot to access diagnostics) If the hard drive fails, your data recovery options are limited.

Data recovery is expensive, so you have to weigh the value of the data versus the cost of getting it back.