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    Easiest way 2 upgrade HD, clone old one

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by PanamaMike, Mar 10, 2006.

  1. PanamaMike

    PanamaMike Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd like to know the easiest way to upgrade my laptop hard drive to a new hard drive with the same contents as my current HD.

    My thoughts are connecting the new HD to a USB external enclosure, clone
    the drive with something like ghost, then swap the hard drives.

    I've heard there are issues with extending the hard drive and including drivers for the new hard drive? Is there another recommended method?

    Regards,

    Mike
     
    PanamaMike, Mar 10, 2006
    #1
  2. USAFdude02

    USAFdude02 NBR Reviewer & Deity NBR Reviewer

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    USAFdude02, Mar 10, 2006
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  3. PanamaMike

    PanamaMike Notebook Evangelist

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    I think that's more just a service to backup your hard drive. I want to be able to make the new HD the replacement boot drive.

    Mike
     
    PanamaMike, Mar 10, 2006
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  4. dugdug

    dugdug Notebook Consultant

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    I usually put the new drive into USB enclosure and use Partition Magic to copy each partitions to the new one. After copy is done, swap the HDs. Partition Magic can also extend / change the size of the partition without destroying the contents.
     
    dugdug, Mar 10, 2006
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  5. PanamaMike

    PanamaMike Notebook Evangelist

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    Sounds like a good idea. Will look into Partition Magic.
    Partition Magic also works on Bootable partitions?
    Do you need to first format the HD as a bootable drive?

    Mike
     
    PanamaMike, Mar 10, 2006
    #5