Help a dummy install a new HD

Hi guys, I ordered a Lenovo T400 and also ordered a 320GB hard drive, I'd like to start this laptop off fresh with the new hard drive....what is the process exactly, I'm assuming everything needed to load my laptop needs to be copied on the new HD, I've read about cloning the HD, is that what I need to do........sorry for the rookie question, I've always just left my computers as is in the past

 

I'm not sure what the question is. Do you mean transferring your information from your old laptop, or installing the OS and all the drivers on a new Hard drive?

Because if you order a new Laptop, your OS and all the drivers should already come installed.

 

Sorry, little vague. I ordered a T400 and also ordered a seperate 360 GB HD, what do I need to do for the computer to work with the new HD, thanks

 

Preferably you would want to clone the drive first. But as a new Lenovo user I may suggest you burn the Recovery media for your T400 in case everything wrong with the cloning process.
When you get your machine look for 'Create Recovery Media' option in the Thinkvantage Utility Folder. If your laptop came with a DVDR burner simply the 1st disc inserted use a CDR blank disc, the 2nd disc use a DVD and so the 3rd. If you use only CDs you'll end up using a lot of them.

Post here when you actually have the machine.

 

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. I don't have the dvd burner coming, it was going to delay the lappy 4 weeks. Was going to buy an external DVD burner, sounds like the recovery discs would make good use of it,lol

 

is there a better process to install a new HD?

 

you have a few options:
1) use your recovery discs
2) use cloning software like acronis trueimage, to clone your data from the original harddrive to the new harddrive.
3) install the harddrive and manually install the operating system and every individual program + all of your data.

To actually get to the point of copying files you need to do a few things.
1) shut the system completely down and proceed to removing the current harddrive. (Usually under a plastic door on the base, or it slides in from the side of the laptop)
2) grab a phillips head screwdriver so that you can remove the screws to free your harddrive from the system.
remove the caddy (metal casing around the harddrive) if there is one, and remove the harddrive from the SATA port on your laptop.
3) grab the new harddrive and install it into the harddrive caddy
4) slide caddy into the computer and make sure the male and female ends of the sata connector are connected
5) button the computer back up (put it back together)
6) power up and install the files either manually or through imaging software.

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the detailed reply....so here is my plan. Laptop arrives I create recovery discs, power off and install new HD , power on and insert recovery discs.............correct?

 

yup
just make sure you make bootable recovery discs.
You need Nero to do this.
(I dont use Roxio, cause Nero is superior)

K-TRON

 

ok......so I can't do this right from the start, need to install nero first?

 

you will need software to burn discs in order to create recovery discs. I think their are free Nero trial downloads, which you can try out.

K-TRON