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    How do I upgrade my hard drive without reinstalling the OS?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by alittlemonkish, May 6, 2009.

  1. alittlemonkish

    alittlemonkish Notebook Consultant

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    I just got my T400 now the last thing I want to do to it is put a 320Gb at 7200RPM HDD in it to replace the stock HDD. I have a back up disk for the dirvers but no the OS. It is currently running XP and I have a recovery disk for vista but do not want vista on it.

    What do I need to do to upgrade the HDD without reinstalling the OS?

    I have ample space in external hard drives for images and what not. I have just never done it before and was wondering where to begin.

    Any preferences to HDD Imaging software? Preferably free...

    Thanks
     
    alittlemonkish, May 6, 2009
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  2. arrow1234

    arrow1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    arrow1234, May 6, 2009
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    John Ratsey, May 6, 2009
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  4. alittlemonkish

    alittlemonkish Notebook Consultant

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    What if I dont have an enclosure and dont plan on getting one unless I really need one. I'd like to use an external if possible if that would work. I'd like to create an image onto my external and then put it on the new one somehow.

    I just realized that enclosures are cheaper than I thought. If I need to buy one to do it right then I will but I am just wondering if there is an easy alternative.
     
    alittlemonkish, May 6, 2009
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  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Some of the imaging programs boot off a CD. I think they also offer the option to create an image as one or more DVDs which you can then restore from. However, I've never tried this route.

    I always use the enclosure method. The enclosure then provides a home for the old HDD which can be used as a backup (but don't wipe the disk so that you can re-clone it in the future, if necessary).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 6, 2009
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