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    Tips on Replacing HDD, The DATA!!!

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Nocturnal310, Mar 19, 2008.

  1. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hi,

    i ve never replaced a HDD while it was alive... i mean i changed it only when it died.

    So rite now i have a 120 GB HDD.. which is very less for me.

    I wanna upgrade to a 250GB.

    So how do i go about it? will i have to buy a new Vista ?
    How to transfer the entire OS on my 250GB HDD?
    How to transfer the programs?

    Data can be easily backed up but i am worried about the programs & OS.
     
    Nocturnal310, Mar 19, 2008
    #1
  2. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Did your notebook come with a Vista restore CD?
     
    coriolis, Mar 19, 2008
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  3. FusiveResonance

    FusiveResonance Notebook Evangelist

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    acronis true image, or any similar program will work.

    Just image your HDD. I believe acronis will even extend the partition as your new drive is larger. Once imaged, physically swap and youre all done.
     
    FusiveResonance, Mar 19, 2008
    #3
  4. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    what about the OS?


    My comp didnt come with Vista restore CD but it came with a RECOVERY partition. which is on External HDD
     
    Nocturnal310, Mar 19, 2008
    #4
  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Get the Acronis True Image trial and run it. See if it also picks up the recovery partition. If it does, then you can image the whole HDD including Windows, your data and the recovery partition. The trial works for a month.

    Even if it doesn't pick up the recovery partition then you will still have a new bigger and bootable HDD. Then keep the old HDD for emergencies. If something goes wrong you can re-image the C: partition.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 19, 2008
    #5
  6. ivar

    ivar Notebook Deity

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    You don't need a commercial software to do that. The open source tool is Clonezilla live CD:

    http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=clonezilla
     
    ivar, Mar 19, 2008
    #6