What are the ways to get a new HDD up and running?

So if I want to put in a new HDD, how do I get the OS and such installed onto it from the old harddrive? I know theres a clone program but are there any other ways? Sorry if this is a noob question but I couldn't find a way to search

 

Just save your files from your old system and do a clean install (that is, on the new hard drive), then transfer the files over. That's what I'll be doing when my new hard drive arrives.
PS. I thought some imaging programs had problems with going from one size of hard drive to another, could be wrong though.

 

well......after you connect the hd to your mobo.....you just slip in an OS disk...it will ask you to format the disk and do so....after that you install the OS as you wish....and thats about it. If you have both HDs installed on the mobo you should be able to transfer any other files between them. Keep in mind you can't transfer programs in this drag and drop between drives method. You would have to reinstall them from scratch.

You can also use a clone program which would essentially make an exact copy...I don't have any personal experience doing this but you could try some free software out from here

 

Thanks! ...