Replace T61p hard drive?

I'd like to replace the 100 gig 7200rpm drive in my 14" T61p. Question though - I'd like the replacement drive to have the same backup partition featured on the OEM unit. I've already created backup discs using Rescue and Recovery 4. Is that all that is necessary, or do I need to do something else?

By the way, my T61p also came with 6 or 7 discs - I'm assuming that these are the factory restore discs.

P.S. What kind of interface is used?

 

What OS did you get with your system?

 

Look Here

hear good stories of Clone Maxx. I use RawCopy and DriveImageXML. Most of these you have to mark the partition "active" or fix the boot record after. Its one of those things that once you do it once youll be all set for the next.

 

I'm using Vista Ultimate.

I've read that the included backup utility for Vista Ultimate can clone entire drives, including hidden partitions. Is that so?

Also, if I use the system recovery discs which were included with my laptop, will those install the recovery partition as well?

 

I think the discs that they gave you are the XP downgrade discs, not Vista discs. You will need to make backup copies from your recovery partition to disc.

 

I upgraded my hdd on my T61p. Created a disk image iso. Not hard. Like copy and pasting from one hard drive to another.

 

What software did you use to create the iso?

 

You should be able to create recovery disks, swap drives, then recover your system to factory spec via the recovery disks.

The question is, why would you? The following options loose the 'blue button' functionality, but I've never found a realistic use for the 'blue button' anyway.

A better option may be to create a backup DVD-R set (you make backups anyway, right?) then swap drives and restore.

Another option would be to back up what you need to keep - your files, etc... then swap drives and do a clean install.

The first thing I did with my new T61p was change the 80GB HDD for a Samsung 320GB drive and a perform a clean install to Vista X64 Ultimate per Stalen's guide. I'm very happy with it.

Now I'm looking at SP1...

 

If you use run the recovery program and create new recovery discs, and use those to install the system on the new hard drive, it will put a recovery partition on the new hard drive. I just went through this procedure.

 

MaxBlast 5

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=7add8b9c4a8ff010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

Freeware for my hdd upgrade.

I think it only works for Seagate product hard drives.

Simple to use.

 

Yes, I made recovery disks through the Rescue and Recovery program on DVD's.

Also, the 7 discs I received are for Vista I believe. There is no mention of XP downgrade on them.


Edit: Actually, I just recalled that there is a difference. I did not create System recovery disks. I created full system backup disks. In other words, if my system were to fail, I would need to restore to the original factory version first, then use my backup disks to reconfigure everything I had set or installed at the time I made the backup.

I did not make system recovery disks yet, since I was under the impression that the 7 CD's included with my system were just that. I know that you can only burn recovery disks once, so why do it if they've already been supplied.