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    question about installing new hard drive in t400

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jmoh, Oct 3, 2008.

  1. jmoh

    jmoh Notebook Enthusiast

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    hey guys i want to upgrade my 80gb to a 320gb one i bought from the internet. ive always been a mac user, so im new to windows and everything. im currently in the process of making recover disks, after i make these can i just switch the hd and put in the disks so it would give me a factory reinstall? i also have a vista ultimate i wanted to upgrade to (came with school tuition), so should i do this after i install the recovery drives? im sorry if this has been posted a hundred times, but im really confused.
     
    jmoh, Oct 3, 2008
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The recovery should have Windows with it. Then you can upgrade to Ultimate with the new DVD and key.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 3, 2008
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  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    If you don't care about the recovery partition, you might be able to install Vista from the disc. Don't forget to make a copy of the SWTools folder, which contains all the software installed on your machine.
     
    ZaZ, Oct 4, 2008
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  4. jmoh

    jmoh Notebook Enthusiast

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    Alright thanks! what i really want is for my laptop to be like lenovo factory settings when i install the new harddrive.
     
    jmoh, Oct 4, 2008
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  5. mikec

    mikec Notebook Evangelist

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    If you make the recovery DVDs, then install the new drive and recovery, it will install the OS and apps and be factory fresh.
     
    mikec, Oct 4, 2008
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  6. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    Just remember there's a difference between "Create Recovery Media" and "Create Product Recovery Media".

    The first uses Rescue & Recovery to make a backup of the current state of your system and files. The second is what creates the three discs that will put you back to day one.

    Product recovery is not well documented; use a CDR for the bootable first disc, DVD's for the second two. It will make ONE set of media (Microsoft rules). A DVD will work for the first but it's a waste of space. When you do the Product Recovery with the new hard drive, it can be a little confusing since it asks for something you don't have part way through the process; just hit cancel and it'll move ahead and ask for the discs you do have.
     
    Lew, Oct 4, 2008
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  7. t30power

    t30power Notebook Deity

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    I have a question about Vista version, isn't supposed that the key you have in the bottom of your laptop determines the version of Windows. Let's say you use a program to change the key on a Windows Vista install (from Home Premium to Ultimate), so after you reboot will you have the full Ultimate version?
     
    t30power, Oct 4, 2008
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  8. pcharouz

    pcharouz Notebook Evangelist

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    you will need the Retail vista disc, but yes, it is possible to upgrade from home premium to ultimate with all your programs/files still intact
     
    pcharouz, Oct 4, 2008
    #8