Upgrading HD on Vaio Z

I made the mistake of falling for a CTO Z590 and not getting the specs I wanted, which included a 320GB 7200rpm HD instead of the slower 5400.

So, specs online indicated that a Scorpio Black was the right drive.

I've gotten it and have seen the steps on how to mechanically replace it.

My question, however, is advice on how I should go to transfer my data and switch OS.

I currently have Vista Business, 32-bit installed. I would like to go to Windows 7, 64-bit and then bring over my data. Going to 64-bit requires a full install.

Since I am going to switch over to the new drive as my internal drive, is it possible to swap the drives, install the new windows OS on a partition on the new HD, put the old drive into the external HD, and then transfer at my leisure files from the old HD on the new internal HD?

I'm a bit paranoid that once I disconnect the current HD, my data is at risk. Is this silly, or can I upgrade the way I just described?

Also, what are the benefits of partitioning my new drive for the OS as opposed to having everything on one partition?

Finally, the Windows 7 I have is still a Beta version and I have heard that if I install this version, come September of next year, I will have to do a full new install of a production version. Is this true? If so, what W7 64-bit version is available now? I don't mind paying.

I've been putting this off for a long time (have had the new drive sitting uselessly for over 2 months). I'm deployed to Iraq, so have no way to backup my data other than burning some DVDs and if I break something, no repair facilities.

Thanks for any advice to start ---

LB

 

So long as you do not have encrypted partitions on your current HD and do not have it password protected in BIOS (different from password-protecting BIOS itself), putting a new HD in and making a fresh install while having old HD in external enclosure is a perfect scenario. You will always have an option to put your old HD back in and have laptop exactly the way it was before you started migration.

Keep in mind that you might take special care while installing Windows 7 on a new HD as, with EFI BIOS based computer (as Z is), Windows 7 expects HD to be partitioned with GPT. Check "Windows 7 on Z" threads on how to deal with that.

 

The easiest and cleanest way to do it is probably to do a full (not upgrade) install on the new blank HD, then place the old HD in a USB cabinet for 2.5" drives, and attach it externally. You can then copy back everything you need or want.

A USB cabinet should cost you less than $30.

 

I have replace the hd on the Z before. It is a major heart surgery compared to replace one on the SR. Its a cake walk.

What I do is when I bought a new laptop, I make restore DVD on it, then I take it out and put in my own hd. Then when I want to sell my laptop, I put the original back and claim everyone that I have restore everything to manuf. settings! I dont want nobody to have my hd. Great idea!

 

Faster this way and no trace left
http://www.killdisk.com/video.htm

 

I've already put my new HD in an external enclosure, but when I plug it into the Z, the HD spins (powers up from the USB port), the system says that it recognizes that something was plugged in, but there is no drive recognized.

Is this because the HD is not formatted (I've done nothing with it other than put it in the external encl) or is it because the Scorpio Black needs more power than the Z's USB port can push? The external enclosure has two USB cables and I'd read some talk that some drives need both plugged in to get enough power. Unfortunately, since the Z doesn't have two USBs close to each other, I can't test this without getting some sort of cable extender.

 

Looking into buying a Sony also. You should just clone your hard drive to a new 7200 RPM with Apricorn's EZ GIG II. For only $40 you get the awesome ez to use software and a 2.5" hard drive enclosure for the process.
Check it out: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?id=1023&type=reg

This works excellent and if your doing a multiple boot of XP, Vista, and Windows 7 it will mirror everything including the Master Boot Record of each partition.