Replacing laptop HDD

[rudeguy]

What's the best way to transfer data from the old HD to the new one? Can I just connect the new HD to my sata to usb adapter and copy and paste?

I have done too many desktop HD's to ocunt but always did a fresh install. The laptop has the OS on the recovery partition, so I can't do that.

 

[max347]

If it is just pics/docs/vids, then that's what I would do. Programs will require reinstallation though.

 

[bruceb]

Presuming the old drive is still working and all you want to do is move to a larger drive, then yes, use the USB to SATA or IDE adapter and then run either Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image to make a Clone from the old drive to the new drive. Shut down and remove both drives and swap the new one into the laptop. It will boot right up and be as good as before with the larger or new drive.

 

[Old Hippie]

You definately want to clone the old HD to the new.

As Bruce said, Acronis and Ghost have this function but most HD manfgs have a free utility disc that may or may not work with competing brands.

If you're using WD, their Data Lifeguard tools would be the ticket and may work on other brands.

 

[corkyg]

I have upgraded so many laptop HDDs, I forget the count. As has been stated, cloning is the solution. The key to good cloning is to get the software onto a bootable CDR. That normally requires installation of (eg.) Acronis True Image on some computer. Then create the media.

Put the new drive into an external powered case and connect it to your laptop via USB, Firewire or eSATA. Then boot the laptop using the Acronis media, and do a manual cloning operation with proportional mode - choose the source drive and the target drive. Complete the operation and then simply power down and swap the HDDs. The new, bigger HDD should boot right up if you did it right.

Another way is to use a larger external drive - clone to it, then replace the old laptop HDD with the new drive, boot with the CDR, and clone from the external to the new drive in the laptop.

Some laptops make it easy by being able to install two HDDs. Cloning is then direct and much faster. That sometimes removes the CD/DVD drive, and you have to create your bootable media on a USB flash device. That works equally well. I've done all of them.