Need New HDD - questions on transferring info

I am going to replace my laptop HDD, and was thinking to also upgrade to win 7 on the new disc. How to migrate all of my files and programs to the new disc under windows 7? I don't have another computer to use for transferring, just one laptop and one disc at a time.

should I create a disc image in vista that could be used on the new drive?

If you go to Win7, you can only transfer your own files. Everything else (system settings, programs, etc.) has to be redone from scatch. A system image will not help in this case. But you may want to make one of your current Vista in case you ever have to go back to it (e.g. you forgot a file). Then you just make an image of your new Win7 also and swap images. I use free Macrium for imaging. Works for Vista and Win7.
For your own files I suggest you just copy them to your external drive - any method will work.

Thanks I will try Macrium to make an image of my vista disc. (my hd shuts down a couple times a day due to high temps). I seem to remember that when I got this laptop, I was able to migrate all data and programs from my xp desktop without a problem. I dont remember how I did this though. but the vista laptop had all settings for both user accounts transferred over and the programs like photoshop were also up and running on the the laptop afterwards. This was a while ago, so maybe I remembering incorrectly. I am looking to do something similar with a new hdd and Win7, but I dont have another machine to have both os running at the same time.

You are probably thinking of an upgrade install. This is generally considered as a bad choice and can potentially get you into a lot of trouble. I would highly recommend to make a clean install and reinstall the programs. That way everything is brand new and tuned to windows7. If you only have an upgrade disk, you can still do a clean install: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Forums

This laptop had vista pre-installed (oem), so I don't believe there was an upgrade from xp, just some feature in the initial configuration of vista for the first time allowed me to connect to my xp desktop and transfer the settings. oh well.

I will likely then go with a new hdd and new install of win7, and then installing all the programs again. But is there an easy or straightforward way to do this? How to see a list of everything installed on vista. I have so many programs now, some of which I'm sure are not listed under start > all programs, or when I view programs from Add/Remove programs list either. Is there some guide that explains things that should not be overlooked when trying to replicate the current settings and setup for multiple users on a new machine?

thanks.

I am afraid there is no list to show you how to replicate YOUR settings. Why don't you make a list of what programs you have from All Programs and Program Files on C.