installation of new hdd windows transfer

[billybellfoot]

hi

i need to replace my hdd on my laptop as its on its way out
is it possible to transfer windows as is and all files programs settings etc to the new drive
or will i have to re-install os drivers etc. and is there anything i would need to do to prep the new drive first?


thanks

 

[richc46]

Use Macrium, that is what it is for. Everything will be transferred, just as it is.

 

[billybellfoot]

hi rich

hope you had a good xmas.

thanks for reply. however the hdd in question is on its way out. wont that affect the image?
and would i use clone or just normal image.
thanks

 

[richc46]

If the HD is on the way out, you should back up and use Macrium or install with a CD that is the only choice.
If you use Macrium everything will be as it is now.
If you reinstall, you must reinstall settings, documents, etc.
Drivers should be installed automatically with boot or you can go to the appropriate websites if necessary.

 

[billybellfoot]

ok so back up then give macrium a go. if it works great if not go for clean install.

Drivers should be installed automatically with boot or you can go to the appropriate websites if necessary.

will the drivers need re-installing even if i use macrium..

also will macrium on the new drive need to be done using winpe recovery

thanks

 

[richc46]

If you use Macrium, what you get is exactaely what you had.
You have to use the recovery. You must have the images on another drive, boot using the recovery CD and then make the transfer.

 

[billybellfoot]

ok thanks rich that great

is there any prep need to be done to the new hdd. format etc ? or just plug it in the laptop and go for it?

thanks

 

[richc46]

You may need to format, first.

 

[billybellfoot]

how will i do that as it will be brand new no os on it to perform the format?
is there a way this can be done?
thanks

 

[richc46]

If you have a CD, boot from the CD, a screen will ask about fomatting.
You should see screens 12-14. It will allow you to fomat
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

 

[billybellfoot]

hi sorry i meant if im using mcrium to copy image to new drive? how will i format the drive first?

 

[richc46]

Without the CD, formatting becomes a lot more difficult. You have to boot from a bootable CD. You cannot boot from the Hard Drive.
How to Format a Hard Drive Without a Windows Installation CD | eHow.com
You cannot format the drive that you booted from.
It would be a lot easier if you could purchase a hard drive that is already formatted with NTFS not FAT32.

 

[billybellfoot]

so would a solution be to put it in a hard drive caddy? or image to an external hdd plug in new hdd use the image on the external dive to boot from then within that format the new drive? and then complete the image transfer to the internal drive?

 

[richc46]

If you can still boot from the old hard drive and the new is attached as a temporary external that would work just fine. Bottom line, you can use any method as long as you boot from another Hard Drive and have access to that drive via the computer with the new Hard Drive.

 

[billybellfoot]

do you have any reccomendations in terms of hdds brand model etc. heres where im looking at getting from Hard Drive - Internal - 2.5" SATA Drives | Ebuyer.com

and budget is a factor so cheaper the better really but without compromise on quality if possible?

thanks rich for your help

 

[richc46]

I wish that I could help, but I am quite proficient when it comes to MS Software, but would not be the best source for hardware information. I will forward your post to our Forum Expert in that area and he will help the next time he is online.

 

[billybellfoot]

thanks rich much appreciated

and happy new year

 

[Patonb]

Hello there.

What do you realistically want to spend? And is it only ebuyer? Scan or overclockers acceptible too? Though ebuyer is looking to be the cheapest

I usually suggest Western digitals, just because they are known for great drives, but the hitachis and samsungs are just as good.

Laptop drives are tricky to buy in that you need to balance the price you want to spend and the capacity of the drive.

 

[billybellfoot]

hi thanks for reply was thinking of going with wd or toshiba. yes ebuyer as i dont know the others you mention plus fairly good value for money. not as worried about capcity more durability/reliability/quality.

thanks

 

[billybellfoot]

on a related issue could i use a external hdd to make a macrium image of my OS drive and then boot from my external without loosing or affecting the OS on the origional internal drive?

is that possible?

thanks