Want to upgrade my hard drive - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

stump14 · 2011-09-16, 12:19 PM

I just recently purchased a refurbished pc (HPE 550F) and wanted to replace the hard drive (5400 rpm) to a 7200 rpm unit.

I was wondering can I copy my current hard drive with my OS on to my new one and just have my new drive be the primary? I would not use the old one.

I was reading various articles and it made me even more confused when it comes to programs to specs and so on. I am not an expert with this sort of thing so any help much appreciated.

I apologize if this has been discussed before.

audacity · 2011-09-16, 12:23 PM

Take a image of your current HDD using system backup software built into Windows or disk image software (like Acronis) and then restore said image to the new drive.

hugh · 2011-09-16, 12:25 PM

Yes.

First download software from the drive manufacturer which will copy the contents of the old drive to the new drive. With Western Digital Drives you download the Acronis True Image WD Edition

Next hook both both drives up to your motherboard.

Boot your computer and run the imaging software.

Once done, disconnect old drive and reboot system.

Should be more details with the software when you download it.

Michael DeAbreu · 2011-09-16, 03:03 PM

I can also highly recommend the Acronis software that Western Digital provides. It was very easy, if long, to move the entire contents from one HDD to a Western Digital drive. Even thought the drives were different sizes. It preserved the boot partition and the new drive booted without a hiccup. Very impressive.

On the other hand, I usually prefer a clean install. May I suggest Windows 7?

When I upgrade, I put the old drive into an external enclosure and use it as a backup. Or you can leave it in the system and run SyncToy or backup an image of the primary drive.

stump14 · 2011-09-17, 01:35 AM

Thanks for the responses, I will check out a WD HDD.

lordspace · 2012-05-13, 06:32 PM

This is an older post but I'll reply anyways.
Recently, I have upgraded my hard drive to an SSD drive.
My Sony VAIO laptop is 4 years old. I saw a pretty good improvement speedwise.

2011-09-16, 12:19 PM	#1
stump14 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 237	Want to upgrade my hard drive I just recently purchased a refurbished pc (HPE 550F) and wanted to replace the hard drive (5400 rpm) to a 7200 rpm unit. I was wondering can I copy my current hard drive with my OS on to my new one and just have my new drive be the primary? I would not use the old one. I was reading various articles and it made me even more confused when it comes to programs to specs and so on. I am not an expert with this sort of thing so any help much appreciated. I apologize if this has been discussed before.

2011-09-16, 12:25 PM	#3
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Yes. First download software from the drive manufacturer which will copy the contents of the old drive to the new drive. With Western Digital Drives you download the Acronis True Image WD Edition Next hook both both drives up to your motherboard. Boot your computer and run the imaging software. Once done, disconnect old drive and reboot system. Should be more details with the software when you download it. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2011-09-16, 03:03 PM	#4
Michael DeAbreu Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 806	I can also highly recommend the Acronis software that Western Digital provides. It was very easy, if long, to move the entire contents from one HDD to a Western Digital drive. Even thought the drives were different sizes. It preserved the boot partition and the new drive booted without a hiccup. Very impressive. On the other hand, I usually prefer a clean install. May I suggest Windows 7? When I upgrade, I put the old drive into an external enclosure and use it as a backup. Or you can leave it in the system and run SyncToy or backup an image of the primary drive. __________________ Samsung LN40A550, Asus A8N SLI, Athlon 64 X2 3800, ATI HD Wonder, 2 Hauppauge HVR-2250, LG BH10LS30 Blu-ray, Windows 7

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2011-09-16, 12:23 PM	#2
audacity Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 1,800	Take a image of your current HDD using system backup software built into Windows or disk image software (like Acronis) and then restore said image to the new drive.

2011-09-17, 01:35 AM	#5
stump14 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 237	Thanks for the responses, I will check out a WD HDD.

2012-05-13, 06:32 PM	#6
lordspace Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	This is an older post but I'll reply anyways. Recently, I have upgraded my hard drive to an SSD drive. My Sony VAIO laptop is 4 years old. I saw a pretty good improvement speedwise.