new hard disk

[Guest]

I have an older laptop that runs XP Pro and a number of office applications.
The laptop's HD shows signs of fatigue (noise), and before it breaks
completely and I have to go into panic mode, I want to replace the hard disk.
I have 2 questions:

1) given the fact that this system is a few years old and I don't know if I
can find all the installation disks for all the applications, what is the
best way to transfer the contents of the old HD?

2) I dread the thought of having to go through all the various software
registrations again. Is there a way to take inventory of all existing and
registered Microsoft applications, and then use that file to register the
applications again once they are transferred to the new HD?

mike

 

[Ron Martell]

I have an older laptop that runs XP Pro and a number of office applications.
The laptop's HD shows signs of fatigue (noise), and before it breaks
completely and I have to go into panic mode, I want to replace the hard disk.
I have 2 questions:

1) given the fact that this system is a few years old and I don't know if I
can find all the installation disks for all the applications, what is the
best way to transfer the contents of the old HD?

2) I dread the thought of having to go through all the various software
registrations again. Is there a way to take inventory of all existing and
registered Microsoft applications, and then use that file to register the
applications again once they are transferred to the new HD?

mike

Laptops are not designed to support two hard drives so your best
option would be to use a desktop PC and a 2.5 to 3.5 drive adapter to
connect the laptop's drive.

Remove the drive from the laptop and connect it as an additional hard
drive in the desktop PC, prefereably using the secondary IDE channel
so as to avoid master/slave jumper setting changes or conflicts. Use
a disk imaging program such as Acronis True Image to save an image of
the laptop's hard drive as a file on the desktop system's hard drive.

Shut down computer, disconnect the old laptop drive and connect the
new one in its place. Then use the imaging program to restore the
saved image to the new drive.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]]

I agree with Ron but will add that using a usb drive adapter rather than
an ide one will make it much easier physically.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

 

[DL]

I used the usb option and True Image to clone