How to Upgrade Your Main Hard Drive

Upgrading your hard drive is a pretty easy task. Giving you more space for music, movies and programs a bigger hard drive can extend the capabilities of your PC greatly. This article will show you how to backup data, replace your hard drive, install your OS and restore data.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New Hard Drive
• Backup Media
• Copy of Restore Media or Windows Installation Media
• Screwdriver
• Anti-Static Wrist Strap
• Disk Imaging Software (Optional)

1. Decide on your upgrade path. Do you want to just increase the size of your current drive? Or do you want to start with a clean installation of your software? If you want to keep all of your current software in place go to Step 4. If you want to perform a clean install on your new hard drive continue with Step 2.

2. Inventory your PC's software and settings. Make note of all the applications you have installed, important files and major settings such as Internet and Network Settings and Printers. Having these written down can save you some headache later on

3. Identify and backup the files you want to save. Save a copy of important files to your backup media. You can also use the Files And Settings Transfer Wizard in XP or Windows Easy Transfer in Vista and Windows 7 to copy your files and some of your Windows settings. This will make the rebuilding process much easier. Skip to Step 5.

4. Create a full image of your current hard drive. By using disk imaging software you can create a bit by bit backup of your hard drive. This image can be saved to writable media such as CD or DVD or to an external hard drive.

5. Turn of your PC and disconnect all cables from it. You may want to label the cables if you are unsure how to reinsert them. On a clean table open your PC's case. Follow the directions for your Anti-Static wrist strap and wear it whenever you are working on the PC.

6. Remove the old hard drive and install the new hard drive in its place. Every machine will be a little different but the hard drive will be held in place with either a few screws or on locking rails that will slide out. Be sure all cables are firmly connected to the new hard drive and to the motherboard.

7. Close your PC's case and reconnect the cables to the back of the PC. If you are performing a clean install skip to Step 9.

8. Use the disk imaging software to copy the image to your new hard drive. Boot up your PC as normal and you are done. You now have the same software and settings installed on your new hard drive. Disregard the following steps.

9. Insert your Restore Media or Windows Installation Media. Boot from the device containing your media and follow the setup procedures. If prompted to reformat the new hard drive, do so. Many drives will not come pre-formatted.

10. Restore your backed up data. Copy over any files or run the Files And Settings Transfer Wizard in XP or Windows Easy Transfer in Vista and Windows 7 to restore your data.

11. Use your inventory to rebuild your laptop. Work through your inventory like a checklist. Installing and configuring any software you made note of. You may leave off some of the old software that is no longer in use. You are finished and your new hard drive is ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• While you have your PC's case open this is a good time to clean the dust out with some compressed air.
• If you have lost your Restore Media that came with your PC you may be able to contact the manufacturer to obtain a new copy.
• Check your PC's warranty information before opening the case as this may void the warranty on your machine.
• Always backup your data before performing any operation on your PC.
• Always use Anti-Static precautions when working on PC equipment.

[blakeurban]

on 8/3/2009 My PC has been ineed of an upgrage for a while now. With this article I feel more comfortable attempting this. Thanks.