Replacing Hard Drive - What do I need to do prior?

Hello,

I am going to replace my hard drive and want to install an OEM Windows 7 O.S.

The current hard drive is about 250 GB. I would like to install a 1TB hard drive as the primary drive, then use the other drive as a second hard drive. Can I do that? Where do I go to set this up?

When I first install the HD, how will the computer know there is a new HD and at what point to do I install the new O.S.?

Thanks for any help!


-Dave

Check this tutorial, which explains how to install and set up a new SATA hard disk drive.

SATA Hard Drive - How to Install and Setup

This tutorial explains how to carry out a clean install of Windows 7

Clean Install Windows 7

In terms of ports, your new drive needs to be on SATA 0, the old drive on SATA 1 with your optical drive connected to SATA 3.

I would recommend keeping the old drive disconnected until you've installed Windows, and then connect it.

Also, before you install Windows 7, I recommend you run the Windows Upgrade Advisor to see if there are any compatibility problems.

wisedave said:

Hello,

I am going to replace my hard drive and want to install an OEM Windows 7 O.S.

The current hard drive is about 250 GB. I would like to install a 1TB hard drive as the primary drive, then use the other drive as a second hard drive. Can I do that? Where do I go to set this up?

When I first install the HD, how will the computer know there is a new HD and at what point to do I install the new O.S.?

Easily done.

Basic steps:

Disconnect the old 250. Be sure to do this.

Connect the new drive, probably to the same port on the motherboard.

Boot from your installation disc and begin the installation. When you get to the "where do you want to install Windows", choose the new drive.

Windows should create a partition and format it at that point. You will end up with a C partition and a tiny "System Reserved' partition.

After Windows is going OK on the new drive, reconnect the old drive, and reformat it to use for your other purpose.