Cloning a Laptop HDD

[QuackPot]

I am wanting to upgrade my laptop HDD from a 250GB to a 500GB one. But is it possible ot make a direct clone of my current HDD onto the new one? Do I need to connect them both to a PC to do it?

 

[Pauly]

One way is to connect them both to a pc but the easiest would be to create a system image backup, swap the drive then reinstate backup to new disk
You can have windows do it for you with the help of installation disk
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html
or you can get free software to do it for you
http://www.paragon-software.com/free/
http://download.cnet.com/Acronis-True-Image-Home/3000-2242_4-10168093.html
http://download.cnet.com/Macrium-Reflect-Free-Edition/3000-2242_4-10845728.html
or the manufacturer of your drive will probably offer you some kind of clone software on disk or from their website but this is usually limited to their own brand of HDD

Note acronis software is 30 day trial but will do what you want
Macrium reflect is what i use very simple interface

Hope this helps