Installing new hard drive.

[ScottR02919]

I need to replace my hard drive and am wondering what Windows 7 product to get. I see some advertised as 'OEM' and 'System Builder', is that what I need to get my computer running with the new hard drive?

 

[theog]

What OS is on the old HDD?

 

[ScottR02919]

Windows 7 - 64 bit.

 

[gregrocker]

You don't need to buy a new OS if all you're doing is replacing the HD. Just Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail, which can migrate to any other hardware you want anyway.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Why not simply clone? Is old drive faulty?

 

[ScottR02919]

Yes, the original drive reads BAD when I checked the disk and Windows prompted me to do a back up. So I am assuming this drive is about to crash. How would I clone the disk?

 

[gregrocker]

If either the old HD or replacement is a WD or Seagate HD then you can use Acronis premium cloning/imaging app to clone or image over the old OS to the new HD.

If not you can Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup to external with Win7 backup imaging then reimage the new HD. However the Win7 app is limited in options so you can only reimage the OS exactly as it lays on the current disk.

If you want more flexibility as to where you can place the old OS on the new disk use Macrium - Image your system or the Acronis free apps which are best.