Jump to content

Replace laptop's faulty hdd

CiccioBraun
 Share
Posted

Hello everyone.

My 6-year-old laptop hard drive is faulty (SMART predicted failure, or something like this) and since it was so old I decided to replace it instead of repairing.

Right now my laptop has a primary SSD and this secondary drive in which I have installed almost every program and where all my folders (users, desktop, images, etc...) are located.

Ever since the PC started to warn me, I tried to back up that drive with the Windows utility, but it has always failed (backup on my external drive), so for now I just copied my whole users folder so I have a copy of the most important files.

Now my new HDD arrived. How do I replace the old one? Any third party program? Can I just copypaste everything using the external drive?

Thanks in advance, and as usual I apologize for any grammar mistake

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/382715-replace-laptops-faulty-hdd/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hello everyone.

My 6-year-old laptop hard drive is faulty (SMART predicted failure, or something like this) and since it was so old I decided to replace it instead of repairing.

Right now my laptop has a primary SSD and this secondary drive in which I have installed almost every program and where all my folders (users, desktop, images, etc...) are located.

Ever since the PC started to warn me, I tried to back up that drive with the Windows utility, but it has always failed (backup on my external drive), so for now I just copied my whole users folder so I have a copy of the most important files.

Now my new HDD arrived. How do I replace the old one? Any third party program? Can I just copypaste everything using the external drive?

Thanks in advance, and as usual I apologize for any grammar mistake

Use backup and restore and create an image of your user settings. 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | CPU Cooler: Stock AMD Cooler | Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING (WI-FI) | RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (4x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 | GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB Zotac Mini | Case: K280 Case | PSU: Cooler Master B600 Power supply | SSD: 1TB  | HDDs: 1x 250GB & 1x 1TB WD Blue | Monitor: 24" Acer S240HLBID | OS: Win 11 Pro.

 

Home Lab:  Lenovo ThinkCenter M82 Hyper-V Server 2022 | Dell OptiPlex 9020 Hyper-V Server 2022 | TP-LINK TL-SG108E | Cisco Catalyst C2960CG 8 Port Switch | HP MicroServer G8 SCCM Server | 2x Dell PowerEdge R630 Hyper-V Server 2022

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hello everyone.

My 6-year-old laptop hard drive is faulty (SMART predicted failure, or something like this) and since it was so old I decided to replace it instead of repairing.

Right now my laptop has a primary SSD and this secondary drive in which I have installed almost every program and where all my folders (users, desktop, images, etc...) are located.

Ever since the PC started to warn me, I tried to back up that drive with the Windows utility, but it has always failed (backup on my external drive), so for now I just copied my whole users folder so I have a copy of the most important files.

Now my new HDD arrived. How do I replace the old one? Any third party program? Can I just copypaste everything using the external drive?

Thanks in advance, and as usual I apologize for any grammar mistake

 

Hey CiccioBraun,
 
You have a couple of options.
Since you are transferring a HDD to a larger HDD, you can simply clone it over, keeping everything as it is (programs, partitions, size of the different partitions, etc.) and the rest of the drive will be left unallocated which you can manage from the Disk Management. I would recommend checking out Acronis True Image. It usually has a free version for each major manufacturer. What is the brand and model of the old and new HDD?
 
Another option, as @Abdul201588 suggested, you can create an image of your drive and restore it on the new drive. Here's a link with more info on that: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/restore-computer-from-system-image-backup#1TC=windows-7
 
Captain_WD.

If this helped you, like and choose it as best answer - you might help someone else with the same issue. ^_^
WDC Representative, http://www.wdc.com/ 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Sorry, I forgot to mention.

The old one is a Samsung (it was stock with my Sony Vaio), the new one a WD Blue.

Both 5400, Both 320Gb

 

You shouldn't have problems with the cloning procedure in that case. :)
You can use Acronis True Image WD Edition: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=A3XOjj
 
Captain_WD.

If this helped you, like and choose it as best answer - you might help someone else with the same issue. ^_^
WDC Representative, http://www.wdc.com/ 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

You shouldn't have problems with the cloning procedure in that case. :)

You can use Acronis True Image WD Edition: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=A3XOjj

Captain_WD.

It says I can't install it since I don't have any WD drive...of course I don't, I want to back up my old Samsung before swapping!

I feel incredibly stupid :D

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

It says I can't install it since I don't have any WD drive...of course I don't, I want to back up my old Samsung before swapping!

I feel incredibly stupid :D

 

You have to have a brand's drive connected to the computer in order to install the application. I'm guessing you would have to connect the WD drive externally to your system and then install the program. You can find more details in the manual: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=wvIk83
 
Captain_WD.

If this helped you, like and choose it as best answer - you might help someone else with the same issue. ^_^
WDC Representative, http://www.wdc.com/ 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Storage Devices

×