Adding second hard drive

Hi,

Wonder if I can get some thoughts on the following.

I have a HP dv7-1451 series notebook with a wd 500 gig 5400 rpm ata hdd.

The hard drive has 3 partitions "C" 235 Gb has the vista 64 bit home os and programs that I have loaded onto the computer. "D" 15 Gb which is the recovery drive and "F" 100 Gb that I added for my files, pictures, documents ect. There is also about 150Gb of free space on the drive.

I was basically given a new WD 3200 scoripo black 7200 rpm ata hdd in the box.

I want to install the 320 gb drive into the computer (there are 2 drive bays) and clone the current C and D partitions onto the new faster hdd. I will then use the 5400 rpm 500 Gb drive for storage, back ups ect.

Has anyone ever done this? I have never taken only specific partitions off one drive and put them on another especially a smaller drive. I will be using Acronis True Image Home for the cloning.

Any thoughts, guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

I forsee no complications. Just make absolutely sure you clone in the right direction. I used to use Acronis True Image at the computer shop I used to work at.

I have to wonder if the 7200 rpm drive will generate noticiably more heat.

 

Thanks for the reply Senlis,

Heat should not be too muh of an issue, I use the computer on hard surfaces only, but if a problem I will pick up a cooling pad.

I m just a little cautious about taking only specific partiotions of 1 drive and cloning them to another especiall a smaller hdd. No problem going the other way, but all should work out.

I always make complet back ups before any system work ect. so I should be covered.

Thanks again,

 

Don't worry about cloning the partition. As far as the cloning software is concerned the partition is just a different drive.

David

 

Hi again,

I have been successful at installing the new HDD into my laptop and moving the C and D partitions over.

I use Acronis TI Home 2009 for back ups and just made a new image and then restored the image to the new smaller HDD. I am a little dissapointed that when all is done I only have a drive that is just under 300 Gb. Oh well still have a fast HDD with the os intact and working w/o a hitch.

Thanks to all who replied.:-D