Move winXP to my new disk?

My old laptop has become very slow and I just read from Micro Mart that it could be a sign of beginning of end for the HDD. Now I have a USB docking station where I can copy my documents but I wonder could I use it with cloning software as well? I'm not entirely bothered about loosing the programs - it's a good way to "clean up" all the software I don't really use - but the laptop is second-hand and I don't have the drivers or OS. At least I think I can use the docking station with laptop drives as well as desktop ones.

I'm still not clear oh how much technical knowledge I need for Acronis or Norton - which one would be better for me? Or, considering of how much I'm likely to use the software, would I be better off taking the laptop and new hard drive to a repair shop and ask them to clone it - maybe they can get rid of a lot of the junk which was left behind from previous owner (his name and company comes up automatically every time I want to install/register new software, which I'll delete and add mine) for example, it looks like there are drivers for a TV card, which I never had, with snippets of films. I just hope that when the TV licence inspector comes round, he doesn't accuse of me having TV...

 

Re: How do I move winXP to my new disk?

I'll tell you the simple way to get it done. A title that I was told about is called "Casper". Casper is just as it sounds. The 'friendly ghost'. It's available to try out at http://www.brothersoft.com/casper-download-83153.html. I've used it for about a month, and this is THE BOMB!!! You will love how easy it is to clone your drive to another. Have fun.
Tony

 

Re: How do I move winXP to my new disk?

Thanks Tonyrush, I'll give it a go.

So, do you think that's what might ail my laptop? I do update and run spyware programs and AVG as well as CCleaner practically every time I've been on the net and have reg cleaner utility called TuneUp Utilities 2007 running regular checks (as well as me doing it manually time to time). I hardly ever turn the laptop off though, so there is some wear and tear but I noticed the slowdown especially when starting Word 2000, after downloading Office 2007 - Also, MS has started to act more like Vista security wise, asking if I really want to do that and insisting on password after coming back to idle machine - something it never did before. Must be those critical updates that MS likes to install, without really telling all of their implications.

Do you know if I can buy any laptop hard drive or does it have to be especially from Toshiba? I've heard that Dell, for example, has its proprietary hardware and it's more expensive than if you could buy a third party one. Mine is Toshiba Satellite, but I don't know any more details, as which version (It has a sticker claiming it's got Centrino duo in it.) I've never had a laptop before or upgraded one.

 

Re: How do I move winXP to my new disk?

You're welcome! And if you find any good resources for RAM for your Satellite, I am looking for some. I have a satellite too. Thanks,
Tony

 

You can use any brand of laptop hard drive as long as it is the same type. Laptop hd's come in SATA and EIDE (an perhaps another type, not sure). A program like SIW should tell you what kind of hard drive you have. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4387.html

Or you can just shut down the computer and pull out the drive and see what kind it is. Some laptop drives have an adapter on the hard drive, so keep that in mind. It is removable, no big deal, but the new drive won't work without the adapter from the old drive.

This link seems pretty good http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2603 I would get the 5400 or faster RPM hard drive for speed.

 

It's not hard drive that I need, but RAM. Thanks for the info on the hard drive though!

 

The hard drive info was for claptrap. If you need help with RAM Tonyrush, start a thread in the hardware section. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22