Replacing notebook HDD

Recently posted about my daughters' HP laptop running hot. You all generously provided me with some diagnostics and fixes. When all is said and done, it appears her hard drive is the culprit... it's running hot - like 112 degrees F. (From what I can discern, that's a bit too hot.) And, yes, as suggested, I have cleaned the fan and heat sink fins, etc.

The HDD is close to 75% full and since they're inexpensive, I think I just may replace the drive (go a bit larger and w/ faster rpm.) We've u/g the OS from it's original XP to Vista Home Premium. She also has "a ton of stuff" that she doesn't want to lose or give up. So here's the question(s):

What is the best way to get everything from the old HDD to the new one? I don't think using the recovery cd we made would work since I think it would take us back to XP. Should we maybe create new bootable and back up CD's and use them? Would I be better off using a portable hard drive to get everything off of her current one then install the new one and boot from the portable? At that point, how would I get everything over to the new drive in her laptop?

Sorry... I'm thinking I probably know these answers if I really put my brain into it.. but if I'm going to do this, I want to do it right and you folks have always provided me with the BEST info and direction (yeah, blatant sucking-up!!).

Thanks in advance!
Maggie

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=27238

this links gives you ideas on backing up your computer, where it may apply to you is it talks about mirroring your harddrive.
It's a start but if you hang on someone else will probably come through with other suggestions

 

And to answer one of your questions you can use a portable HD to copy files but if there are programs that require the executable files stored on your Hd then they will probably not work if copied from one drive to another.

 

Is it just data your wanting to transfer over? ie. documents, pictures, music etc.
Or is it software installations etc as well?

If it were me I'd take the opportunity to to do a reinstall of vista. Starting fresh is always nice for performance etc it also gives the oportunity to do some house keeping and remove things she no longer uses.

In this case just back up everything to some removeable media (DVD, USB key, a networked PC etc.)

If you want to copy everything straight over you'll need some imaging software. ie it will make an exact copy of your hardrive onto DVD, then use that disk to transfer to the new HD once you install it. Basically buy the software and follow there instructions for this one. Only one I've ever used is norton ghost but perhaps someone can give you a better/cheaper alternative.

 

Sorry forgot about the HP recovery disc creator.
I guess it's up to you which way you want to go, I've never tried to create a recovery disk after upgrading windows like that but as long as the software (the HP recovery disk creator) works in vista it should be fine. Nothing stopping you from trying it.
If it fails then either contact HP or try to upgrade the software online.
If that still doesn't work or your getting sick of it by then, just go the fresh install process. All the drivers/software that came pre-installed will be available for download from the HP website so don't worry about that (well provided it's a relatively recent model).

As I said personally I would do a fresh install (but I enjoy that sort of thing ) get everything installed and working and then make a new set of recovery disks.
Going the recovery disk route from the start though is probably simpler and less work though provided everything works fine (which it should).
If you do a fresh install make sure all the DVD/CD's you are going to need are still in working order and you have/can obtain keys for everything.