Need to be sure about what I want to do.

[dlw]

Sys is W7 Pro 32bit, 4g ram, 2.2ghz, 80gb hd.

Hd getting full, upgrading to 1tb.
Want to make sure I'm going about swapping out hd correctly.
If not, any help appreciated.

Only have one slot for a 3.5" hd in my box.
Have an external hd with 36g used and 124g free.

So, my thinking is: clone existing hd to external hd.
Install new hd.
Transfer data from external hd to new hd.

Questions;
Can I clone to external hd since it has data on it?
What cloning software is recommended? (free would be nice)
Does the above make sense?

TIA
Don

 

[bucknutty]

I would install the new HD and do a clean install. Computers always run so fast on a clean install.
Then plug the old HD into a free sata port, leave it dangling if you dont have a bay, or if it is a laptop I would spend 10 bucks on a Sata to USB adapter.
Then just copy all the stuff you need from the old HD to the new.
You will still have to reinstall all applications and software though.

 

[inerax]

might be better to get a dock that can hold 1-2 HDD's and just use a 1tb as an external. that way you wont have to worry about moving files around.

Is there any reason that would not work?

 

[dlw]

I'm trying figure out what is the best way.
Seems like having an external would be slower than internal.

 

[inerax]

depends on what you are using it for. I have an external to hold my music, games, movies and any other random files. I then have a internal running my OS and other junk related to the OS.

What are you going to use the 1tb for?

 

[dlw]

I bought the 1tb because it was a better price than those half it size.

I am an eCommerce retailer. The research I do requires speed.
The data I accumulate maintaining a website is growing fast.
I need space.