T42 new hard disk install steps

[Lord_Lo]

Hi,

I am trying to put in a new HDD for my aging T42. I know that there are previous post installing new HDD but I am just wondering if my method will wok.

T42 2378-FVU

I am thinking of getting a Western Digital (WD2500BEVE) 250GB drive. Will this work? If not, I may get the 160GB.

1) Use Thinkvantage Rescue and Recovery to create a backup to a USB HDD. (bootable I hope)

2) Disable 'Hidden partition' in BIOS

3) Remove the old HDD (and from the drive caddy)

4) Put the new HDD in the caddy.

5) Enable 'Hidden partition' in BIOS and check the drive is recognized by BIOS.

6) Restart with USB HDD to try to restore the backuped OS.

Is the process sound or am I missing something important?

Thankx in advance.

R.

[andyP Community SuperMod]

LordLo, welcome to the forum,

Do you want to keep the hidden partition and it's function? R&R wont actually do this for you, but your method might work.

You might find this knowledgebase article helpful.

As you are upgrading to a WD drive I would download Acronis True Image WD Edition Software, it's free.   Install it on your system and create a rescue cd, you can then uninstall the software if you wish to.

[Lord_Lo]

Actually I prefer to keep the hidden partition. So you are saying if I disable it in the BIOS then when R&R restore it, it will not actually recreate the files in hidden partition?

[andyP Community SuperMod]

Recovering a new drive with an image created using R&R will not recreate the factory hidden partition.