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    HDD Swap

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by m3z2t, Aug 10, 2011.

  1. m3z2t

    m3z2t Newbie

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    Ok, I recently purchased a new HDD for my laptop because it was beeping/clicking occasionally, it is a 750gb WD Scorpio Black. I also bought an external hard drive case for the old drive that is compatible with the eSata.

    Now since I have never done this before can someone point me to a guide on how to format a drive and what would be the easiest way to carry out this swap considering I can access both hard drives at once?

    Thank you!!!

    P.S. I saw a video on how to remove the HDD already so I at least know how to do that much :p
     
    m3z2t, Aug 10, 2011
    #1
  2. Sam_A_1992

    Sam_A_1992 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well have you got a Win 7 disc? If so just pop the drive in then the disc, run it (win will format hdd automatically if it hasnt been used before) then install drivers. Btw what laptop have you got?
     
    Sam_A_1992, Aug 10, 2011
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  3. conscriptvirus

    conscriptvirus Notebook Evangelist

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    Documentation

    Unfortunately for the XPS 15, it is pretty difficult to get to the hard drive. It takes some prying for the palm rest and there are ALOT of screws, but it is definitely possible.
     
    conscriptvirus, Aug 10, 2011
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  4. m3z2t

    m3z2t Newbie

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    Yes, I got a Win7 disc. I got a Studio XPS 1640, the HDD take no time to pop out.
     
    m3z2t, Aug 10, 2011
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  5. Sam_A_1992

    Sam_A_1992 Notebook Evangelist

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    Make sure you download all your necessary drivers for your xps, you can find them on the dell driver site. Then put them on your external drive ready for the reinstall and back up all your data first.
     
    Sam_A_1992, Aug 10, 2011
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  6. m3z2t

    m3z2t Newbie

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    Ok so this is what I am going to do (let me know if any issues):

    1) Remove old HDD
    2) Place in new HDD
    3) Insert Win7 disc and let it do its thing
    4) Once that is all done I will attach my old HDD externally to transfer documents and music
    5) I will wipe the old HDD clean

    Is there any problems with this?
     
    m3z2t, Aug 10, 2011
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  7. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    That's what I would do. As noted, make sure you have downloaded the drivers to somewhere easy to find (like on a thumb drive or somewhere simple on the old HDD before you pull it).
     
    madmattd, Aug 10, 2011
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  8. hermitmaster

    hermitmaster Notebook Consultant

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    Assuming the new HDD is the same size or larger, you could use Clonezilla and clone the old drive to the new drive.
     
    hermitmaster, Aug 10, 2011
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  9. m3z2t

    m3z2t Newbie

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    Ok so I have done the HDD swap and everything has been successful.

    One problem:

    I put my old HDD in the external harddrive case but my computer won't recognize it. I have it connected via eSata and USB2.0. How do I fix this problem in order to access my old data?
     
    m3z2t, Aug 11, 2011
    #9