How difficult would this be to do myself?

[Billmanweh]

I have a T60 and would like to add a new HD and another piece of RAM.

I bought an external HD, ghosting software, the HD, and the RAM. I thought I would make the ghost image of my current HD on the external drive, then install the new HD and transfer everything back. I don't know what order the RAM should go in.

I'm just curious how difficult this should be. I'd prefer to try and do it myself if it's fairly simple. I'm a total layperson when it comes to computers. I'm installed RAM in my desktop and that's about it.

[mgo]

I have a T60 and would like to add a new HD and another piece of RAM.

I bought an external HD, ghosting software, the HD, and the RAM. I thought I would make the ghost image of my current HD on the external drive, then install the new HD and transfer everything back. I don't know what order the RAM should go in.

I'm just curious how difficult this should be. I'd prefer to try and do it myself if it's fairly simple. I'm a total layperson when it comes to computers. I'm installed RAM in my desktop and that's about it.

In talking about "ghosting software" do you mean Norton Ghost? If so, I have no experience with that product, I use Acronis. More than likely it behaves like Acronis.

You install the program, and then create a boot CD (critically important because your ghosting program will not appear on the new drive, of course) and then create the image on your external drive (I assume that is a USB external drive)

Then, plug in your new drive, boot over the CD drive you created and restore the image. It should be fairly straightforward.

Install your new RAM while the current hard drive is in the machine. Then boot up and make sure the machine recognizes the new RAM before you go on to the imaging procedure.

[Billmanweh]

In talking about "ghosting software" do you mean Norton Ghost? If so, I have no experience with that product, I use Acronis. More than likely it behaves like Acronis.

What I have is Acronis.

[mgo]

In talking about "ghosting software" do you mean Norton Ghost? If so, I have no experience with that product, I use Acronis. More than likely it behaves like Acronis.

What I have is Acronis.

OK then, you should be good to go. Acronis has worked well for me for years and dozens of image and restore jobs successfully done.

[Billmanweh]

So in general, is the entire thing something a non-computer guy should be able to do?

[mgo]

So in general, is the entire thing something a non-computer guy should be able to do?

Yes, just remember that if something does not go right, you can simply slide the old hard drive back in and still use the machine as before. Imaging does not remove anything from the original drive.

Just be gentle when inserting or removing the drives to avoid damaging the pins. Take your time, and don't force the drives in or out. Sometimes they can be a little difficult to remove. Tolerances inside the chassis are tight.

[Billmanweh]

Ok, I think I'll try it this weekend. I think there are some how-to videos posted on the lenovo site. I can access those from my desktop while I do it.

Sounds good. I might be back if I screw something up.

[mgo]

Ok, I think I'll try it this weekend. I think there are some how-to videos posted on the lenovo site. I can access those from my desktop while I do it.

Sounds good. I might be back if I screw something up.

An additional note: When inserting the memory module, it goes in at an angle, and then is pushed down till the metal clips snap it into lock. Again, do not force, but "work" the module into the slot. If you still have your computer's quick start or other manuals there is usually a howto on memory install, or Lenovo might have it on their website.