Thinkpads Forum

OK, so I have a T60 with a 40GB HDD and would like to upgrade to something a bit more substantial...I am not worried about the backup, removal, and install - but what I am worried about is how I will install XP along with all the other Lenovo programs (Access Connections, for example) on my new HDD seeing as there aren't any discs that came with the computer. I'm positive I'm not the first to have this concern, but I can't seem to find a thread that will help me with this...so, what is my plan of action here? As always, many thanks!

You have two courses of action:
-purchase or burn recovery disks from which you can perform a clean install
-clone your existing drive to your new drive so as to bypass the installation process and preserve all your installed programs, settings and so on
I would clone instead of reinstalling. You should find a wealth of tutorials on this site explaining how to perform the operation. Some drives are bundled with the required hardware and software but the hardware is cheap and you need not pay for the software really.

I would also seriously consider replacing my HD with an SSD.

If I was going to move to a larger HDD, I would just clone the old drive onto the new. That way you preserve all the updates, applications, features and what-not you have installed already. Here is one how-to. What Hfat wrote is good advise.

HFat wrote:You have two courses of action:
-purchase or burn recovery disks from which you can perform a clean install
-clone your existing drive to your new drive so as to bypass the installation process and preserve all your installed programs, settings and so on
I would clone instead of reinstalling. You should find a wealth of tutorials on this site explaining how to perform the operation. Some drives are bundled with the required hardware and software but the hardware is cheap and you need not pay for the software really.

I would also seriously consider replacing my HD with an SSD.

I really appreciate the responses guys - but I'm not sure that cloning is the best option. I plan on reformatting my computer anyway, so cloning the drive only to wipe it clean and start fresh (with some of the Lenovo programs, the Lenovo partition, etc...) seems like an extra un-needed step. I think, then, my best option is to purchase or burn the recovery disks. I assume that using those disks I can still have the partition set, and that in the future I won't need the discs, but can use Rescue/Recovery - correct? Who knows - maybe cloning is the best option...but I'm thinking that since the HDD is so cluttered that it's a bit of a waste.

Also, what would the advantages of a SSD be? I'm thinking that for what I use the computer for (internet, MS Office, etc...) that it's not needed? I mean, $70 for a 330Gb, 7200RPM drive seems like a perfect match for me. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148446

EDIT: OR, I suppose I could to the reinstall/format on the old HDD right now, and then get it setup to my liking (settings, programs, etc...) and then clone that to the new HDD when it arrives...thus giving me a fresh system, and a newer/larger HDD with the ability to reformat in the future without discs. Thoughts?

If your 40 gig hard drive still has the original IBM recovery partition, back up all your irreplaceable data, then boot the T60 into the R&R recovery partition and reinstall the OS to factory new condition. Then update XP using Windows update as well as updating
all the Lenovo ThinkVantage programs. You might as well install your favorite apps too. Then when you have it all
set up the way you like it, clone the 40 gig into the new larger hard drive.

This is what I did on my T60 and I had no issues. I used the trial version of Acronis Home and it even cloned the
recovery partition. Acronis created a bootable CD, I then removed the old hard drive and placed it in an USB external hard drive enclosure
and installed the new hard drive in the hard drive bay in the T60. I booted off the CD, it recognized the USB external hard drive, and recognized the new internal hard drive. Acronis asked me if I wanted to clone the external to the internal, I clicked OK and after a while I had a fully bootable clone of my original hard drive. It was a painless procedure. Good luck.

I would recommend the 5400rpm version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148455 rather than the 7200rpm.
Runs less hot and more quiet.

I don't have a T60, but AFAIK it is still possible to burn a set of Product Recovery Discs on DVD or CD/R. This would be your best bet. Replace the hard drive, boot up the Product Recovery Discs, and install everything fresh as your ThinkPad came from the factory.

Look through your Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage menu for this option to burn the disks (you can only do this one time until the system has be reinstalled). When you use the disks, you choose Restore Factory Contents after the first disk has booted up. After installing the data from the remaining disk(s), the system will reboot from the hard drive into Rescue and Recovery. You have to again choose Restore Factory Contents for Windows and the factory software to be installed. The help system from pressing the ThinkVantage key should provide this information I believe.

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Another alternative would be if you have access to a XP OEM CD, you can install that and use the product key from the sticker on the bottom of the ThinkPad (if it is a XP product key). You would need to follow the steps from the link below for the install to work.

Installation instructions for Windows XP - ThinkPad T60, T60p

It is important to install the Intel Chipset and Windows Update modules before installing your remaining drivers and software.

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T60, T60p

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T60, T60p widescreen

ARD wrote:If your 40 gig hard drive still has the original IBM recovery partition, back up all your irreplaceable data, then boot the T60 into the R&R recovery partition and reinstall the OS to factory new condition. Then update XP using Windows update as well as updating
all the Lenovo ThinkVantage programs. You might as well install your favorite apps too. Then when you have it all
set up the way you like it, clone the 40 gig into the new larger hard drive.

This is what I did on my T60 and I had no issues. I used the trial version of Acronis Home and it even cloned the
recovery partition. Acronis created a bootable CD, I then removed the old hard drive and placed it in an USB external hard drive enclosure
and installed the new hard drive in the hard drive bay in the T60. I booted off the CD, it recognized the USB external hard drive, and recognized the new internal hard drive. Acronis asked me if I wanted to clone the external to the internI jal, I clicked OK and after a while I had a fully bootable clone of my original hard drive. It was a painless procedure. Good luck.

Reading through this I realized a potential snag I might have - I don't have an enclosure for a 2.5'' HDD, only for my old 3.5'' HDD...this seems like the best way to go, cloning the HDD - but I don't want to buy an external enclosure for it right now as well. Balls. I appreciate the detailed advice - but I think I'm going to have to go the route of the recovery CD(s)...which, I suppose in the end works just as well?

RealBlackStuff wrote:I would recommend the 5400rpm version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148455 rather than the 7200rpm.
Runs less hot and more quiet.

Interesting...It has a 7200rpm drive now, which I went with for performance...but I suppose now at this point, especially considering the battery is older, I would be wise to sacrifice the performance increase (probably minimal, huh?) in favor of a quieter, cooler, and more efficient drive.

GomJabbar wrote:I don't have a T60, but AFAIK it is still possible to burn a set of Product Recovery Discs on DVD or CD/R. This would be your best bet. Replace the hard drive, boot up the Product Recovery Discs, and install everything fresh as your ThinkPad came from the factory.

Look through your Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage menu for this option to burn the disks (you can only do this one time until the system has be reinstalled). When you use the disks, you choose Restore Factory Contents after the first disk has booted up. After installing the data from the remaining disk(s), the system will reboot from the hard drive into Rescue and Recovery. You have to again choose Restore Factory Contents for Windows and the factory software to be installed. The help system from pressing the ThinkVantage key should provide this information I believe.

----------------------------
Another alternative would be if you have access to a XP OEM CD, you can install that and use the product key from the sticker on the bottom of the ThinkPad (if it is a XP product key). You would need to follow the steps from the link below for the install to work.

Installation instructions for Windows XP - ThinkPad T60, T60p

It is important to install the Intel Chipset and Windows Update modules before installing your remaining drivers and software.

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T60, T60p

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T60, T60p widescreen

I could get access to an OEM XP CD through nefarious means...but I think I'll keep this on the up and up. Time to dig up some blank CDs and get burning! That is, unless my 3.5'' enclosure could hold a 2.5'' drive.


Thanks a ton fellas!

So I went to Micro Center and picked up the WD HDD (5400 RPM) for $5 more than at NewEgg...but for all the satisfaction of having it now. I also picked up a cheap ($24) case for my old HDD...this, of course, was after burning the RR discs (all 7 of them!). I think I will try the cloning route...something about that seems like the better route. Maybe it's just because all of you guys suggested it?