t42 hard drive upgrade

[sputnik611]

Hi all. I recently bought a T42 (2378FTU) with a 40GB hard drive. I need more storage space (mostly for mp3's) and wonder whether people recommend an external hard drive or replacing my internal hard drive. If it's the latter...
1) any brand recommendations?
2) is this something a relative newbie and non-techie can pull off?
3) how do you install windows XP/ SP2 on your new drive?

Thanks very much for you help.

[bevross]

...I need more storage space (mostly for mp3's) and wonder whether people recommend an external hard drive or replacing my internal hard drive...

Well, if it's only for mp3's then I'd use external media (even copy to CD). Where is it you want to play these mp3's -- on a portable player or from the PC or what? I can't see why mp3's take up that much space (hey, I create and offer them free on my website; see link in my sig)? Well, if it's to stockpile thousands of them, then copy to CD (or DVD if you have a burner).

1) any brand recommendations?

for a new internal drive, the HITACHI Travelstar 7K60 60GB 7200RPM. Not much bigger but better performing. For external -- depends on how you want to use it (e.g., a small 2.5inch external or a big 3.5 one that has to be plugged in). If you get a new internal, then you can use your existing hard drive as a USB external (put it in an enclosure). See http://www.apricorn.com/news_details.php?ID=7 for an example.

2) is this something a relative newbie and non-techie can pull off?

Easily (though time consuming to restore everything).

3) how do you install windows XP/ SP2 on your new drive?

Do a restore of the system (using recovery CDs you can create using the Rescue and Recovery program) and, if SP2's not included, update using the Microsoft CD or website

[sputnik611]

Thanks for that advice. In answer to your question, I want to play the mp3's on a portable device (i.e., an Ipod). My understanding is that it's best to back up your music library somewhere. I could do it on CD's (I don't have a DVD burner), but then I couldn't synch my Ipod with my computer. (I think -- I'm still figuring this out.) So it seems like the external drive is the best option.