Hard Drive replacement.

[alavahalf]

On another thread I recently asked about how restore disks could be created. The reason being,
I was given an almost new laptop, by a customer who had no further use for it, they had given up trying to master the computer.
The laptop is an Acer Aspire 5315 ... running Vista.
... (the laptop is .. as supplied from the manufacturer)...

The only problem I have is the size of the hardrive .. 80gb ..now the (C:) part is 40gb ... and the other part is showing as (D:) DATA is also showing as 40gb.
The C section is almost full and the D section is almost empty.
When I received this laptop it had no software whatsoever... I cant find any info on creating restore disks (not quite sure what I'm looking for).
So if I want to replace the hard drive for something larger what is the best thing to do.
Remember the C drive has 35gb used ... and I'm guesing the data part is something to do with restoring.
Obviously I would prefer not to line Microsofts pockets anymore... so whats the best course of action to increase the size of the hard drive.
The laptop has the Microsoft coa badge attached.

[VHG]

The Data part is NOT for restoring, it is just what is says, it is for DATA.

Data can be any personal file such as digital photos, word files and other office documents, video files, music and so on.

So you dont need to increase the size of the hard drive, just move personal files from C to D. This is easy to do with cut and paste or drag and drop. Note: DONT move Windows files or program files, just move personal files.

I am a bit confused when you say the laptop had no software on it whatsoever. So did you put Viata on it or was it on there when you got it (so it DID have software on it).

If the laptop is as it was when supplied by the manufacturer have a look at all the options on the main Windows menu, there may be an option on there for making restore disks or making backup disks (or words to that effect).

[VHG]

>>>When I received this laptop it had no software whatsoever

Having reread your question then maybe I misunderstood the above statement.

Perhaps you were saying it had no software on CD or DVD, rather than no software on the actual laptop.

[alavahalf]

The laptop was given to me along with the power supply cord ... nothing else was received as in software, disks, manuals etc.
It was all a bit bit congested so all I did was Disk Cleanup ... and defragment.
It has run perfectly for the past six months ... I just thought it would be better if there was a bit more breathing space on the HD.
Must admit I only use it to browse,and not for accessing anything security related, and I dont store any photos or documents on it ...everything like that is on my desktop.

[rojash]

"Must admit I only use it to browse,and not for accessing anything security related, and I dont store any photos or documents on it ...everything like that is on my desktop."

That's a very ambiguous statement!
Do you mean that you keep physical photos and printed documents on a physical desktop?. If you mean that you put photos and documents on the "desktop" of your computer (i.e. the bit with icons on it), then you are storing them on your hard drive, so the statement is self-contradictory.

[alavahalf]

Sorry if I've caused a bit of confusion ... I'm still recovering from one of these nasty viral illnesses that seems to have floored everyone around me. It has affected everything, including the ability to think and make sense.

When I said.. 'desktop'.. I was refering to a totaly independent system, that sits at the side of my desk. ( It has plenty hard drive storage).