Changing/upgrading an IBM laptop hard drive.

[alzheimer]

I have an IBM T41 Thinkpad Laptop with a 40GB hard drive which is now inadequate. I hope to upgrade this for a much larger one. First of all is this a DIY job?
I have been advised to get an "Apricorn EZ Upgrade Universal Hard Drive Upgrade Kit"...which will make the whole job a breeze..yes - well they would say that!
Has anybody out there ever tried this and does it really work/help?
What concerns me is the change of size of the hard drive and how the "upgrade kit" would know how to partition the new drive correctly etc. As a total novice...I would really be grateful for some help on this please. Any suggestions anybody...or do I just admit defeat and head for the nearest (MANY miles away!) IBM/Lenovo agent!!

[rojash]

Yeah, it's a breeze. All you do is buy a new 2.5 form factor drive (you do realise that this kit doesn't include the hard drive?), shove it in the case, plug it in your USB 2 port. Then you run the software, which create an image of your old hard drive on the new one. It will automatically expand your existing partitions to keep the same (approximate) ratio.
Once you've got the new image, you simply swap the 2 drives, and reboot. Now that your old drive is in the external case, you can reformat it and use it as external storage.

[alzheimer]

Good Morning, rojash and bless you for your reassurances!
I was hoping it would be that simple! Happily I have a pc guru who is happy to do the the hands-on side of things but neither of us was up to speed with this Apricorn EZ Upgrade Kit...and we didn't want to mess up the set up!
I am just the one wot pays.so will now go ahead and get the new hard drive and the kit! Hopefully an IBM thinkpad with a 40GB drive won't have a hairy fit if I put in a 160GB one?! Laptops were never meant to do the job of desk top pc's I know - but at my age and stage I am hoping this one will!!
Many thanks again, yours aye, alzheimer.

[alzheimer]

Hi again rojash...if you are still around. I've got a supplementary query for you. I have ordered the piece of kit to to do the transfer..sounds ideal. BUT have encountered problems finding an IBM T41 160gb (even 100gb would be a vast improvment) hard drive. There IS a "Generic Notebook Hard Disk 2.5 Inch Drive 160GB IDE " available but I worry that an IBM won't recognise a NON IBM hard drive?. Would that one fit this laptop or will I have to hunt for IBM/Lenonvo's own make....which I believe are about four times the price...always saying I can find one this side of the Pond!! Any sugs?

[rojash]

All hard drives (of any specific type) are interchangeable. i.e. any IDE drive can be replaced by any other regardless of manufacturer. As long as the form factor is correct 2.5" for a laptop) you can buy any IDE drive you like.

[alzheimer]

You really are a mine of information, rojash! What a relief...I had just found an IBM 100gb hard drive and it costs
about �280...eek! The one I asked you about is 61 quid!!!!
NO contest if it is compatible... Here is one very happy OAP whose next stop is beloved Amazon!!
MANY thanks again for all your help....if there was a 5 star rating..you would get it!
yours aye
alzheimer