hard drive backup

[theren_911]

hi, I need help! My Laptop HDD is packing up. I do have a spare but not got a copy of windows to put on it!

My laptop is a reconditioned one from PCworld so I didn't get the original vista disk. Is there a way to use my current HDD copied over to another one?

OR ideally find the windows key on this PC so I can reinstall from fresh on the new HDD.

any ideas! I'll be lost without my laptop!!

[Buenchico]

It sounds like you need some disk cloning software (preferably free!):
http://download.cnet....-2242_4-10964460.html

Chris

[VHG]

Buy an external hard disk enclosure, an EMPTY one. Make sure it can take 2.5" laptop disks. Put your spare hard disk in it.

Get a piece of cloning software like has been said.

Attach the external drive to the laptop.

Clone (copy) your existing hard disk to this new one in the external enclosure. This should make it an exact copy.

Take out the old hard disk and put the spare hard disk in the laptop case.

Laptop should now boot from the new spare hard drive.

Keep the old hard disk for a while "just in case".

[theren_911]

thanks for the answers, I'll give it a go! I've have an enclosure, so I'll try out he clone software you mentioned Buenchico.

:D