Chosen Solution

The hard drive in my Samsung is starting to make weird noises. I want to do a system image (or somethign similar) of this disk, buy a new disk drive (any suggestions for a good disk drive are welcome), and then install the new disk and copy everything over to the new disk. . I am hoping this process will help me not having to install windows and other softwares all over again. I would appreciate any and all guidance. Thank you

  1. first leave the original hard drive in the computer
  2. connect your new one via USB
  3. install Macrium Reflect free to the old hard drive http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
  4. run Macrium Reflect, and clone to the new one
  5. swap out the old for the new