Help with installing new hard drive and transferring data?

I have a MacBook Pro 13-inch mid 2009 that is running OS X version 10.6.8. The hard drive is full and I have a new one I'd like to install, but I am awfly intimidated. I'm hoping that someone could shed some light on kindergarten-style step-by-step instructions on how to make the switch. I'm mostly concerned about the data transfer part. I've found a handy video about physically installing the drive, so I think I'll be ok there.
Here are the items I have in preperation for the switch:
• 1.0 TB Hitachi Travelstar 7200RPM Hard Drive
• Portable bus-powered USB 3.0 storage solution (to turn my old hard drive into an external hard drive)
• Tools including a small phillips screwdriver and some Torx Screwdrivers
• Time Machine Extermal Hard Drive with all of my backups
Here are some things I have read that I find to be confusing
• Some suggest I should transfer my data from the old hard drive to new new one BEFORE I install the new one. (I'm not sure how that works.)
• Some suggest upgrading to the latest OS X before transferring any data. (Would that be Mavericks? I haven't upgraded to that yet. Is that necissary?)
• Some suggest that I will need the MacBook Pro's installation disk to make the switch. (I don't know where that disk is. Do I really need it?)
If anyone can clarify any of the above issues that I've listed as confusing, that would be great. Also, if anyone can help me figure out what steps to do first, second, third, etc., that would be great.
Thanks!

Also,
Will I need the install disks for the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft office when I put in the new hard drive?

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Does the M10 only accept a certain make/model?
Also does anyone know what the highest capacity the M10 will accept?
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J

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YAY!
I didn't try shift-start of iTunes, but I DID GET MY PLAYLISTS BACK BY FOLLOWING YOUR OTHER ADVICE:
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C:\Users\Owner\NEW OWNER FOLDER\Music\iTunes
which overwrote the file which was located there.
When I opened iTunes, ALL MY WONDERFUL PLAYLISTS WERE THERE!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SOLVING THIS FOR ME!
CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW DISAPPOINTED I FELT WHEN I BELIEVED THAT I HAD LOST ALL OF THE PLAYLISTS WHICH I HAD CREATED OVER THE YEARS? Many of my playlists were composed of whole albums whose songs I had added to iTunes.
THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH!

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****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

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(105476)

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Hi,
Before trying the following, make sure you can still read the 25 Character Product Activation key on your Windows COA label ( 5 blocks of 5 alpha/numeric sets ).
Assuming that this is just a problem with the Recovery process, there is a straight forward work around if you have ( or can borrow ) a retail Windows 7 installation disc that is exactly the same version as your OEM installation - ie if your notebook came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit this is the exact retail version you would need.
If you don't have access to a retail disc, you can create an installation disc yourself using another PC - just download the correct Disc Image from the link below and use an application such as ImgBurn to burn the ISO correctly to a blank DVD - a guide on using ImgBurn to write an ISO to a disc is Here. These Images are clean and from a well-respected source, however there are only limited versions available.
Windows-7 sp1-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit
Use the disc to perform the installation, enter the Windows activation key found on the COA Label when requested and when the installation has completed, use the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below to activate the OS - this method supported by Microsoft and is popular with people who just want a clean installation of Windows 7 without the additional software load normally bundled with OEM installations.
http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx
Any additional drivers you may need can be found Here.
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Help with installing new hard drive and transferring data?

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