Replacing a hard drive

I know this topic has been broached before, but I am still trying to figure out how the whole thing works together. I want to replace my hard drive with something larger and copy my current hard drive info onto it.
From what I can tell, the following steps need to be taken:
- remove the old drive
- install the new drive
- format the new drive
- clone the old drive
Here are my questions:
1) If I remove the old drive first how do I then clone it?
2) How do I clone the old drive to the new drive before the new drive is formatted?
Can someone just go through the whole process step by step. I don't need every last detail, just the order of things. Thanks.

To answer #1 - Clone it before you remove it (typically with an external drive). #2 - Format the new drive while booted to your Install DVD or format while booted to your external drive (or other Intel Mac via firewire).
This link may help in the details you're looking for.

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Dear All,
Apologies, but I am new to forums and understand that the issue of "Authorisation" of Itunes purchases and rentals has been done to death! However, I have tried everything and have exhausted normal research on the Net, there doesnt seem to be standard sollution to my problem. I have replaced the Hard Drive in my Imac 2008 with an SSD which makes the Imac very fast and effcient and completely clean of the usual trash in an old computer. So before renting my first movie, I did the following:..................................
Formatted the hard drive and downloaded and upgraded to OSX to 10.5.8 (the latest I can go on this Imac (I think) Intel 3.06Ghz 2 core and 4GB SSDRAM)
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I checked that my apple User ID and password where up to date and that I was purchasing on the right ID
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I tried deleting the (/Users/Shared/SC info) file No luck
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I would be very grateful if somene could give me another sollution to try............................
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Double & triple check that you installed the hard drive correctly.

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I have a Vista Desktop and have determined that I need to replace the hard drive.
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Its easy Pal! You check your HDD first but not in the way you did. Just follow the steps with your old HDD.
1. Try a clean install(delete the partitions while installing OS) of other OS like linux or XP or Windows 7.
2. If it works properly the your HDD is OK.
3. Then work for some days with the OS installed to check the condition of HDD.
4. If any problem happens then you need to buy a new one or if its recently bought, go for RMA.
5. If there is no problem, then do a clean install(delete the partitions while installing OS) with your Vista Recovery.
6. Use a Better Security with MSE/Avira/Trand Micro
For Replacing with a different HDD, you must consult nearest HP Service Point for the change in your hardware configuration, so that they will register with Microsoft with the new HDD.
Note: Give the old and new HDD to HP Service Point employee.
** If your problem is solved then Mark this as Answer! **
** Please give Kudos If you want to Thank Me! **

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http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini
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Replacing a hard drive

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