Desktop Hard Disk Upgrade Software
Future Systems Casper 5.0, available from fssdev $49.95 home,$89.95 PGP WDE encryption,$549.95 tech (there are other prices, like for upgrades)
disk upgrade SW. This SW actually works! The trial version is limited to exact-size clone. Full version works, however, ISO version 's dialogs would not fit on my screen on my older 98-era computer. Company is putting in that series of video drivers for it, so should be fixed by now. very responsive support for missing video drivers.
Symantec Norton Ghost 15.0 (1 User), available from product brief $49.99+1.99
bootable drive image backup to blu-ray (including 50GB blu-ray DL). also can upgrade hard disks. I have not tested this program for upgrading hard disks.
Laptop Hard Disk Upgrade
Read the reviews of users. get your IDE drive while you can. you may not be able to see any more then 137GB if your BIOS can't handle it, but chances are you won't have this problem.
2.5" Universal HD upgrade kit, available at apricorn $39, newegg.com $27.79+6.98
USB 2.0 upgrade kit without hard drive. comes with upgrade software. includes universal SATA/PATA/IDE usb 2.0 external hard drive case.
2.5" EZ Upgrade Universal & PATA Hard Drive Bundle HD upgrade kit w/160GB, available at apricorn $119
USB 2.0 upgrade kit with 160GB IDE/PATA hard drive. comes with upgrade software. includes universal SATA/PATA/IDE usb 2.0 external hard drive case.
2.5" Xtreme Upgrade 7200 RPM SATA HD upgrade kit w/320GB/500GB, available at apricorn $149,$169,$229
USB 2.0 upgrade kit without hard drive. comes with upgrade software. includes universal SATA usb 2.0 external hard drive case.
CMS Products HDD54-160 160GB 5400 RPM 2.5" PATA/IDE Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Retail, available from newegg $129.99+7.28
size is over the 137GB limitation of most older BIOSes and the original XP (pre SP1) limitation, but it worked even on my mother's old Dell C600/C500 laptop. one of the few remaining IDE drives left.
2.5" IDE/PATA hard drives (wide connector with LOTS of pins), available from newegg $40-140
only a few makes of drives left. My mother's old Dell Lattitude C600/C500 had no problem with a Samsung 160GB. it originally had a 5GB with XP SP2 and it sees close to 150GB (overhead).
2.5" SATA hard drives, available from newegg $40-260
prices are low because they are in abundance.
Laptop tools
General Tools 17 Piece Precision Screwdriver Set 63518 - Cyberguys.com, available at cyberguys.com $20
required to open the laptop access panel.