E-Machine w3644

[zodiacmaster]

I have a E-Machine w3644 with a 160 sata HD lately the hd is noisy lots of clicking and such system is running fine but my computer use to quieter should I invest in a new hd  and what would be the easiest way to transfer my data off this hd to the new hd without a complete reinstall my system disk installs a lot of crap I do not need  and it says I have 896 megs of ram I am assuming it has a gig would I see a increase in performance if I added a gig?

[xavier]

Back up the drive asap> i suggest http://www.acronis.com

[zodiacmaster]

Which download do I need and do I just plug in another wiped harddrive in my computer and run the software?

[Broni]

Acronis is not free.

Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

You run the program from dying hard drive (as soon, as possible) and you save the image to some external drive.

[zodiacmaster]

I downloaded Macrium Reflect I run the program and it list 2 partions what do I do to put the 2 partions to another HD ?
I do need to put the new HD into my computer first ?

[Broni]

I do need to put the new HD into my computer first ?

Yes.
As to what next, see here: http://www.macrium.com/blog/2009/07/19/HowToUseRoboRestoreToRestoreADiskImage.aspx

[zodiacmaster]

http://3btech.net/se16728mbbus.html  does that sound like a good deal?

[Broni]

You can get better deals at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=14&name=Internal-Hard-Drives