Migrating system image to bigger drive

[OldRoy]

I have a Win7/64 home PC with a system 1Tb drive that's overstuffed and getting on in years. I'd like to migrate a system image (created using OS tool) to a newer, larger drive. I've been thinking about using the Seagate 2Tb hybrid unit (Scan LN53475). If I replace the drive and boot from a system restore CD I assume I can restore to the new drive but with leftover un-partitioned space.
Qs:
1) Is this essentially correct?
2) Would it be advisable to pre-format the new drive?
3) Would it be advisable to pre-partition (using free Partition Magic)? It's been many years since I used partitioning software and I recall more problems than solutions...
4) Does the hybrid format go any way to curing the gradual slowdown of aging system software? I have a lot of applications installed on this PC too. Assuming that the system image will be essentially identical to its "donor"?

Apologies for the multiple questions. I've failed to get clear answers on another site as people insist on answering different questions to that being asked!
Roy

[shaithis]

If you have used Windows Backup to create the image, yes, you need to boot form the Windows 7 DVD to restore it.

When you tell it you want to restore, it will look for the backup files, this is the point where I find it sometimes falls down (probably because I backup to a LAN, so YMMV).....if it does, then you will need to boot to command line and use wbadmin.exe to perform the restore (a bit of a PITA if your not au fait with command line apps)

1. Yes
2. No need
3. No need
4. Maybe. It will all depend on what is making windows feel slow and what ends up on the SSD of the hybrid drive. I am sure there will be some improvements but how much is anyones guess.

[OldRoy]

You'd have thought that this was a common enough requirement for someone to come up with the answer. As usual it's a case of DIY. The answer is to use the Seagate "DiscWizard" tool although there is a minor limitation. All the information you need is in my post at the end of the following thread.
In the course of figuring this out I've posted the question n several places; it's quite amazing the amount of obfuscation, carping and misinformation that abounds on these kinds of forums.
0/10 Hexus.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...8-bdacb784641d

[scaryjim]

...
In the course of figuring this out I've posted the question n several places; it's quite amazing the amount of obfuscation, carping and misinformation that abounds on these kinds of forums.
0/10 Hexus.

So you're rating an entire forum on the basis of wanting professional level support at no cost, when someone has spent their own free time, at no expense to you, giving answers to all the questions you asked? Shaithis' answers to your questions are succinct and accurate.

I'm sure you're frustrated by the issues you're facing, but complaining about a forum where people are actively trying to help you is unlikely to get you many positive responses...

[Bonebreaker777]

Agree with ScaryJim, Oldroy's post seems to be a bit of a witch hunt.

Anyway, what I would've suggested to do would been using a free disc cloning software/freeware.
You are using a desktop so I assume so you have free (SATA) ports for an additional drive (unlike when you are on a laptop).

You have several options when using 'free' disc cloning with a lot of benefits - no need to partition or format, it's fast, can be run while your OS is running, etc.

I wouldn't really bother with a SSHD, beside booting the benefits of a SSHD are minimal at best (unless the price difference is minimal). Buy a faster bigger HDD or save up for a SSD. Also SSHDs are slightly different to SSDs, depends which solution you have (Toshiba+Seagate vs WD) plus the behaviour is controlled by the OS (what files to save to the cache after how many uses,etc). A faster bigger HDD would be more beneficial or a small SSD for those crucial programs of your.