Restoring system image to new larger HDD

[AWS]

O/S Win7

C: INT 80gb System Drive

D: INT 500gb Back-Up

J: EXT HDD 750gb WD Black

 

In brief:

My O/S 80gb HDD C: has failed. I've sent off for a new 1 TB HDD to apply a system image from an internal HDD back up image. (I'll also want to partition it...Best size for an O/S' headroom?) but I'm wary of the steps to take because of the below steps and outcomes to attempt fixing the no booting I firstly tried, due to misdiagnosing the situation.

 

Note: Also tried booting with just failed HDD installed with different cables to be sure.

 

01 - No boot, booted from O/S Disc. I noticed 2X HDDs, where "Back-UP" D, had now changed to "C: Back-Up", and what I thought was the original O/S C: drive was now J: (But was in fact the EXT 750gb HDD I forgot was plugged in!!!) So thought somehow the drive letters had somehow changed. Ergo not booting because "C: Back-Up" had no O/S files. (I now know in fact the original C: O/S HDD must have failed and somehow D: got bumped back to C:) "If that's possible?

 

02 - Applied a saved system image from newly listed "C: Back-Up" (was D:) using O/S Disc tools to EXT HDD J:, but still wouldn't boot. I only then realised I'd copied a system image to my EXT HDD...Dohhh!

03 - F8 tapping to put EXT HDD first boot device. Again no boot!, and now showing still as J: but with a capacity of 80gb instead of actual 750gb!!!

 

Q. With confusing the EXT HDD as being my O/S HDD I've re-imaged whilst the failed original INT 80gb O/S HDD was connected. May that have some bearing? (Now pulled out)

Q. Now when the New INT HDD arrives and I install it, I am concerned that it will apply another drive letter other than (C:) to it, again stopping me from booting because of the previous experience above?

Q. I read O/S back up images like to be installed on a partition of the same size as the original image was ripped from, but I'd prefer a bit more headroom on the new HDD for it if possible?

 

If anyone could give me some insight how to go about this I'd be very greatful.

 

Regards

Paul

 

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