I've done that a lot.
I use Acronis to "write out" an Image file to an External HD,
and then swap drives and read the Image file back into the Laptop.

I do it with the USB ports (USB 2 is almost a necessity),
and ONLY do it with an Acronis boot CD program type.

Rick Glazier

From: "John Clemence"

Hi,
I have just been preparing my old Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop to give to my daughter.
I have formated and re-installed XP prof o/s, upgraded with service packs 2 & 3 and put on lots of other programmes.
I now realise that the existing hard drive might be a little small. I am consequentally wondering if I have to go through all this 
again if I put a larger hard drive in? Is there any way I could make a copy of the hard drive by putting it in a USB h / d dock and 
then replacing the existing drive with the copy?
I would appreciate any thoughts on this.
Thank you.
Regards,
John. 

        The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website,
           web based bulletinboard for questions and answers:
              Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com