Migrating HD question

[rockinrocker]

Hi folks,
I'm about to pull the trigger on this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16822148184
for my MB.
I suspect this is a total newb question, but can i switch HD's without having to totally reload all my software (about 45 gigs worth of music software/samples) and settings and whatnot?

I have a 250 gig external firewire drive, could i just back up my whole current drive on it and drag 'n drop to the new one or something?

Thanks!

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

You can use Disk Utility with your current drive and the external. Restore the the current drive to the external, swap drives on your laptop, boot from the Firewire external and restore the Firewire external (source) to the new clean drive in the laptop (destination).

Shouldn't take more than a lot of hours