Replacing HDD in my MBP - need some help

[jon08]

I plan to replace the HDD in my early-2008 MBP soon. I will then do a clean install of Snow Leopard on the new HDD. (From what I understand, I wouldn't need Leopard pre-installed on the HDD. Correct?)

So once the new HDD is placed inside the MBP and everything put back together: how can I then check the HDD for possible errors/malfunction right off the bat and format it (before installing anything on it)?

Is there anything else I should pay attention to before running the new HDD?

Thanks!

 

[oculus42]

Disk Utility is included on the Snow Leopard install disc (in the menus), and no, you do not need Leopard installed to load Snow Leopard.

 

[jon08]

Disk Utility is included on the Snow Leopard install disc (in the menus), and no, you do not need Leopard installed to load Snow Leopard.

So I can simply pop in the Snow Leopard disc right away and first do a format through Disk Utility, and then perform the clean install?

 

[oculus42]

Correct.

 

[jon08]

Good, thanks man. Another quick question: when in Disk Utility, there's a bunch of options of how you can format your disk. Which one should I choose?

Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? Or something else?

 

[MacManiac87]

Good, thanks man. Another quick question: when in Disk Utility, there's a bunch of options of how you can format your disk. Which one should I choose?

Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? Or something else?

Yup, Mac OS Extended Journaled. The first time I replaced a disc I bought one from Newegg, and I put in Panther, and the HD didn't show up! It was formatted in windows, so start up the MBP, you'll get a flashing ? sign, that's cool, just put in SN, disc Utility, Mac OS E Journaled,

 

[jon08]

Yup, Mac OS Extended Journaled. The first time I replaced a disc I bought one from Newegg, and I put in Panther, and the HD didn't show up! It was formatted in windows, so start up the MBP, you'll get a flashing ? sign, that's cool, just put in SN, disc Utility, Mac OS E Journaled,

Thanks! So while it's formatting the disk, it will automatically check all the sectors on the disk for possible errors/malfunction, and will notify me if something is potentially wrong with the disk?

 

[fehhkk]

The format in Disk Utility is not a sector by sector format, it's a "quick format"...

 

[jon08]

Oh, but is there a way to check the disk for errors right off the bat?

 

[oculus42]

You would need a disk utility to test it. You may find what you want in some Linux LiveCD, with which you could test the drive surface before trying to install Mac OS X.

 

[tenderidol]

If you are going to buy the "retail" version of the HD, it will/may have a CD with the necessary tool you are looking for... If you'll be getting an OEM HD, then a 3rd party application should do the trick.

 

[AnotherFanBoy]

The disc that comes with AppleCare has this feature as one of its tests.

 

[jon08]

If you are going to buy the "retail" version of the HD, it will/may have a CD with the necessary tool you are looking for... If you'll be getting an OEM HD, then a 3rd party application should do the trick.

I believe it's going to be an OEM HD... what third party app would you recommend then?