restore/install what first on new harddrive?

[internetgrass]

I am upgrading the size of my hard drive on my 2006 Macbook Pro, so I can run/upgrade the OS.
After I put the new hard drive in, which do i restore/install first? First restore my complete backup of my computer which includes the old OS 10.4.11 -or- first install the newer OS (10.6) and then throw on the entire old backup restore? Is there ever a conflict doing this or does the computer figure it out and keep the more current OS?

 

[NickZac]

Ideally you want to:

1) Format the drive using the 'Disc Utility' which can be run off of the OSX CD
2) Do a clean install of OSX (most current one) onto the formatted drive
3) Update the OS by going online
4) Use 'Migration Assistant' to move your programs and files over

Mind you, this will be dependent on you being able to connect 2 hard drives at once, and so you will need either an external USB drive or a kit to turn your existing HDD into an external (they are cheap)