Dell Optiplex 755 Hard Drive Upgrade

You get an APRICORN DRIVE WIRE and clone the old to the new if its a new blank hard drive.

You F12 boot the CD that comes with the kit and clone the old to the new drive.

http://www.amazon.com/Apricorn-DriveWire-Universal-Adapter-ADW-USB-KIT/dp/B000QY9KIS

The software that comes with Apricorn Drive wire works fine up to windows 7.  The latest version of the software works with windows 8.

http://www.apricorn.com/media/uploads/EZGigIV_Manual.pdf

Norton Ghost only works up to 7 also.  The current version of acronis claims to work with windows 8.  The reason I like the drive wire is that you get a bootable CD and dont have to install anything.

Highlights

   Compatible with almost any 2.5" or 3.5" IDE/PATA or SATA Hard Drive

   Offers Plug-n-Play connectivity

   Bundled with USB 2.0 Cable, AC Adapter and Apricorn's Upgrade Suite CD

Overview

The DriveWire IDE/PATA/SATA to USB Hard Drive Adapter from Apricorn is an ideal solution for transferring the data from a desktop or laptop PC to a new hard drive in a few easy steps. With this DriveWire Adapter you can easily transfer your OS, data, applications, documents, address books, e-mail, settings and preferences - from the old drive to a new drive, in few easy steps. DriveWire Adapter is bundled with Apricorn's "Upgrade Suite" which features EZ Gig II cloning software for Windows and Shirt Pocket's SuperDuper for Mac. Just attach your 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive to the appropriate connector on DriveWire's cable head. Then connect the AC power adapter and the USB cable. Now, boot up your computer using the "Upgrade Suite" bootable CD and make and exact clone of the old drive onto a new drive. After the transfer is completed, install the new hard drive into the desktop or laptop, and the computer will boot up just like normal.

This DriveWire adapter provides a SATA connector for the new style drives as well as 44-pin connector for a 2.5" Notebook IDE/PATA Hard Drive and 40-pin connector for a standard 3.5" IDE/PATA Hard Drive, allowing you to connect a hard drive to any desktop or notebook computer with a USB 2.0 port. This adapter eliminates the need for a separate enclosure for every Hard Drive and is compatible with almost any 2.5" or 3.5" IDE/PATA or SATA Hard Drives. With all these features, this DriveWire adapter is an ideal solution for anyone needing immediate or temporary access to a Hard Drive.

Manufacturer Part# : ADW-USB-KIT

Dell Part# : A1164717

Connects to Any Notebook or Desktop Hard Drive or SSD

The DriveWire Universal Hard Drive Adapter allows you to connect a hard drive to any desktop or notebook computer with a USB 2.0 port. This is the perfect solution for anyone needing immediate or temporary access to a hard drive. 

This unique adapter provides a USB connection to:

• SATA connector for SATA hard drives and SSDs
• 44 pin connector for a 2.5" Notebook IDE/PATA hard drives
• 40 pin connector for a standard 3.5" Desktop IDE/PATA hard drives

No Enclosure - Fits All Hard Drives, Desktop Drives Too!

You won't need to buy a different enclosure for every Hard Drive or worry about whether or not you have enough power through your USB ports run the device. Because DriveWire is guaranteed to safely provide all the power you need and it is compatible with all of today's 2.5, 3.5 IDE/PATA or SATA Hard Drives. When you combine DriveWire with Apricorn's Upgrade Suite you will have the perfect solution to upgrade the hard drive on all of today's most popular desktop and notebook computers.