I'm looking to install a new hard drive in my Lenovo G550?

I'm looking to install a new hard drive in my Lenovo G550?

Added (1). I already tried removing battery, disconnecting peripherals, and installing HD. I went to boot up, went to "Lenovo page" but didn't load OS… It just went to black screen with cursor prompt, which didn't allow me to do anything. New HD is Hitachi Z5K500-500 with Windows 8.1… Only difference is I'm upgrading from 250 to 500 GB. Any ideas?

Added (2). I also wanna upgrade my RAM… I have 4 GB Ram installed…2-2 GB chips… I wanna upgrade one chip to 4 GB… Any ideas on that?

Andrew

If old hard drive is functional, you have to clone the data of the old hdd on to the new one.
To copy is just to select files and copy. Cloning involves a full data including hidden and restricted files as a duplication.

You generally need a 2.5" SATA-USB enclosure, though it can be done with the right cable I think.
Like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/...0003-000H3
Cloning:
http://www.pcmag.com/...302,00.asp
Not sure what you mean by the Hitachi Drive with WIndows 8.1
The HDD needs the drivers and Windows to book up along with the product key, unless cloning the old drive onto a new one.
For ram, if you have 2x2gb and want to have 6gb as a two and a four you should try to match the 2gb
It should be SoDimm DDR3 1.35V non-ECC, but timing can be CL 9, 10, or 11
If you can state the PN on the ram, or install Speccy and Belarc Advisor they should read the ram exactly.
https://www.piriform.com/...com/speccy
http://www.belarc.com/...nload.html

Andy L