Replace & reinstall Laptop Harddisk with no optical drive
 

I have a thinkpad x201 and I want to replace its 2.5" HD with SSD.

The laptop doesn't come with any recovery disk, but I do see the option to "create" a factory pre-set recovery disk in window.

The laptop doesn't have an optical drive, but I can hook up an external DVD drive via usb to create the recovery disk.

However, how do I boot of the recovery disk if I have no optical drive? (I don't think you can boot off an optical drive connected via usb....or can you?)

Yes, you can... unless maybe if the machine is from the 90's.

Yes. You can boot off USB optical. Although I went the more efficient route and booted off USB flash drive.

It was fine on my X201 and if I recall there was a way create recovery media onto USB.

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html
might be more for a clean install tho

use the windows 7 to USB tool from MS website... you can put it onto the flash drive and install windows.. Provided you are able to boot from USB..