Can I transfer everything from one HD to another?

frank.lui · 18-08-2006, 08:47

The HD in my laptop is eventually full. I got a larger one and want to put it in. I know I can just reinstall the OS and applications then copy all the usefull information from old one to new. But I wander if there is any way I can 'mirror' everything from old one to new one? That should save a lot of time.

Thanks

Cobbydaler · 18-08-2006, 08:51

Ghost programs..

Link includes alternatives to Norton Ghost, there's also XXCopy which is free...

Graham M · 18-08-2006, 08:51

You could use Norton Ghost, which you could "aqquire" or buy. There's quite an easy way to do it with Linux (well i say easy it means using the Shell)

frank.lui · 18-08-2006, 10:25

Thanks for the quick response. If using Ghost, will it copy the logic drive size as well? My old HD had a two logic drives. But for the new one, I just want to use the whole drive as one logic drive.

basa · 18-08-2006, 10:29

Most HD manufacturers provide a free utility to transfer from one HD to another (I think).

Also you might have to re-activate XP.

Graham M · 18-08-2006, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by basa

Most HD manufacturers provide a free utility to transfer from one HD to another (I think).

Also you might have to re-activate XP.

Activate XP!?!? Never done that before

Cobbydaler · 18-08-2006, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank.lui

Thanks for the quick response. If using Ghost, will it copy the logic drive size as well? My old HD had a two logic drives. But for the new one, I just want to use the whole drive as one logic drive.

It will make an exact image of your existing drive...

You can merge logical drives with Partition Magic...

basa · 18-08-2006, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

It will make an exact image of your existing drive...

You can merge logical drives with Partition Magic...

Always wondered .. if you Ghost a 20G drive onto a 40G drive (I have old HDDs !!) do you effectively lose the remainder (20G) of the 40G ???

Graham M · 18-08-2006, 11:34

It depends, if you do image->partition then it'll recreate the 20gb partition on the new drive, but if you do image->disc, itll use up the whole drive iirc.

AbyssUnderground · 20-08-2006, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by basa

Always wondered .. if you Ghost a 20G drive onto a 40G drive (I have old HDDs !!) do you effectively lose the remainder (20G) of the 40G ???

No. Simple answer

20-08-2006, 01:00

I always partition a drive first then use the dos utility and select partiton from image then the whole drive is used (obviously with an image in created first)

deathtrap3000 · 20-08-2006, 02:28

I found Acronis True Image useful when upgrading an old 2gb hdd to a "brand new" 8gb hdd. it was very easy to use. but i think you need to have both drives plugged in at once so that might be a problem.

Down the Pub · 20-08-2006, 11:03

is it poss to image from an ide drive to a sata drive?

reason i ask is that the copy of xp i have is a vlk which failed validation, so if i have to do a fresh install on the sata drive will the xp activation cause me any probs? as i really don't want to have to go and spend another 80-100 on a new copy of pro.

and i can't really be arsed to reinstall all my games and programes all over again, but if it's gotta be then it's gotta be.

Nicky · 20-08-2006, 11:06

Can't you just install the new drive as a secondary drive?

I did this years ago, when HDDs were measured in MB! Doubled a 20mb by installing another 20mb. Kept all the software on the original drive and started storing files on the second one.

I know someone will now tell me you can't do this with new HDDs.

20-08-2006, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down the Pub

is it poss to image from an ide drive to a sata drive?

reason i ask is that the copy of xp i have is a vlk which failed validation, so if i have to do a fresh install on the sata drive will the xp activation cause me any probs? as i really don't want to have to go and spend another 80-100 on a new copy of pro.

and i can't really be arsed to reinstall all my games and programes all over again, but if it's gotta be then it's gotta be.

you will have to run bootcfg /rebuild if you intend to boot from the sata drive also you will need to know if it needs a driver or not to install windows as this could scupper your plan

Note a lot of games will just work if you save/move the install directory but also search docs for saves if you wish to save these too.Often you will get a direct x error simply install the newest version of dx over the top and this will show correct dates to run the game

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicky

Can't you just install the new drive as a secondary drive?

I did this years ago, when HDDs were measured in MB! Doubled a 20mb by installing another 20mb. Kept all the software on the original drive and started storing files on the second one.

I know someone will now tell me you can't do this with new HDDs.

you can I have 8 hard drives in my machine all running there own set of stuff