How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS]

chas.river · 04-21-2008, 04:53 PM

The HD in my 8400 is making some strange noises so I think I need to replace it soon.

However, as a software junkie, I have many many applications installed and I would not like to face the proposition of reinstalling them!

Is there a way to perhaps copy an exact image of my existing drive to a new one, and then replace the old one with the new one?

Thanks.

Tumbleweed36 · 04-21-2008, 04:59 PM

IMHO, the best way to do this is get the new drive, hook it up as a slave in the computer and then XXClone the old drive to the new slave... Be sure to enable the options so it will be a boot drive. Then, when you move the old one out, the new one acts exactly the same as the old drive. Or, you can use the old one until it dies and then hook up the new one to boot from.

XXClone

**nickster_uk** · 04-21-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi chas.river, welcome to Tech Support Forum...

You will need to use Disk Imaging software such as Acronis True Image (there are many other programs which can do this too...some freeware so probably an idea to Google for more results) to perform this task but it's not uncommon to run into Windows activation issues when changing your system drive but that shouldn't be an issue.

chas.river · 04-21-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickster_uk

Hi chas.river, welcome to Tech Support Forum...

You will need to use Disk Imaging software such as Acronis True Image (there are many other programs which can do this too...some freeware so probably an idea to Google for more results) to perform this task but it's not uncommon to run into Windows activation issues when changing your system drive but that shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for the welcome and the quick answers.

Can you say more about the activation issues and how I can deal with them?

Must the new drive be exactly the same size as the old one?

Will True Image copy the Dell special partition(s)?

chas.river · 04-21-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

IMHO, the best way to do this is get the new drive, hook it up as a slave in the computer and then XXClone the old drive to the new slave... Be sure to enable the options so it will be a boot drive. Then, when you move the old one out, the new one acts exactly the same as the old drive. Or, you can use the old one until it dies and then hook up the new one to boot from.

XXClone

Thanks. Will XXClone copy the special Dell partition(s)? Will there be any validation issues with Microsoft?

chas.river · 04-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Also, can I connect the new drive via my USB port or must it be connected directly to the HD controller?

Basementgeek · 04-21-2008, 05:10 PM

I just used Acronis True Image about one month ago and everything and I do mean every was copied.

However it is a $60.00 USD program, but worth it.

BG

**nickster_uk** · 04-21-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas.river

Thanks for the welcome and the quick answers.

Can you say more about the activation issues and how I can deal with them?

Must the new drive be exactly the same size as the old one?

Will True Image copy the Dell special partition(s)?

The new hard drive can be any make/model you like and you may get away without the need to reactivate. It works on a point system so if you change a certain amount of hardware on the same system, then Windows requires you to reactivate in order to verify your license is still installed on the system it was bought for. It's generally a painless operation, you just need to re-enter your product key and in some rare cases, you may be required to contact Microsoft for a fresh one but that's pretty straightforward too.

I'm not 100% sure if True Image will copy the special partition...you may have to do it whilst in offline mode using the boot disc.

**nickster_uk** · 04-21-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basementgeek

I just used Acronis True Image about one month ago and everything and I do mean every was copied.

However it is a $60.00 USD program, but worth it.

BG

The program has saved a few potential headaches for me...I always recommend it. Although the latest version does have some issues with backing up and restoring some systems (mine included) but Acronis were pretty helpful throughout.

**nickster_uk** · 04-21-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas.river

Also, can I connect the new drive via my USB port or must it be connected directly to the HD controller?

Shouldn't be a problem as long as your BIOS supports booting from USB devices.

chas.river · 04-22-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickster_uk

Shouldn't be a problem as long as your BIOS supports booting from USB devices.

Thanks. I wasn't going to boot from the USB. I just don't want to keep opening and closing the computer case and switching jumpers on the HD.

redoak · 04-23-2008, 05:51 AM

I believe you can find "TI" at about one half the $60 quoted. "Search" for it.

{redoak}

**mattlock** · 04-23-2008, 07:41 AM

Both TI and XXClone will "clone" your drive verbatim, including the hidden Dell partition.

As for having to reactivate, most OEM manufacturers tie the Windows activation to the motherboard BIOS not the hardware ID, so that shouldn't be an issue either. If it's actually tied to the hardware ID then, as long as you haven't made many hardware changes to the system then a new drive will not trigger reactivation.

chas.river · 04-23-2008, 11:01 AM

One last question. Do I have to format the new HD before I run XXclone? Should I write the system to it?

Thanks.

**mattlock** · 04-23-2008, 10:09 PM

Chas, I must apologize. My understanding of XXClone capabilities were misguided. It will only clone one partition (or volume) at a time. It does not have the ability to clone an entire hard drive.

Acronis True Image will clone an entire hard drive, but unfortunately it's not free software.

That said, there is a tool based on Acronis TI that is free. It's Seagate DiscWizard. I don't know if it'll work on drives from other manufacturers, such Western Digital, but it's worth a try. If it only works works with Seagate drives it'll simply tell you that "No Seagate drive is detected" and won't allow you to go any further.

It will allow you to do a complete clone of the exixting hard drive. The instructions can be found in chapter 10 of the manual.
http://www.seagate.com/support/discwizard/dw_ug.en.pdf

Let us know how you make out, and once again I apologize for the misunderstanding on my part.

Edit: If you're new drive is not a Seagate and DiscWizard doesn't work with it, then you can try the 15 day trial version of Acronis. It might allow you to use the Clone feature during the trial.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...oad/trueimage/

chas.river · 04-26-2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the clarification. I ordered a WD drive so perhaps it will come with cloning s/w (although since it's an OEM drive, I doubt it).

I'll look in to the trial of TI.

driss · 04-26-2008, 01:53 PM

hi.
maybe u have already solved your "problem", if not there is a free program to clone your old drive, I have used it many times ans it is perfect. Go to SEAGATE home page and download "disk wizard". connect your new drive as slave and start the cloning.

04-21-2008, 04:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
chas.river Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp pro sp2	How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS] The HD in my 8400 is making some strange noises so I think I need to replace it soon. However, as a software junkie, I have many many applications installed and I would not like to face the proposition of reinstalling them! Is there a way to perhaps copy an exact image of my existing drive to a new one, and then replace the old one with the new one? Thanks.

04-21-2008, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,820 OS: XP Professional	Re: How to Replace C:? IMHO, the best way to do this is get the new drive, hook it up as a slave in the computer and then XXClone the old drive to the new slave... Be sure to enable the options so it will be a boot drive. Then, when you move the old one out, the new one acts exactly the same as the old drive. Or, you can use the old one until it dies and then hook up the new one to boot from. XXClone __________________ ----------

04-21-2008, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
nickster_uk Moderator, Microsoft Support, Happy to support TSF! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6,296 OS: XP Pro SP3, Vista Ultimate SP1, Ubuntu v8.04 My System	Re: How to Replace C:? Hi chas.river, welcome to Tech Support Forum... You will need to use Disk Imaging software such as Acronis True Image (there are many other programs which can do this too...some freeware so probably an idea to Google for more results) to perform this task but it's not uncommon to run into Windows activation issues when changing your system drive but that shouldn't be an issue. __________________ My system: ASUS P5W DH Deluxe \| Intel(R) 975X Chipset \| Intel(R) Core 2 Duo 'Conroe' E6600 2.4GHz (Overclocked to 3.60GHz) \| 2GB Corsair DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 TwinX RAM (4-4-4-12) \| Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 512MB GDDR3 Graphics \| 4xMaxtor Diamondmax 250GB SATA HDD \| NEC AD-7170A 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter \| Zalman CNPS9500 Processor Fan + 3 LED Case Fans \| Enermax Black Knight (CS-527) Case In a world without walls or fences - who needs Windows and Gates?

04-21-2008, 05:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
chas.river Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: How to Replace C:? Also, can I connect the new drive via my USB port or must it be connected directly to the HD controller?

04-21-2008, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Basementgeek Visitor, Security Team Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 264 OS: XP/Vista Blog Entries: 1	Re: How to Replace C:? I just used Acronis True Image about one month ago and everything and I do mean every was copied. However it is a $60.00 USD program, but worth it. BG __________________

04-23-2008, 05:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
redoak Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 87 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: How to Replace C:? I believe you can find "TI" at about one half the $60 quoted. "Search" for it. {redoak}

04-23-2008, 07:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
mattlock moderator hardware team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,755 OS: XP SP2, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon My System	Re: How to Replace C:? Both TI and XXClone will "clone" your drive verbatim, including the hidden Dell partition. As for having to reactivate, most OEM manufacturers tie the Windows activation to the motherboard BIOS not the hardware ID, so that shouldn't be an issue either. If it's actually tied to the hardware ID then, as long as you haven't made many hardware changes to the system then a new drive will not trigger reactivation. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

04-23-2008, 11:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
chas.river Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS] One last question. Do I have to format the new HD before I run XXclone? Should I write the system to it? Thanks.

04-23-2008, 10:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
mattlock moderator hardware team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,755 OS: XP SP2, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon My System	Re: How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS] Chas, I must apologize. My understanding of XXClone capabilities were misguided. It will only clone one partition (or volume) at a time. It does not have the ability to clone an entire hard drive. Acronis True Image will clone an entire hard drive, but unfortunately it's not free software. That said, there is a tool based on Acronis TI that is free. It's Seagate DiscWizard. I don't know if it'll work on drives from other manufacturers, such Western Digital, but it's worth a try. If it only works works with Seagate drives it'll simply tell you that "No Seagate drive is detected" and won't allow you to go any further. It will allow you to do a complete clone of the exixting hard drive. The instructions can be found in chapter 10 of the manual. http://www.seagate.com/support/discwizard/dw_ug.en.pdf Let us know how you make out, and once again I apologize for the misunderstanding on my part. Edit: If you're new drive is not a Seagate and DiscWizard doesn't work with it, then you can try the 15 day trial version of Acronis. It might allow you to use the Clone feature during the trial. http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...oad/trueimage/ __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free! Last edited by mattlock : 04-23-2008 at 10:25 PM.

04-26-2008, 10:59 AM	#16 (permalink)
chas.river Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS] Thanks for the clarification. I ordered a WD drive so perhaps it will come with cloning s/w (although since it's an OEM drive, I doubt it). I'll look in to the trial of TI.

04-26-2008, 01:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
driss Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: How to Replace C:?[MOVED FROM WINDOWS] hi. maybe u have already solved your "problem", if not there is a free program to clone your old drive, I have used it many times ans it is perfect. Go to SEAGATE home page and download "disk wizard". connect your new drive as slave and start the cloning.