Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system?

giannib · 01-09-2009, 01:17 AM

The title more or less says it all. I have 2 hard drives. One is empty, the one with the OS and all the data is about to fail (so says a message when I boot up - 'hard drive detects imminent failure - backup and replace'). Is there a way to transfer it ALL from one to the other W/O reinstalling the OS, etc. I have been separated from my computing gear for some time and I don't think I can find my Windows XP disks or any other disks of any import.

The HD sounds like there is a screw tumbling around in there at times; other times it revs up like it is about to take off.

HELP

**raptor_pa** · 01-09-2009, 08:24 AM

Sounds like the disk is definitely on the way out. The only way to get the OS and all data moved intact to another HD is using a software that will allow you to clone. Symantec (Norton) Ghost, tho not my favorite for cloning for recovery will do the job in this case. Do not operate this drive until you are ready to perform the clone, it sounds like it is ready to go south at any point, and if it fails before you have a working clone, then it will most likely need to be sent to a data recovery pro with a clean room. Your description sounds like head problems, not something you can fix at home, and not something that is fixed cheaply ( cheap being <$800 - and more likely $1000 - $2000) So get the clone done ASAP!

giannib · 01-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Thanks for the very useful help.

GianniB

giannib · 01-13-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks, again -

I was able to clone the drive to as second drive on my system literally a couple of hours before the old c: drive failed. WHEW! I used a FREE cloning program that I downloaded from the net called DRIVE IMAGE XML. It did a fantastic job.

I thought that I would have to RESTORE from the [other] drive before I could actually USE it . . . but, I was able to take out the BAD drive and substitute the backup drive (once I figured out the correct jumper settings on the backup HD] and it hit the ground running with no further ado.

Thanks, again for your help.

Giannib

**raptor_pa** · 01-13-2009, 12:10 PM

Kewl, glad you got it under control, Drive Image is a great program.

01-09-2009, 01:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
giannib Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system? The title more or less says it all. I have 2 hard drives. One is empty, the one with the OS and all the data is about to fail (so says a message when I boot up - 'hard drive detects imminent failure - backup and replace'). Is there a way to transfer it ALL from one to the other W/O reinstalling the OS, etc. I have been separated from my computing gear for some time and I don't think I can find my Windows XP disks or any other disks of any import. The HD sounds like there is a screw tumbling around in there at times; other times it revs up like it is about to take off. HELP

01-09-2009, 08:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,857 OS: XP	Re: Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system? Sounds like the disk is definitely on the way out. The only way to get the OS and all data moved intact to another HD is using a software that will allow you to clone. Symantec (Norton) Ghost, tho not my favorite for cloning for recovery will do the job in this case. Do not operate this drive until you are ready to perform the clone, it sounds like it is ready to go south at any point, and if it fails before you have a working clone, then it will most likely need to be sent to a data recovery pro with a clean room. Your description sounds like head problems, not something you can fix at home, and not something that is fixed cheaply ( cheap being <$800 - and more likely $1000 - $2000) So get the clone done ASAP! __________________

01-10-2009, 01:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
giannib Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system? Thanks for the very useful help. GianniB

01-13-2009, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
giannib Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system? Thanks, again - I was able to clone the drive to as second drive on my system literally a couple of hours before the old c: drive failed. WHEW! I used a FREE cloning program that I downloaded from the net called DRIVE IMAGE XML. It did a fantastic job. I thought that I would have to RESTORE from the [other] drive before I could actually USE it . . . but, I was able to take out the BAD drive and substitute the backup drive (once I figured out the correct jumper settings on the backup HD] and it hit the ground running with no further ado. Thanks, again for your help. Giannib

01-13-2009, 12:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,857 OS: XP	Re: Possible to move all data (incl OS) to 2nd HD on same system? Kewl, glad you got it under control, Drive Image is a great program. __________________