How to clone a hard drive

scootertuner · 10-04-2012, 12:06

i have just bought a new hard drive for my pc. i need some advise how to clone the data from that to my new one.
thanks

Tony Erikson · 10-04-2012, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootertuner

i have just bought a new hard drive for my pc. i need some advise how to clone the data from that to my new one.
thanks

Complete clone or back up of your documents?

For a complete clone and for free look at cloning with the linux dd comand.

http://nicolasbouliane.com/blog/clon...-by-step-guide

scootertuner · 10-04-2012, 12:28

Complete clone im using windows 7

Tony Erikson · 10-04-2012, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootertuner

Complete clone im using windows 7

The way I have listed doesn't involve you using Windows. You have to download an Ubuntu live CD. It's very easy if you follow the guide. I can't help you with Windows software. I believe norton ghost will do it. I like the live disc way as the drives aren't mounted at all and I can still use an OS whilst the task is being performed.

ShefStealth · 10-04-2012, 13:16

I wouldn't bother "investing" anything in Norton (neither money or time) as a solution, as their software is generally bloated and quite often doesn't do what you want anyway. I'd go for something like Clonezilla or PING (Partimage is not Ghost) You boot into a Linux environment, select source and destination drives and it'll copy the data over. You may need to do a little research into *nix drive convention (sda1=Sata Disk A partition 1 etc.) but it's fairly straightfoward. You can only go from a drive smaller or of equal size, to a larger drive. After rebooting you'll probably just see the same size drive as that you've cloned from - allow windows to rebuild it's partition tables (expand the partition to encompass the new "free" unused space) and you should be all good.

121ITService · 10-04-2012, 13:23

Drive snapshot is a very good program and it's free.

swarfendor43 · 10-04-2012, 16:09

clonezilla is also free.

walkertelecoms · 10-04-2012, 17:58

Make sure you don't clone the wrong way round, don't want your data replaced with fresh air

I used Ghost yonks ago, upto the end of windows 2000/XP so not too sure how it's developed with windows7.

scootertuner · 11-04-2012, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkertelecoms

Make sure you don't clone the wrong way round, don't want your data replaced with fresh air

I used Ghost yonks ago, upto the end of windows 2000/XP so not too sure how it's developed with windows7.

ok thanks for you help

kenthack · 11-04-2012, 21:19

some hdd manufacturers have there own free software
you just need to have 1 of their drives

swarfendor43 · 11-04-2012, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkertelecoms

Make sure you don't clone the wrong way round, don't want your data replaced with fresh air

I used Ghost yonks ago, upto the end of windows 2000/XP so not too sure how it's developed with windows7.

Quite a number of years ago now, engineer came out to try and recover failing drive using Ghost - didn't work - fortunately used Acronis to image it on another partition - back up and running in 20 minutes!

scootertuner · 08-05-2012, 20:32

right i manage to clone my hard drive. it booted up fine. then i got a blue screen saying this windows version is not genuine. so im not shore wot to do next as my windows is genuine.
thanks

choogling · 08-05-2012, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenthack

some hdd manufacturers have there own free software
you just need to have 1 of their drives

Maxtor software is great makes the job easy.

Alky · 08-05-2012, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootertuner

right i manage to clone my hard drive. it booted up fine. then i got a blue screen saying this windows version is not genuine. so im not shore wot to do next as my windows is genuine.
thanks

Think this is something to do with Windows "Tatooing" the hard drive. Changing the HDD is classed as changing your computer (I think) and thus Windows sees the change as pirating the copy - I think you have to ring Windows to try and get them to authorise the change.

I will be very gratefull to know the outcome as I am getting ready to do the same....

scootertuner · 08-05-2012, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by choogling

Maxtor software is great makes the job easy.

sorted it after trying about 5 diffrent software that didnet work. i found this worked 100% for me. thank god its now sorted lol http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...19&wdc_lang=en

pengtaoman · 10-05-2012, 02:01

ghost will work fine for that purpose.

swarfendor43 · 10-05-2012, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by pengtaoman

ghost will work fine for that purpose.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/show...9&postcount=11

Alky · 11-05-2012, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarfendor43

clonezilla is also free.

Hi m8 - wil clonezilla really copy the whole disk in cluding the OS and allow it to run? I have Win7 (Legit) and dont want to run the risk of falling foul of Microsoft's tatooing of drives. Does clonezilla do this as well?

Thanks.

scootertuner · 11-05-2012, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alky

Hi m8 - wil clonezilla really copy the whole disk in cluding the OS and allow it to run? I have Win7 (Legit) and dont want to run the risk of falling foul of Microsoft's tatooing of drives. Does clonezilla do this as well?

Thanks.

no it dident work for me pal. this is the best one for me http://support.wdc.com/product/downl...l.asp?swid=119

Alky · 19-01-2013, 08:06

Sorry to resurect an old thread but had some problems and just gor round to completeing this.

I have a new drive, I have cloned my "C" and "E" drive (single drive but partitioned) onto the new drive which is showing in my computer as "G" and "H" respectively.

What is the next step - do I removed the C&E drive and install the G&H drive in its slot - if so what issues are ther with the drive identification letters?

Do I somehow change the drive letters before swapping?

I have burnt a Win Repair disk to allow boot just in case - do I a) remove C&E and replace with G&H then boot using repair disk and change letters (somehow) ?

Thanks in advance from a nervous and confused numbty.