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    Cloning hard drive question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by vealti, Nov 16, 2007.

  1. vealti

    vealti Newbie

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    I want to get a m6300 but want to replace the standard 80 Gb drive with a larger one (not from Dell). I called Dell and they said that it does not come with a seperate WinXP install disk, just the recovery disk, and that I can not use the recovery disk to install XP on a new drive. From searching it seems people clone the Dell drive to a new drive to get around this. Is this correct and what exactly do I need to do to do this? Or do I have to buy XP in addition to the laptop?
     
    vealti, Nov 16, 2007
    #1
  2. planet_vikram

    planet_vikram Notebook Evangelist

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    Use 'Acronis True Image'.....has a hard drive cloning utility...worked fine for me !!
     
    planet_vikram, Nov 16, 2007
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  3. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    No. You are better off with a fresh install.

    No need to buy. Just call Dell and ask for OS installation disc. You should get it for free! With disc in hand you can reinstall anytime you want!

    Is this information helpful? Do reply!
     
    sinstoic, Nov 16, 2007
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  4. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    I do not feel it is worth spending $49.99+ for Acronis True Image 11 Home, especially if the OP wants to do this just once. Don't talk about the 137.1MB trial version either. If things go wrong OP will end up with no OS.

    Anyways if the OP is keen on a trial version, here is a direct link: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/link/?TrueImage11_d_en.exe

    Is this information helpful? Do reply!
     
    sinstoic, Nov 16, 2007
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  5. vealti

    vealti Newbie

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    Dell will provide the install disc for free? The guy I talked to today said that the reason it can not be used on a new drive is because the XP license if for a one time install only. He said my only other option would be to buy XP seperately.
     
    vealti, Nov 16, 2007
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  6. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    Call again but this time don't mention about the new hard drive. Tell them XP has corrupted and restore has failed and there is no way you can reinstall XP without the installation discs.
     
    sinstoic, Nov 16, 2007
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  7. vealti

    vealti Newbie

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    I call and try another guy. Since I am ordering a computer I can't go the corrupted drive route, but I'll try press them saying I know they can provide the install disc.
     
    vealti, Nov 16, 2007
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  8. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    Sorry. I forgot you are buying a new notebook.
     
    sinstoic, Nov 16, 2007
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  9. knightingmagic

    knightingmagic Notebook Deity

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    Acronis True Image 7 was released for free. Google for it.
     
    knightingmagic, Nov 16, 2007
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  10. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    The free version has expired!
     
    sinstoic, Nov 16, 2007
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  11. planet_vikram

    planet_vikram Notebook Evangelist

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    Acronis True Image works *PERFECTLY*. I had my hard drive cloned very quickly and I was up and running in a few minutes.....

    My suggestion would be still use it in the trial period !!
     
    planet_vikram, Nov 16, 2007
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  12. knightingmagic

    knightingmagic Notebook Deity

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    Really? I backup my whole computer once a month with version 7. No expiration has happened here.
     
    knightingmagic, Nov 17, 2007
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  13. sinstoic

    sinstoic Notebook Deity

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    I meant not available for download anymore!
     
    sinstoic, Nov 17, 2007
    #13