transferring windows to new hard drive...

Hello Everyone. I just had a quick question...

Is there a way that I can transfer Windows XP to a new internal hard drive from my old one without using any disks? My notebook didn't come with a windows restore disk so I'm kinda stuck

 

Yeah u use norton ghost, or acronis true image (or any disk cloning utility) and u make a image of ur hard drive. Burn that on a cd/dvd and then pop in ur new hd and load up the image and ull have the same exact setup as before.

 

What kind of disk can hold all of that?

 

A dvd holds 4.7 GBs. Plus the image does not take up the same space as the actual hard drive its cloning, its compressed.

 

Awesome

 

If I am not mistaken these imaging software that adinu mentioned allow you to have the image on multiple disks, so if 4.7GB isn't enough you can have multiple DVDs.

 

Yes usually such task requires more than 1 dvd.

 

Alternatively, if your notebook will support external hard drives you can just do a straight clone from one drive to another (bypassing the whole DVD step completely) or (as another alternative) if you have multiple paritions, you can image one partition to the other on the first drive, copy those files onto a partition on the second drive, and then uncompress into the first partition on the new drive.

*phew*

Yeah, um lots of options... I use Ghost, works nicely.

 

Yea, agree. Spend 15$ or so for a case to put your old drive to use and to aid in straight clone. I been using these for the last couple of years; http://www.meritline.com/usb-hard-disk-enclosure-black-25.html

 

Wait...so I can buy a new internal, put it in the enclosure clone everything to it...then take it out and put it in my laptop and it will work?

 

Yes it would. Watch out for Acronis though. I hear so many bad things about them especially with corrupt images.

 

Absolutely, just need to use a program that can actually clone your drive (not just copy everything from one drive to the other). I can't comment on Acronis since I've not used it, however Norton Ghost (2003 preferably) works quite well, not sure about the newest incarnations.

 

Is there any free software that will do it?

 

If you use Acronis True Image, be sure you understand the difference between an Image and a Clone. With ATI I prefer to do any Imaging or Cloning using their "Bootable Rescue CD" which you make after installing the program. That way, Windows is not running at the same time you are performing the procedure.

Also using dvd media to store the image is going to be really slow compared to an external usb drive if you have usb 2.

 

Here you go. A guide from Cnet I viewed a while ago. Exactly what you are doing.A 4:00 minute video included. http://help.cnet.com/Desktops/9602-12576_39-0.html?tag=tip-2504803&nodeId=3118&messageID=2504803&kw=Desktops

What Cnet used. Has cloning software included with the enclosure and USB 2.0 cable. http://reviews.cnet.com/EZ_Upgrade_Universal_Notebook_Hard_Drive_Upgrade_Kit_with_Hi_Speed_USB_2_0_enclosure_and_cloning_software/4505-3014_7-30536726.html?tag=txt