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    Drive Migration via Live CD?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by CalebSchmerge, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Is there a way I can use a linux live CD to migrate an image of a disk from one disk to another (both disks in the same computer)? I just reinstalled windows for my Dad, but to be safe I used a separate drive (so if he didn't like it he can go back). When I need to move the new install to the proper (better, faster, larger) disk, can I use a live CD to move that data, including things like the boot sector. Thanks.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jul 8, 2008
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  2. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    An easier way is to use a trial of Acronis (or version 8, which apparently is for free but isn't compatible with Vista) to clone one drive onto another using the bootable rescue media.
     
    Bog, Jul 9, 2008
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  3. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    Thanks for the tip, I will look into that. Any other suggestions?
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jul 9, 2008
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  4. dombre

    dombre Notebook Enthusiast

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    If your new drive is bigger than your old you can use "dd". It should be on every Live-CD.

    Just run
    Code: 
    dd bs=8k if=/dev/hda of=/dev/hdb
    hda is your old drive and hdb is your new drive. You probably don't need bs=8k if you won't copy to an USB drive.

    It just copies every byte to the new the disk. So, to be safe your new disk should be a little bigger.

    Before running dd, please read the manual for dd and double check that you aren't overwriting your old drive!

    Edit: While re-reading your post, the terms "new disk" and "old disk" might be misunderstood: I am copying from the "old disk" to the "new disk" :)
     
    dombre, Jul 10, 2008
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