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    Drive clone software

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Bearclaw, Oct 28, 2010.

  1. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    Hello, I'd like to know if there's a software I can use to fully clone my OEM Win7 HP installation onto a new HDD, and will there need to be new activations and stuff like that all over again?
     
    Bearclaw, Oct 28, 2010
    #1
  2. Gandalf_The_Grey

    Gandalf_The_Grey Notebook Evangelist

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    You can use windows own backup program to make a clone copy of your HDD.
     
    Gandalf_The_Grey, Oct 28, 2010
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    I've never ever seen this question asked here, I wonder what the forum search engine might say.........
     
    newsposter, Oct 28, 2010
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  4. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    So it looks like Acronis does the job, if I have 2 HDD's in my laptop can I just run the program within WIn7 and do a complete clone that way?
     
    Bearclaw, Oct 28, 2010
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  5. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Yes. 10 char.
     
    deeastman, Oct 28, 2010
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  6. NBR Bug_or_Feature

    NBR Bug_or_Feature Notebook Enthusiast

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    You could check support of your 2 drives' manufacturers. They often offer free cloning & other utilities if you have at least one of their product installed.
     
    NBR Bug_or_Feature, Oct 28, 2010
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  7. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    Yeah I found Acronis True Image WD edition... dunno what the differences are from that and the trial but w/e.
     
    Bearclaw, Oct 29, 2010
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  8. alstrike

    alstrike Notebook Consultant

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    Clonezilla does pretty much the same and more and it´s free.
     
    alstrike, Oct 29, 2010
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  9. maximinimaus

    maximinimaus Notebook Evangelist

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    Drive SnapShot ist also a possibility. Trial for 1 month if I remember correctly.
     
    maximinimaus, Oct 29, 2010
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  10. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    Turns out WD drives get the Acronis for free, so I'll just use that.
     
    Bearclaw, Oct 29, 2010
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  11. NBR Bug_or_Feature

    NBR Bug_or_Feature Notebook Enthusiast

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    No need to say thanks. :)

    The advantage of using windows backup as Gandalf suggested are IMO:
    - No need to install extra software
    - You get a compact backup which is a good thing to have on an external drive

    If you have only 2 drives then cloning makes sense but that means that when you format the old drive, you are back to square one w/o any backup.
     
    NBR Bug_or_Feature, Oct 29, 2010
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  12. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Windows 7 backup program does NOT have a Clone HDD feature as many other backup programs do.

    Windows 7 backup software will allow you to create a System Image to restore to a new HDD. Not the same as cloning but the end result can be the same with a few more steps involved. I believe most people make System Images vs. Cloning as the Image can be saved on an external drive for future use and as an archive.
     
    deeastman, Oct 29, 2010
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  13. NBR Bug_or_Feature

    NBR Bug_or_Feature Notebook Enthusiast

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    There is only 1 more step: boot with the windows repair cd & the external hard drive connected. That's it.

    Windows 7 backup offers you to burn the Windows 7 repair cd which is a good thing to have anyway.
     
    NBR Bug_or_Feature, Oct 29, 2010
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  14. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    If you are using a brand new HD out of the box and you want to Restore a System Image to it you may have to initialize the drive through Disk Management but you will have to perform at least a quick format on the new HD before many restore programs will perform the Imaging. This can be one to two more additional steps (minor and will not discuss anymore, nitpicking). When Cloning a HD many times these steps do not have to be performed since the clone program is making an exact duplicate of the original drive, format and everything.

    The main point I wanted to make is that the Windows 7 backup and restore program cannot clone a drive.
     
    deeastman, Oct 29, 2010
    #14