Can I......

[JE78]

I'm pretty sure my primary hdd is on its last leg. Tigerdriect has a Seagate 250gb for $70 after reabates so I think i'm going to grab that.

My question is is it possible for me to copy my entire current C: drive to the new one I get and then remove the my old primary drive and replace it with the new one? If so what software should I use? I think I heard something about Norton Ghost? Thanks.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: JE78
I'm pretty sure my primary hdd is on its last leg. Tigerdriect has a Seagate 250gb for $70 after reabates so I think i'm going to grab that.

My question is is it possible for me to copy my entire current C: drive to the new one I get and then remove the my old primary drive and replace it with the new one?

Yes, of course. The OS doesn't care if the physical drive is changed out, as long as its data stays the same.

If so what software should I use? I think I heard something about Norton Ghost?

That's the usual recommendation. The other popular one is Acronis TrueImage. If you know Linux and you want to save a few bucks, you can use 'dd' to do disk-to-disk copies off a live CD. Ghost and TrueImage are friendlier, and will let you do things like backing your drive up to multiple CDs/DVDs and then imaging it onto a new system, etc.

 

[JE78]

Cool, thanks!

 

[pkme2]

My students and I use Norton Systemworks Premier which has Ghost as one of its components, I find it safe to clone the main drive especially on Dell laptops. I stick a spare hdd with caddy in the media bay and ghost it.
The cloning is now done on all our computers to prevent data loss in case of hdd crashes.
The hdd's are very inexpensive as compared to having to spend a lot of time and maybe money to replace your stuff.
Our desktops have add-on slaves that are clones in reality. You can remove it or leave it. Its up to you as to which procedure works for you. I hope this technique will help you.

 

[RichUK]

Ghost sucks!!!

ive used this before in a previous job and i found that it kept crapping out during the ghost, and some of the smaller images used for client distribution were incomplete.

i would say use Acronis Ture image, this software is brilliant :thumbsup:

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Ghost sucks!!!

ive used this before in a previous job and i found that it kept crapping out during the ghost, and some of the smaller images used for client distribution were incomplete.

i would say use Acronis Ture image, this software is brilliant :thumbsup:

While I am not a Ghost fanboy by any stretch (I actully dislike it alot) it was probably the implemntation of that ghost setup that caused you problems.

To much for small scale stuff, but I love the Altiris imaging stuff, that is what we use at work.

 

[pkme2]

Ghost comes packaged with Norton ANtivirus and Utilities. My students and I get the package for $39. If there is a better deal out there, we would like to hear one, but since it works, I personally will continue use it. We respect your choices, do the same for us.

 

[JE78]

Thanks guys. One more question. Should I got with Serial ATA or Ultra ATA? I have a SATA connection on my power supply but is it worth the extra $30? I can get a 250gb Ultra-ATA Seagate from Tigerdirect for $70 after MIR or I can go with the the 250gb SATA Seagate from newegg for a little over $100.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: pkme2
Ghost comes packaged with Norton ANtivirus and Utilities. My students and I get the package for $39. If there is a better deal out there, we would like to hear one, but since it works, I personally will continue use it. We respect your choices, do the same for us.

Altiris is a network based utility, so you could setup a file server and ditch the second drive. If you have the same hardware (like in a test lab) you can multicast the image to multiple machines at a decent rate. As an example, I have 300 old Dell Optilplex machines (P3 500, 256 MB, 5400 RPM drives) and I can reimage all 300 from one spot (the console server) and it will finish in ~2-6 hours, depending on image size. Time may be less for ghost, unless you only count adminstrator time, because I am doing more productive things after the initial 10 minutes to start the job

 

[pkme2]

DEpending on what your needs are. What you're working on, what programs you're running? If its gaming, go sata.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: pkme2
DEpending on what your needs are. What you're working on, what programs you're running? If its gaming, go sata.

lol .. and please explain the benefits of SATA over IDE, other than cable form factor.

 

[pkme2]

No particular benefits. Since some people like Seagate, its his preference. My personal likes are Maxtor & WD 250GB SATA HDDs, on eBay for $80. The cable form factor makes it cleaner installation since I use 3 in my machine.

 

[JE78]

I do a little of everything. I do use my system for gaming but i'm not hard core gammer and need ever millisecond of speed I can get. I'm going with Seagate because both my WD 200gb that I have are getting louder and louder by the day and i've heard good things about Seagate.

 

[Mavrick007]

Either one will be good for your needs. If it's a money issue, go with the IDE drive. If you like the smaller cables go with the SATA. The newer SATA drives are getting good performance but there's not much difference between an IDE drive and SATA in performance unless you're looking at high speed SATA drives.

 

[JE78]

Well for $30 less I might as well go with the IDE. Thanks.

 

[tiap]

Go with Seagate, they seem to be one of the most reliable with the best waranty.
Don't use Acronis TIv9. It is very buggy and could leave you high and dry. An older version is reliable if you can find one.
I don't like ghost as a lot of other people don't.

Download Seatools from Seagate if you get their drive. It is free and has options of replacing a hdrive or adding a hdrive, which essentially clones your disk for free.

Other manufacturers have similar software.
Stay away from Maxtor.