Cloning HD

[imported_Husky55]

My WinXP system is running fine. However the Seagate HD is old and slow. I would like to replace it with either a WD or Samsung HD with faster speed.

If I use Acronis to clone my original HD with everything exactly the same ( no change in hardware) will Windows need to be reactivated ?

How is MS react to changing HD? Is it allowed?

I have not done this before and just wonder if it can be done without reactivate Windows. My windows version is a legit copy.

Thanks,

 

[corkyg]

I clone my HDD's every week (rotate them) on both XP and Vista systems using Acronis True Image 11. (10 will work in XP but require a repair in Vista.)

My advice is to let TI create the bootable "Rescue Media" (CDR) and boot to that drive with both your source and target drives connected. Then use the CLONE function in the menu and follow the instructions

Afterwards, you can disconnect the old drive and boot to the new drive. Windows will not require reactivation - but it will probably require a reboot as it finds new hardware. (The new drive.)

 

[imported_Husky55]

@corkyg,

Your advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

My original Seagate has 2 partitions, will TI be able to clone both C and D partitions ?

I have Acronis TI 11 but have not used it yet.

 

[corkyg]

Acronis TI 11 will clone the drive exactly - partitions are no problem. Once the target drive has been cloned, and you want to do it again later, then one of the key steps in the process is to have it destroy partitions on the target drive so it can rebuild them during the clone process.

Bookmark this site - it is the Acronis forum, and it is excellent. Lots of good tips there, and it is monitored by Acronis techs.

Acronis

 

[imported_Husky55]

Thank you again. Bookmarked.