Copying WinXP to different HDD, use fixmbr?

[Tsukai]

So
I have my OS installed on one HDD, and want to move it to a new, bigger HDD. I'm trying to avoid imaging the whole drive, I just want to move the OS. I'm aware there are hidden system files and the pagefile I will have to move along with the system folders (windows, program files, doc and settings, and sys vol info). I'm planning to do all that using a boot disc like the UltimateBootCD for Windows.

So,
Once I copy those files over to the new HDD, all I need to do is run 'fixmbr' on the chosen drive, right? (Then re-arrange the boot order of my HDD in the bios)

 

[Blazer]

the lattest ubd has acronis, use it, remove the orig disk before next boot and should be ok.

 

[Tsukai]

So Acronis True Image? That allows me to make a partial image including making the new drive bootable?

Even if I do use that, I'd like a answer to my specific question. Anyone?

 

[boomerang]

I don't know of any way to do what it is you're trying to accomplish. Acronis will not move just the OS.

 

[Blazer]

will you have to run 'fixmbr' ?, no you should not have to.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

fyi, this is not a good idea at all.

 

[LS]

I've done this several times, no need to run fixmbr, but you need to do a registry change
to point Windows to the new drive. If you just copy everything over without the registry
change, you won't be able to log on to Windows.


Install the new drive and use diskmgmt.msc to create a primary partition and assign it drive letter X.
Now right click on partition X and select 'Mark Partition as Active'.

Launch regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices
right click on \DosDevices\C: and rename it to \DosDevices\Y: (drive C becomes Y)
right click on \DosDevices\X: and rename it to \DosDevices\C: (drive X becomes C)

Shutdown and use the UltimateBootCD to copy NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM, BOOT.INI,
Documents and Settings, Program Files, and WINDOWS over to the new drive.

Change the boot order of the HDD in the bios.

Done.

 

[Tsukai]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
fyi, this is not a good idea at all.

Probably, but useful to know how do to, imo.


LS, thank you!
I'll give it a shot soon.
What should i do if i hit a bump and need to go back to the original HDD? Besides changing the bios boot order back, do i need to reverse the registry edits? how do i do that outside that OS?

EDIT:
found this, not the same issue, but similar method? :
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

 

[LS]

Originally posted by: Tsukai

Besides changing the bios boot order back, do i need to reverse the registry edits? how do i do that outside that OS?

Yes the registry edits would need to be reversed. If you haven't made the reg edits yet, boot the UBCD and make a copy of the C:\WINDOWS\system32\config folder somewhere. If you run into problems, you can just use the UBCD to restore the config folder (which contains the registry).

Originally posted by: Tsukai

found this, not the same issue, but similar method? :
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

If you need to reverse the reg edits outside of Windows then that link is very similar, the only differences would be:

Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive
File > Load Hive

Browse to C:\WINDOWS\system32\config
Select file SYSTEM

Name this hive (the example they gave "MyXPHive" is fine)

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\MyXPHive\MountedDevices
and undo the edits - change C back to X, change Y back to C

Select MyXPHive branch
File > Unload Hive

 

[Tsukai]

Awesome, thanks a ton!

 

[hanspeter]

Another trick in the bag: if you at some point needs the drive mappings in registry to be invalidated, you can run "fdisk /mbr". The active partition on the primary harddisk will then be given the letter C.