How can I copy an OS, and have it be bootable?

[Maezr]

Specifically, WinXP.

I've got it on a 2mb cache 5400 drive. I just got a 120 7200 8mb drive. How can I transfer the os over?

 

[bozo1]

Most hard drive manufacturers have a utility to do that for you. Maxtor does assuming at least one of the drives is that brand. That's the easiest and free. You can also use a commercial program like Ghost or Drive Image.

 

[Cha]

I'm in the same situation.
Unfortunately, my WD 120GB drive was OEM & didn't come with the software. I have Partition Magic 8 & I've tried to do that but it says that the drive may not be bootable since the partition starts after the 1024K barrier. I got everything copied over (cloned is a more appropriate term) but have yet to test the HDD out.
This might work for you, Maezr.

 

[bozo1]

Unfortunately, my WD 120GB drive was OEM & didn't come with the software.

So you go to www.westerndigital.com and you download it.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

any os (even windows!) should have a cd or floppy to boot from, with which you can rewrite the bootloader.

 

[crobusa]

I thought XP had a copy protection file that couldn't be backed up/imaged. Maybe that was just propaganda.

 

[Budman]

Norton GHOST.

 

[skyking]

I thought XP had a copy protection file that couldn't be backed up/imaged. Maybe that was just propaganda.

XP images just fine. The copy protection scheme is based on hardware configuration. If there are significant changes in hardware, the most notable being the motherboard itself, it will require reactivation.
If you have a failing drive, do not hesitate to ghost your OS over to a new disk, it will work just fine

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

A: Drive copy from Powerquest.

B: Drive Image from Powerquest.

C: Norton Ghost from Symmantec.

D: Utility from your HDD manufacturer.

There you go...4 different ways to get to the same place.

the most notable being the motherboard itself, it will require reactivation.

Nada...Replacing your network card will trigger the activation before anything else.