How to best copy a HD from computer to computer

[GaryJr]

I currently have 2 computers networked. 1 (wife's) with a 4 gig HD, the other (mine) with a 14 gig HD. I am buying a 30 gig drive to upgrade my wifes, but, it doesn't have any free space. Both computers are networked together, and I have plenty of space on my HD, and even space on my comp to move her 4 gig HD if needed.

The problem is, she doesn't want to lose all or any of her stuff, so I can't setup the 30gig on her computer. So, I need some way to basically set up the 30 gig HD with the exact same stuff that's on her 4 gig HD.

I really don't know what to do, but I had come up with some ideas and would like your input on what would be the best/easiest thing to do, and even if any of these ideas would work or if there is a better idea.

1) I could install the 30 gig on my computer then just copy the 4 gig straight onto the 30, then go install the 30 onto her computer. If so, how exactly would I copy it? Just drag it over, or use some copy program.

2) I could copy the 4 gig over to my HD, then install the 30 on her computer, then move the info off of my drive onto the new one. But, I don't really know if this would work, since I would probably have to install Windows on the new HD, then, would a straight copy work or mess things up

I really don't know exactly what to do about this, and if you guys have any helpful info or links, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[mcbiff]

Just get a copy of Norton Ghost, it is exactly what you need.

It allows you to clone a drive effortlessly, without losing anything.

 

[DaddyG]

If you buy the HDD retail, most of them have software to copy the old drive to the new. Take a look at Norton Ghost, its perfect for what you want. Maybe there's a trial version.

 

[GaryJr]

Thanks for the info. I bought it OEM, so it's just the drive. I will check out Norton Ghost.

Thank you very much.
Gary

 

[cheetoden]

You can go to the Maxtor or Western Digital site and download their utility disk that will do it for free.

 

[dcdomain]

Here I go recommending MaxBlast again. Go check out Maxtor's site. They have this free software that comes with every Maxtor drive that lets you do a variety of things including creating an image of the older drive. I've used it countless times on other harddrives.

 

[Bluga]

Does MaxBlast support Windows2000?

It doesn't work on my machine.

 

[Dan]

GaryJr: I sympathize with you. You're obviously a prudent man because there are very few things worse than having to explain to the wife how you lost some of her data while doing an upgrade on her system. (Been there, done that. )

Trust me: Norton Ghost was made for scenarios like yours.

 

[Paul]

I use Partition Magic. It works well!

 

[bonkers325]

no doubt ghost

 

[mariner]

PowerQuest Drive Copy

 

[ArkAoss]

i can suggest ghost too, i can even back up to cd's with out any probblems, its under a gb in its entirety, why worry about coppying to the network, i suggest if you know fdisk, put in the new hd into hers. and fdisk it into one partition bigger than her present drive, and devide the rest up into 4 parts, then using ghost, just send it over, if you'd like pm me, I'll send you a zip with more detailed instructions, and what to put on the floppy disk to make it work best. . .

 

[mwars]

There is a demo of "ghost" on www.tweakfiles.com . It will do you just fine. Good Luck...dont want the "missus" mad at ya.lol

 

[doubledc]

the western digital utility was very easy to use and you should be able to get it for free

 

[algae]

I've heard great things about Drive Copy also.
Gary