Migrating System (Vista 64 + Programs) HD

[jrgeoffrion]

I'm trying to migrate my Vista 64 system and programs from its current HD to my new Fast[er] Raptor. I thought it would be simple by using the Vista Backup and Restore Center but I must be denser than the average Joe because I can't get it to do what I want.

I created a System backup of my OS + Programs drive. I have this backup on an External USB drive. I would like to "Restore" this backup to my blank Raptor that has a partition of the same size as the original drive (50Gb). When I insert the Vista 64 Install Disk, I have no problem restoring OVER the original C: drive. However, I want to restore everything in the R: (or whatever will be my Raptor's drive letter) and not the current C: drive.

Is there a way to backup my C: drive with my Vista 64 and Programs and restore it on my Raptor (which is currently connected via a eSATA port).

Since I'm apparently not too quick, please give me the step-by-step play on how to do this. I'm also happy to provide you with any information that may be missing from this story.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Chiefcrowe]

do you have any kind of disk cloning software? I think that's probably the easiest way to do this.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

I don't have anything "special"... But Vista 64 has "Backup and Restore Center"... I just can't figure out out to define the "target" drive to install the image on...

 

[postmortemIA]

WD has free disk cloning utility, get it from their website

 

[mc866]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
WD has free disk cloning utility, get it from their website

This is just a slimmed down version of Acronis True image I believe, legally speaking if you have a WD drive you can DL this software and use it, if you have a Seagate they provide something similar.

Either way what you are looking to do is clone your drive from the old HD to the new HD. The best software I've found to do this is Acronis True Image, which is not free but worth the $$ IMHO. If you are looking for a way to do this for free check out the software from your drive manufacturer. When you do the clone just make sure you don't try and do it from Windows, make sure you boot from the cd and complete the process from there.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
WD has free disk cloning utility, get it from their website

Since I'm migrating to a Raptor, I'll use the WD software. I've looked on their web site and are we talking about the "Data Lifeguard Tools v11.2 for Windows"?

Here is the link: http://support.wdc.com/product...upid=611&sid=1<=en

If not, would you mind letting me know which of the WD software I should use.

THANKS AGAIN!

EDIT: I just downloaded the above and it wouldn't install on Vista x64

 

[mc866]

You could try the DOS cd and see if that works, personally when doing this type of thing I've had the best results if I'm not in Windows, so hopefully this will work because you shouldn't actually boot into Vista, these type of transfers usually don't do so well while logged into windows.

Assuming you own a seagate drive , try DiscWizard this is actually a slim version of Acronis True Image and will allow you to clone your disc. You will more than likely have to burn a boot CD and then follow the instructions here on how to transfer to a new disc.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Thanks! I do own a bunch of Seagate (they have the best warranty, don't they) so I'll give DiscWizard a whirl and see if that will work. I'll report back and thanks again.

 

[heymrdj]

Just use Hiren's Boot Disk. It has several images on there *cough* Acronis too *cough*. I used it to migrate my laptop's hard drive from my old 160 to my new 320, and my brothers 120 to his new 500. Easy as pie.

 

[Blazer]

acronis is the only disk imaging software i have had success with, newegg offers a download version of the software.

but as stated hirens boot disk has acronis in it.

when the imaging is complete the orig hd must be removed before first boot.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I was able to take my original system disk, make a disk image using the Seagate software (requires a Seagate drive to be detected). Once done, I copied the MBR and the image to the Raptor partition using the Restore feature. As blazer mentioned, I unplugged the original system, rebooted, changed my drive letters, and voila!

Thanks a bunch again.

 

[Blazer]

good deal, the seagate software is acronis and works great, thanks for the followup.:thumbsup: