Putting in a new system drive and transferring files

[DSF]

I had to RMA the hard drive for my recent build because it was DOA, so I'm using a PATA drive that I had around as a spare. According to UPS my replacement was delivered today from Newegg, so this afternoon I'm going to put it into the system.

Is there an easy way to transfer everything from the old drive to the new so that I don't have to reinstall windows and then load up my game files, docs, etc. from a CD? I'm hopefully looking for a free way, but something under $25 would be OK. I assume there's some kind of disk imaging software or something like that I can use, but I'm not very knowledgeable in this area.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Linflas]

I assume you don't have access to Ghost. You can make a BartsPE disk with the DriveImage XML plugin and use it. It is pretty easy as long as you have access to your Windows XP install CD and you can download BartsPE and DriveImage at no cost.

 

[Roguestar]

Get a 15 day trial of Acronis:
http://www.acronis.com/homecom...ng/download/trueimage/

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Get a 15 day trial of Acronis:
http://www.acronis.com/homecom...ng/download/trueimage/

That looks like it might be what I'm looking for.

My only question is that on their website they have another program called Migrate Easy that looks like it does exactly what I want to do - migrate all data from one drive to another. Any reason that I should use True Image 11 instead of Migrate Easy?

 

[corkyg]

Actually, what you want to do is clone your old drive to the new drive. If you have Vista, then the clone function has to be TrueImage 11. With XP, it is better with version 10 build 4942.

It is a very simple process with TI. You have it prepare the bootable Rescue CD. Then boot to it with both drives connected. Select the CLONE function and the rest is easy.

When done, switch drives and you should boot right up with the new drive. You can keep the old one as a backup, or convert it to a data drive.

Migrate Easy is intended for moving applications to an existing different system. Cloning is the operative word.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: DSF

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Get a 15 day trial of Acronis:
http://www.acronis.com/homecom...ng/download/trueimage/

That looks like it might be what I'm looking for.

My only question is that on their website they have another program called Migrate Easy that looks like it does exactly what I want to do - migrate all data from one drive to another. Any reason that I should use True Image 11 instead of Migrate Easy?

Why not try both, then?

15-day trial
http://www.acronis.com/homecom.../download/migrateeasy/

 

[DSF]

Ok guys, thanks for your help. I'll give all this a try when I get home.

One last question - what is device manager in Windows going to say when it has the hardware profile from the old drive showing a 400GB PATA Seagate, but it finds itself running on a 500GB SATA Samsung? Does that matter at all, or will it take care of itself?

 

[Davegod]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek in another thread
Seagate DiscWizard now includes Acronis True Image 10!

Same applies to the Maxtor MaxBlast.

All it requires is at least 1 Seagate or Maxtor Hard Drive installed in your system.

Available for free download here:

DiscWizard 10

MaxBlast 5

Enjoy your free software, courtesy of my favorite choice for Hard Drives!

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: DSF
Ok guys, thanks for your help. I'll give all this a try when I get home.

One last question - what is device manager in Windows going to say when it has the hardware profile from the old drive showing a 400GB PATA Seagate, but it finds itself running on a 500GB SATA Samsung? Does that matter at all, or will it take care of itself?

It might ask you to reactivate if you're unlucky, but I doubt it. One reboot should be all it takes; it should boot up the first time, take in its new surroundings with a surprised look on its face, change some stuff and then reboot and be fine.

 

[corkyg]

I have done this so many times I've lost count. The normal occurence has been "New Hardware Found" etc., and a reboot. It has never required a reactivation for just a HDD change.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Originally posted by: DSF
Ok guys, thanks for your help. I'll give all this a try when I get home.

One last question - what is device manager in Windows going to say when it has the hardware profile from the old drive showing a 400GB PATA Seagate, but it finds itself running on a 500GB SATA Samsung? Does that matter at all, or will it take care of itself?

It might ask you to reactivate if you're unlucky, but I doubt it. One reboot should be all it takes; it should boot up the first time, take in its new surroundings with a surprised look on its face, change some stuff and then reboot and be fine.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Unfortunately my RMA was apparently shipped as "signature required" so they didn't leave it at my condo. I'm probably going to have to pick it up from UPS, which doesn't make much sense to me because everything else Newegg has shipped has just been left at my door, including a previous RMA.

Edit: UPS dropped it off today while I was at work without a signature. Go figure. Everything running smoothly from my new drive. Thanks guys!