What is the best way to copy info from an old HD to a new one?

[spartacuskzm]

I purchased a new 120GB WD HD yesterday. Rather than running both, I'm going to recycle the old one at some point in the near future (in other words I don't want to run both for the time being, but rather pluck the old one now).

Question is what is the best way for me to copy the info from the old HD to the new one. Please tell me it isn't as simple as simply Dragging and Dropping.....(would be good - but embarassing).

Oh yeah - the existing 40GB HD is partitioned 10, 10, 20...any need to copy into like-sized partitions?

Lastly, should I preset the other HD to very basic settings since I'm not sure what chipset my next MOBO will be?

Thanks all.

 

[F1]

ScrapSilicon suggestion in the next post sounds like a far more hassle free option. Ignore my suggestion unless you want to do a fresh install of the OS.

If you plan to use the new HDD on its own. You'll firstly have to put that baby in your machine as the primary master and install the operating system on it. Once thats done ensure your old HDD is connected up as the primary slave. You may need to go into your bios and detect the 2nd HDD if your system doesnt already auto detect it. The opertaing system will see both physical drives when you boot into windows and its as simple as dragging & dropping what you want from your old disk onto the new one.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

do not do anything to the drive...use the WD provided utilties to migrate with...there is a lil manual if the drive you purchased was retail( not to sure on migrating 3 separate partitions tho..have only done 1 to 1 types..so far..all successful )gl <edit> what a bunch of crud..WD site and redirects..info on WD DLG

Data Lifeguard Tools Software Utilities

Easily partitions and formats the new hard drive.
Overcomes operating system and BIOS limitations.
Quickly and safely copies the contents of the existing hard drive onto the new hard drive.
Tests drive for Ultra ATA compatibility.
Can quickly diagnose and repair many drive problems that may arise.


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