Have 2 identical computers. Put a larger HDD in one. Copy sytem.

[Guest]

I have 2 identical computers. The origional hard drive is just to small. I
want to change out the smaller harddrive (8GB) with a larger one (40GB), move
the entire system to the new harddrive, and remove the old harddrive from the
system completely for use in the second computer.

I was thinking xcopy /h. Is there another or better way?

 

[Tom The real One]

I have 2 identical computers. The origional hard drive is just to small.
I
want to change out the smaller harddrive (8GB) with a larger one (40GB),
move
the entire system to the new harddrive, and remove the old harddrive from
the
system completely for use in the second computer.

I was thinking xcopy /h. Is there another or better way?

Try the HD makers site for disk prep program that will allow prep an copy
all at same time. Every disk I have bought lately came with one . Western
Digital's worked well for me. You will need to have at least one drive
their brand to use most.

Tom

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Bill.

Xcopy is one of my favorite utilities. But it can deal only with FILES.
The boot sector must also be moved to the new HD, and it is not a file, so
Xcopy can't touch it. Also, Xcopy can't copy the files for the Registry
that is currently in use. If you have a second copy of WinXP and can boot
into that, then Xcopy works very well for transferring an entire volume,
even for the non-current boot volume. For that, I use these parameters:
xcopy c:\ x:\ /c /h /e /r /k

Tom's suggestion to use the drive maker's utility is probably the best idea,
but if that is not available, you can use Xcopy. Here's one way...

Since you have two computers, you might add both your 8 and 40 GB drives as
the second and third HDs in your second machine. (The 40 GB can be
partitioned and formatted either before or after putting it into the second
computer.) Then boot into WinXP on that computer, open a "DOS" window,
identify the "drive" letters for the two added drives, and use Xcopy to copy
everything (including the Registry files) from the 8 to the 40 GB drive.
(Don't worry about assigning permanent letters for the drives at this point;
these are used only temporarily.) Then physically install the 40 GB HD into
your first computer as primary master, boot from the WinXP CD-ROM, choose R
for Repair, and use FixBoot to create a new boot sector on the new Drive C:.
You should then be able to boot from the 40 GB drive.

You didn't mention how your 40 GB drive is (or will be) formatted. Unless
you plan to install Win9x/ME on it, use NTFS. If you choose to use FAT32,
you'll have to boot from an MS-DOS boot floppy and format it (since WinXP
won't format as FAT32 a volume larger than 32 GB, although it can happily
use such a volume). Then use Xcopy from that boot floppy to copy all of the
old C: to what will become the new C:; since WinXP is not running, the
Registry files should transfer without incident. Then remove the old HD and
install the new one as primary master. You'll still need to boot from the
WinXP CD-ROM and run FixBoot to get the boot sector in place. If you like,
you can use Convert.exe later to convert that volume to NTFS.

RC

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have 2 identical computers. The origional hard drive is just
to
small. I want to change out the smaller harddrive (8GB) with a
larger one (40GB),

If you're coming from an 8GB drive, 40GB may seem enormous to
you, but realize that that's about the smallest drive you can buy
today, and our needs are always expanding. While you're doing it,
you might want to consider a larger drive, which may not cost a
whole lot more.

move the entire system to the new harddrive, and
remove the old harddrive from the system completely for use in
the
second computer.

I was thinking xcopy /h. Is there another or better way?

Xcopy /h won't work. You need a drive imaging utility. The new
drive may come with one, or you can use something like Norton
Ghost or Drive Image.

 

[Plato]

Try the HD makers site for disk prep program that will allow prep an copy
all at same time. Every disk I have bought lately came with one . Western

If you buy retail. OEM HDDs often dont come with disks. In my area, if
you buy OEM from distributors, then NEVER come with disks.

 

[Al Smith]

Try the HD makers site for disk prep program that will allow prep an copy

If you buy retail. OEM HDDs often dont come with disks. In my area, if
you buy OEM from distributors, then NEVER come with disks.

It can be downloaded for free from the various hard disk
manufacturers' sites. Get the version that matches the brand of
the larger drive.

 

[Plato]

It can be downloaded for free from the various hard disk
manufacturers' sites. Get the version that matches the brand of
the larger drive.

Agreed.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Ed,

Am heading out, but, if your son plays H2 live, send me an email with his
gamer tag. )

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Plato]

Am heading out, but, if your son plays H2 live, send me an email with his
gamer tag. )

Yep he does. Has the headset and all. I've tried to get into it for a
bit, but I just dont like the controller.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

I agree but would leave 8GB where it is 4 VM & Images or
'stuff'.

I have 2x 40GB - VM + all BUs r Images on #2

Unless both HDs crash at same time, I'm safe from all but
fire, flood, and war Those will be covered somewhat if I
buy($25) a IDE-USB2 external converter which will make some
extra HD's I have into removeable USB2 drives.

Just my 2¢ worth. Larry

In


If you're coming from an 8GB drive, 40GB may seem enormous to
you, but realize that that's about the smallest drive you can buy
today, and our needs are always expanding. While you're doing it,
you might want to consider a larger drive, which may not cost a
whole lot more.




Xcopy /h won't work. You need a drive imaging utility. The new
drive may come with one, or you can use something like Norton
Ghost or Drive Image.

Any advise given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS (Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have 2 identical computers. The origional hard drive is just to small. I
want to change out the smaller harddrive (8GB) with a larger one (40GB), move
the entire system to the new harddrive, and remove the old harddrive from the
system completely for use in the second computer.

I was thinking xcopy /h. Is there another or better way?

That will not work. You need a true 'clone' copying the entire
partition across. What I use is BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com
($35 shareware - 30 day full functional trial)

Download, to its own folder, extract from the zip, run the bootitng to
make a boot floppy.

With the new drive plugged in as slave/secondary, boot the floppy,
Cancel Install, entering maintenance, then click on Partition work.
Highlight your C:,Copy, then on left select the new drive (HD1),
highlight the Free Space in it, and Paste.

You might then sensibly consider a resize up a bit. But I would leave
some free space so as later to make a new separate partition in it - in
XP Control Panel - Admin Tools - Computer Management, select Disk
Management and look lower right for the graphic of the drive. R-click
Unallocated space and create Partition. Make the C say 16 GB, with 20
or so for a data one

Now click on 'View MBR' and in it highlight the entry for this new C
partition and click the 'Set Active' Click 'Write Standard MBR' and
Apply.

Close out, swap the disks to make the new one the one that boots, and
reboot into XP.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have 2x 40GB - VM + all BUs r Images on #2

Unless both HDs crash at same time, I'm safe from all but
fire, flood, and war

Also virus attacks, severe power glitches such as a nearby
lightning strike, and theft of the computer.

Those will be covered somewhat if I
buy($25) a IDE-USB2 external converter which will make some
extra HD's I have into removeable USB2 drives.

Good plan. I'm a very strong advocate of not having backup media
kept in the computer.

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

What I use is BootIT NG

Greetings Alex:

I've been delaying purchase of DVD equivalent of CD-RW since
DI6 cant burn directly 2 DVD. Also Norton took over PM which
I'm not wild about. I guess DI is history too since Ghost
does same thing.

I read BootIt comparison page & it seems to me 4 $35-$50 I
can do everything PM & DI did PLUS burn images directly to
CD-RW's & DVD's. TRUE? If so I will buy NOW b4 dollar drops
even lower!

Is cheap OEM version (no TS) offered?

Comments/suggestions/corrections appreciated.
Thanks- bye- Larry


Any advise given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS (Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes

 

[Trent©]

I have 2 identical computers. The origional hard drive is just to small. I
want to change out the smaller harddrive (8GB) with a larger one (40GB), move
the entire system to the new harddrive, and remove the old harddrive from the
system completely for use in the second computer.

I was thinking xcopy /h. Is there another or better way?

Use a cloning program...as Alex suggested. Ghost and Drive Image are
also excellent...but not free. BootItNG is a good program.

When you clone over, you may not be able to see the entire 40 gig when
you get done...but you should see at least 32 gig of it.

Good luck.


Have a nice one...

Trent

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!

 

[Kelly]

<s> If you hear him speaking while playing (with the commander), he is
live. Ask him for his gamer tag, he will know what you are speaking of,
trust me. )

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

I'm a very strong advocate of not having backup media
kept in the computer.

Re malware - Hidden partitions used to be tough to get at
but now C:\WINDOWS\system32\diskmgmt.msc shows them with a
DELETE option. Also removable drives r easier to save in
physical disasters & r easy to electronically disconnect 4
security purposes. Hence I agree with you.

Comments/suggestions/corrections appreciated.
Thanks- bye- Larry


Any advise given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS (Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes

 

[Alex Nichol]

I read BootIt comparison page & it seems to me 4 $35-$50 I
can do everything PM & DI did PLUS burn images directly to
CD-RW's & DVD's. TRUE? If so I will buy NOW b4 dollar drops
even lower!

Is cheap OEM version (no TS) offered?

I find that BootitNG does everything for me, including burn DVD image
sets direct, and do not have copies of PM or the like any more. Just
one point, if you are not going to use its Boot Manager function (the
original one), don't install it. Just boot the floppy (or you can make
a Bootable CD) and Cancel Install. That will enter Maintenance, and
Partition Work will do anything, provided it can access the device
through BIOS or via USB/Firewire
..

You get 30 days free trial, so give it a try

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

Just
one point, if you are not going to use its Boot Manager function (the
original one), don't install it. Just boot the floppy (or you can make
a Bootable CD) and Cancel Install.

Thx 4 pointer. I dual boot 2 XP's using PQboot now & would
like to keep that when I uninstall all Power Quest stuff.I
assume u cant have both on PC. It comes-up in a CMD window
with number assigned to each OS & u type N & it restarts in
OS N.

Is their TS decent? Never thought much of PQ's. Any help
with PQ I got here which is why I try to answer 5-10x as
many threads as I ask the few times a year I am here.

Your help is MUCH appreciated. Thanks- bye- Larry


Any advise given is my attempt to show appreciation for all
the excellent help I've received here but I'm no MVP so it
may only apply NUGS (Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes

 

[Alex Nichol]

Thx 4 pointer. I dual boot 2 XP's using PQboot now & would
like to keep that when I uninstall all Power Quest stuff.I
assume u cant have both on PC. It comes-up in a CMD window
with number assigned to each OS & u type N & it restarts in
OS N.

No you couldn't have both, and probably better stick with what you know.
The thing I like about BING's boot instances are that you can set up in
detail what partitions are to be seen; *and* where in the partition
table they are to be placed on this occasion. That gets round all the
trickiness of boot.ini entries if you clone an XP to a different
partition - mine are both partition(2). It also has a feature whereby
it will boot automatically to the instance last used (unless you hold
Insert to bring up the menu), and has an auxiliary program to allow you
to shut down the present system and reboot to a different one. But
given it has a 30 day full functional trial, give it a work out