Back up hard disk

[aw56001 via WindowsKB.com]

Hello
Running WinXP Pro with SP2 on MS-6728 (v2.X) ATX Mainboard using Maxtor
6Y160M0 on a computer that someone else built as I have limited computer
expertise.
The above hard disk is divided into 5 partitions using NTFS however one of
the partitions caused some problems last week and I had to switch it off.
I have bought a second hard disk in case the first hard fails altogether at
some point in the future.
After installation I want to partition this disk into 2 partitions and to do
this do I right click 'My Computer' then 'Manage' then 'Disk Management' to
set up the new hard drive?
I want to clone the first hard disk onto the new hard disk and I have been
advised to use a raid mirror but I haven't a clue what this is. Do I need
special software or can it be done using the WinXP tools?
Could someone please explain the process simply or point me to an article
that is specific to my situation.
Finally how do I keep the second hard disk updated if the data changes on the
first hard disk?
Many Thanks
aw56001

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Use disk imaging software to clone a hard disk. Popular programs are
Acronis True Image, Symantec Norton Ghost and Image for Windows by
Terabyte Unlimited.

 

[Keith]

Hello
Running WinXP Pro with SP2 on MS-6728 (v2.X) ATX Mainboard using Maxtor
6Y160M0 on a computer that someone else built as I have limited computer
expertise.
The above hard disk is divided into 5 partitions using NTFS however one of
the partitions caused some problems last week and I had to switch it off.
I have bought a second hard disk in case the first hard fails altogether
at
some point in the future.
After installation I want to partition this disk into 2 partitions and to
do
this do I right click 'My Computer' then 'Manage' then 'Disk Management'
to
set up the new hard drive?
I want to clone the first hard disk onto the new hard disk and I have been
advised to use a raid mirror but I haven't a clue what this is. Do I need
special software or can it be done using the WinXP tools?
Could someone please explain the process simply or point me to an article
that is specific to my situation.
Finally how do I keep the second hard disk updated if the data changes on
the
first hard disk?
Many Thanks
aw56001

look at a program called Beyond Compare

 

[Jonny]

Hello
Running WinXP Pro with SP2 on MS-6728 (v2.X) ATX Mainboard using Maxtor
6Y160M0 on a computer that someone else built as I have limited computer
expertise.
The above hard disk is divided into 5 partitions using NTFS however one of
the partitions caused some problems last week and I had to switch it off.
I have bought a second hard disk in case the first hard fails altogether
at
some point in the future.
After installation I want to partition this disk into 2 partitions and to
do
this do I right click 'My Computer' then 'Manage' then 'Disk Management'
to
set up the new hard drive?
I want to clone the first hard disk onto the new hard disk and I have been
advised to use a raid mirror but I haven't a clue what this is. Do I need
special software or can it be done using the WinXP tools?
Could someone please explain the process simply or point me to an article
that is specific to my situation.
Finally how do I keep the second hard disk updated if the data changes on
the
first hard disk?
Many Thanks
aw56001

A RAID mirror will continue maintain a copy, even when the first drive
starts to fail and make gibberish.

A clone of the first hard drive to an alternate hard drive will save the
hard drive as it is now. This clone should never be visible to current XP
installation. Physical removal of the clone drive is best. Keeping your
personal data on still another media is further insurance.

 

[aw56001 via WindowsKB.com]

Many thanks for all the replies. I didn't really want to buy any additional
software as I haven't much money left after upgrading.
I have now given up on the 2 partitions for the back up hard disk. It is
essentially the operating system (on C drive/partition) and my personal
settings that I want to keep on the back up hard disk so I can retrieve it in
the event of the main hard disk failing.
I will just have one 80GB partition on the back up hard disk and use Nero
Ghost to ghost C drive/partition from the main hard disk to the new 80GB back
up disk and re-ghost every month or so. I have a DVD-RW so I can save most of
partition D (music/tv progs/films) on DVD-R media.
Would this be acceptable and would it work? Would the two hard drives run
happily with each other without having to disconnect the back up hard drive.
Thanks
aw56001

Hello
Running WinXP Pro with SP2 on MS-6728 (v2.X) ATX Mainboard using Maxtor

[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]

Many Thanks
aw56001

A RAID mirror will continue maintain a copy, even when the first drive
starts to fail and make gibberish.

A clone of the first hard drive to an alternate hard drive will save the
hard drive as it is now. This clone should never be visible to current XP
installation. Physical removal of the clone drive is best. Keeping your
personal data on still another media is further insurance.

 

[Jonny]

The idea of cloned hard drive is have an available one if the first one
fails. This failure can be due to many things including a power glitch. If
the clone is present and connected, it can also fail during this condition.

Check for a removable hard drive tray. They're not expensive. If your PC
case doesn't have an open bay, its not a choice then.
--
Jonny

Many thanks for all the replies. I didn't really want to buy any
additional
software as I haven't much money left after upgrading.
I have now given up on the 2 partitions for the back up hard disk. It is
essentially the operating system (on C drive/partition) and my personal
settings that I want to keep on the back up hard disk so I can retrieve it
in
the event of the main hard disk failing.
I will just have one 80GB partition on the back up hard disk and use Nero
Ghost to ghost C drive/partition from the main hard disk to the new 80GB
back
up disk and re-ghost every month or so. I have a DVD-RW so I can save most
of
partition D (music/tv progs/films) on DVD-R media.
Would this be acceptable and would it work? Would the two hard drives run
happily with each other without having to disconnect the back up hard
drive.
Thanks
aw56001

Hello
Running WinXP Pro with SP2 on MS-6728 (v2.X) ATX Mainboard using Maxtor

[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]

Many Thanks
aw56001

A RAID mirror will continue maintain a copy, even when the first drive
starts to fail and make gibberish.

A clone of the first hard drive to an alternate hard drive will save the
hard drive as it is now. This clone should never be visible to current XP
installation. Physical removal of the clone drive is best. Keeping your
personal data on still another media is further insurance.

 

[aw56001 via WindowsKB.com]

Jonny et al
Thanks for the information. Tomorrow I will Norton Ghost the C partition
(system files) on hard drive 1 to hard drive 2. I will then disconnect it. Do
I disconnect both the SATA cable and the power cable to be doubly sure?
Thanks

The idea of cloned hard drive is have an available one if the first one
fails. This failure can be due to many things including a power glitch. If
the clone is present and connected, it can also fail during this condition.

Check for a removable hard drive tray. They're not expensive. If your PC
case doesn't have an open bay, its not a choice then.

Many thanks for all the replies. I didn't really want to buy any
additional

[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]