Clone laptop replacement hdd

[Ken K]

We have two identical Dell laptops with Win XP, one of whose hard drive
has died and is being replaced by Dell.

I would like to know the simplest method to reinstall programs so that
the new hard drive will be identical to the old drive and its "twin".
Basically, what I am asking, is 1, which files contain the registry and
settings, because I can copy them onto the replacement hard drive from
the remaining functional laptop, once I have installed the new operating
system, and 2, how do I actually replace those files with the newly
installed ones, as the newly installed ones will be in use by the
operating system.

I am sure that someone has figured this out, right?

Thanks
Ken K

 

[R. McCarty]

Dell supplies either a "Recovery" partition on the drive itself,
or a set of CD's that contain the system image. After the new
drive is installed, you run the Recovery procedure to install
the Operating System and all applications. This re-creates the
disk to the state it was when the system was shipped to you.

Personal data and Windows settings for each user are stored
in C:\Documents and Settings\'UserName'
Username being the login name for that account.

Unless the bad drive was backed up or imaged before it went
bad, all of that data (My Docs, Email,etc) is lost.

 

[Ken K]

I basically have a backup image in that the second laptop has the same
OS and programs, setttings, etc. and I would like to know if there is a
way to "clone" that laptop's drive onto the one that is being replaced.
I must not have been clear in my post.

Thanks
Ken K

 

[dglock]

the best way to do what you want is to use an imaging
program on the laptop with the good drive. ghost,drive
image or acronis will do it.
you can store the image on cds or dvds.
when you get the laptop with the new drive you will put in
the cd you make with the imaging program and run the
imaging program.
i have used both ghost and acronis and of the two i
recommend acronis.
don

 

[Ken K]

Thanks. I will give it a go.

Ken K

the best way to do what you want is to use an imaging
program on the laptop with the good drive. ghost,drive
image or acronis will do it.
you can store the image on cds or dvds.
when you get the laptop with the new drive you will put in
the cd you make with the imaging program and run the
imaging program.
i have used both ghost and acronis and of the two i
recommend acronis.
don



has the same


if there is a


being replaced.


the new


creates the


whose hard drive


programs so that the


its "twin".


the registry and


hard drive from the


new operating


with the newly


use by the

 

[Ken K]

Acronis worked like a charm! Thanks for turning me on to that program.