Cloning XP hard drive

[PsychoKnight]

How do I prepare my XP system for cloning? Perhaps
someone could just point me to where I can locate the
instructions for this specific configuration so I can
avoid re-authentication problems.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

P.S.
I have a separate and valid XP license for each computer,
but I want both computers to be configured the same way.
Each time I use the files & settings transfer wizard, not
only do the proper files not get transfered, the wizard
wipes out all of my network and internet connection
settings (and its taken enough calls to DSL support to
get my current configuration working that I don't want to
risk that). For this reason, it seems more failsafe to
clone the hard drive and then let the OS ask for the
needed hardware drivers upon restarts.

 

[Manda Luyong]

Does both PC have the same hardware configuration?

 

[Guest]

Windows is designed with in-built anti-piracy features. SO it is rare if not
possible to find a cloned system will work in a second hardware environment.
One would need a near identical configuration [MOBO, CPU, Memory, HDD etc].

To prepare for Cloning, one should make the system well tuned: cleanup all
the temp files, defrag hard drive etc.

Use a 3rd paty application such as ghost and clone System1 Hard Drive to
System2 Hard Drive.

Do not allow PC to boot into Windows after cloning, but remove Systemn2 HDD
and install in System2.

Boot up System2: if you have a perfect match it will run. If not, you'll
need to do a repair install to set the Windows Confguration files to the new
environment.

Without the aid of other Microsoft deployment tools and a lot of effort,
there is no easy way to build mutiple identical configurations [XP +
Applications + Files + Email + Internet etc].

 

[Art]

Please see my inline comments...

Windows is designed with in-built anti-piracy features. SO it is rare if
not
possible to find a cloned system will work in a second hardware
environment.
One would need a near identical configuration [MOBO, CPU, Memory, HDD
etc].

Using Symantec's Norton Ghost or other disk imaging program, you can clone
the contents of your hard drive to another hard drive and install the cloned
hard drive in another computer. You will most likely have to perform a
Repair install with XP after installing the cloned HD in the new machine
although on rare occasions we have been able to directly boot with the
cloned HD notwithstanding the fact that the new machine had an entirely
different set of components (motherboard, processor, RAM, etc.). But the
likelihood is that a Repair install will be necessary. Bear in mind that
Microsoft's Activation process will be needed for the new machine.

To prepare for Cloning, one should make the system well tuned: cleanup all
the temp files, defrag hard drive etc.

Good advice. The last thing you want to do is clone a defective operating
system. If you clone garbage, garbage is what you'll get. So make sure your
source disk is free of defects, viruses, and other malware before you
perform the cloning operation.

Use a 3rd paty application such as ghost and clone System1 Hard Drive to
System2 Hard Drive.

Do not allow PC to boot into Windows after cloning, but remove Systemn2
HDD
and install in System2.

There is no reason why you cannot attempt a direct boot with your cloned
drive. As I mentioned above, on occasion (admittedly rarely) it will boot
and that will save you a Repair install assuming you're transferring the
cloned drive to another computer. I have never run into any subsequent
problems that I could attribute to a failed first boot.

Boot up System2: if you have a perfect match it will run. If not, you'll
need to do a repair install to set the Windows Confguration files to the
new
environment.

If you're cloning a hard drive to another hard drive that will be used in
the same machine, then
no Repair install will be necessary. The cloned drive will boot normally.
Assuming no other major components are being changed, no additional
Activation is required. As previously indicated, the Repair install will
(usually) be necessary if the hard drive is being transferred to another
machine.

Without the aid of other Microsoft deployment tools and a lot of effort,
there is no easy way to build mutiple identical configurations [XP +
Applications + Files + Email + Internet etc].

I don't really understand this comment in the context of what is being
discussed here. A clone is a clone is a clone. It's an ideal solution for
transferring the entire contents of one's HD, including the operating
system, programs and applications, data files -- in short, everything on the
source HD, to another HD.

Art

 

[Papa Frank]

If per chance you will be cloniong because of a new HD and not attempting to
violate eula as other have summised, check with the disk mfg. i just
installed a new Western digital and used their software flwlessly and fast.

 

[Nathan McNulty]

This just seems so much easier:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302577

----
Nathan McNulty

Please see my inline comments...

Windows is designed with in-built anti-piracy features. SO it is rare if
not
possible to find a cloned system will work in a second hardware
environment.
One would need a near identical configuration [MOBO, CPU, Memory, HDD
etc].

Using Symantec's Norton Ghost or other disk imaging program, you can clone
the contents of your hard drive to another hard drive and install the cloned
hard drive in another computer. You will most likely have to perform a
Repair install with XP after installing the cloned HD in the new machine
although on rare occasions we have been able to directly boot with the
cloned HD notwithstanding the fact that the new machine had an entirely
different set of components (motherboard, processor, RAM, etc.). But the
likelihood is that a Repair install will be necessary. Bear in mind that
Microsoft's Activation process will be needed for the new machine.

To prepare for Cloning, one should make the system well tuned: cleanup all
the temp files, defrag hard drive etc.

Good advice. The last thing you want to do is clone a defective operating
system. If you clone garbage, garbage is what you'll get. So make sure your
source disk is free of defects, viruses, and other malware before you
perform the cloning operation.

Use a 3rd paty application such as ghost and clone System1 Hard Drive to
System2 Hard Drive.

Do not allow PC to boot into Windows after cloning, but remove Systemn2
HDD
and install in System2.

There is no reason why you cannot attempt a direct boot with your cloned
drive. As I mentioned above, on occasion (admittedly rarely) it will boot
and that will save you a Repair install assuming you're transferring the
cloned drive to another computer. I have never run into any subsequent
problems that I could attribute to a failed first boot.

Boot up System2: if you have a perfect match it will run. If not, you'll
need to do a repair install to set the Windows Confguration files to the
new
environment.

If you're cloning a hard drive to another hard drive that will be used in
the same machine, then
no Repair install will be necessary. The cloned drive will boot normally.
Assuming no other major components are being changed, no additional
Activation is required. As previously indicated, the Repair install will
(usually) be necessary if the hard drive is being transferred to another
machine.

Without the aid of other Microsoft deployment tools and a lot of effort,
there is no easy way to build mutiple identical configurations [XP +
Applications + Files + Email + Internet etc].

I don't really understand this comment in the context of what is being
discussed here. A clone is a clone is a clone. It's an ideal solution for
transferring the entire contents of one's HD, including the operating
system, programs and applications, data files -- in short, everything on the
source HD, to another HD.

Art