Copying a drive to new drive (single NTFS partition)

[Swifty]

What are my options for copying my existing, but failing 150Gb drive (in
USB enclosure) to a new drive (Pre-mounted in USB enclosure). Ideally
free. Preserving NTFS permissions a bonus.

The existing drive contains few files likely to be "in use" but I cannot
guarantee that there will be none, so a simple copy of D:\*.* to E:\*.*
might not work.

I can probably cope with the "locked" files being bypassed; they would
most likely be DLL's and the like, and I can easily re-install any
applications that end up with missing pieces. But a copy process that
gives up on error is no use.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

What are my options for copying my existing, but failing 150Gb drive (in
USB enclosure) to a new drive (Pre-mounted in USB enclosure). Ideally
free. Preserving NTFS permissions a bonus.

The existing drive contains few files likely to be "in use" but I cannot
guarantee that there will be none, so a simple copy of D:\*.* to E:\*.*
might not work.

I can probably cope with the "locked" files being bypassed; they would
most likely be DLL's and the like, and I can easily re-install any
applications that end up with missing pieces. But a copy process that
gives up on error is no use.

Use cloning software, such as the free demo version of Acronis TrueImage.
You'll be done within an hour of the download.

If the drive is failing, pretty much all utilities will have problems. I
often use FileSync on non-system drives, though it has some visual issues
with larger files. Still works, but you'll see it go past 100% on files
larger than about 2 gig. With this, you can check for files that are
already copied and copy just the ones that didn't make it.

HTH
-pk

 

[JS]

A simple utility named SyncToy might do the job:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

Use the "Contribute" option. Copies Left to Right (Old USB to New USB
drive). Set the left folder to the root of the old USB drive (example: U:\)
and the right folder to the root of the new drive (example: V:\)

 

[Touch Base]

What are my options for copying my existing, but failing 150Gb drive (in
USB enclosure) to a new drive (Pre-mounted in USB enclosure). Ideally
free. Preserving NTFS permissions a bonus.

The existing drive contains few files likely to be "in use" but I cannot
guarantee that there will be none, so a simple copy of D:\*.* to E:\*.*
might not work.

I can probably cope with the "locked" files being bypassed; they would
most likely be DLL's and the like, and I can easily re-install any
applications that end up with missing pieces. But a copy process that
gives up on error is no use.

 

[Bookman]

About a week ago I used the trial version of Acronis True Image Home to
clone a failing hard drive. It worked flawlessly, and was very simple to
use. I highly reccomend it!

 

[Mike Torello]

About a week ago I used the trial version of Acronis True Image Home to
clone a failing hard drive. It worked flawlessly, and was very simple to
use. I highly reccomend it!

As does just about everyone in the XP and Vist groups, except "Anna".

 

[Mike Torello]

No need to be jealous of Anna's expertise.

Anna's expertise is no better than mine on this matter. In fact, I'd
say mine is better than hers since I frequently use BOTH Acronis True
Image and Casper... she only uses Casper.

Casper works flawlessly and is a great app.

That it is, but it's got limited capability in comparison to Acronis
True Image. Acronis True Image costs LESS and is more capable and
more flexible.

It makes images - which most people want to make when they backup
their computers - AND clones, whereas Casper can only clone. Clones
aren't practical in many cases for a variety of reasons.

That said, she recommends Casper to everyone, regardless of what their
needs are, and I really don't think Casper it the better choice for
the vast majority of users.

If I had to choose only one backup app, it would be Acronis True
Image.

 

[Swifty]

What are my options for copying my existing, but failing 150Gb drive (in
USB enclosure) to a new drive (Pre-mounted in USB enclosure). Ideally
free. Preserving NTFS permissions a bonus.

Thank you for the answers, and my apologies for being late. I went on
holiday two days after my original post.

Coming back from holiday, the sounds of failure were far worse, but it
turned out to be a sticking fan in my USB enclosure (which replaced a
different USB enclosure which failed in the same way!)

Given the summer weather we are getting in the UK, I can manage without
cooling until the glaciers all melt!

However, the new drive project is proceeding, and the information will
be handy in due course.