couple questions about cloning a HD

[David Besack]

I am running out of space and would like to clone my HD. First, can
Windows do this or do I need 3rd party software? Second, is it possible
to clone a single drive on an IDE channel to a striped RAID pair of SATA
HDs? Third, how dependable is striped RAID? Or does it depend on the
controller? I would be using the on-board RAID on an Abit NF7-S. For
example, if the mobo died and I needed another one, would all my data be
gone? TIA.

 

[Dave C.]

I am running out of space and would like to clone my HD. First, can
Windows do this or do I need 3rd party software? Second, is it possible to
clone a single drive on an IDE channel to a striped RAID pair of SATA HDs?
Third, how dependable is striped RAID? Or does it depend on the
controller? I would be using the on-board RAID on an Abit NF7-S. For
example, if the mobo died and I needed another one, would all my data be
gone? TIA.

The answer to all your questions is to buy Acronis True Image and use it
regularly to back up everything. -Dave

 

[tomcas]

I am running out of space and would like to clone my HD. First, can
Windows do this or do I need 3rd party software? Second, is it possible
to clone a single drive on an IDE channel to a striped RAID pair of SATA
HDs? Third, how dependable is striped RAID? Or does it depend on the
controller? I would be using the on-board RAID on an Abit NF7-S. For
example, if the mobo died and I needed another one, would all my data be
gone? TIA.

For plain and simple cloning I found the free utilities from the drive
manufactures are the simplest to use. They may not be the fastest but
but they definitely are the easiest.

 

[DES]

For plain and simple cloning I found the free utilities from the drive
manufactures are the simplest to use. They may not be the fastest but but
they definitely are the easiest.

I definitely agree with this assessment. I have always just used the drive
manufacturers software to transfer from old to new drive. I also use Image
for Windows to do weekly images of the system drive in case I need to
restore because of drive failure. Always use some sort of imaging software
to keep a current image in case of drive failure or system meltdown........