Migrating XP Home to New HD Same Computer

[Guest]

Our XP Home SP2 was upgraded from Win 98 on a FAT32 disk.

We've added a much bigger HD formatted NTFS and have just started using it
for some data files, but it runs so much faster that it would make better
sense to move the entire XP Home installation & program/data files to the new
drive, reformat the old as NTFS and use it for spare. We have enough
removable storage to put everything back on the original small drive before
beginning work on the new large drive.

When I search documentation under 'migrate' I only see information about
moving to entire new computers. And if I use a disk mirror program I'm afraid
it'll preserve the older drive's FAT32 which would defeat the purpose. I want
to migrate the installation but benefit from the faster NTFS format.

Pointers to documentation would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[Gospel]

Well, couldn't you convert the partition to NTFS afterwards, using the
convert.exe utility ??

NOTE: Before using convert.exe check to make sure the FAT32 was properly
aligned. Read this:

[CONVERTING FAT32 to NTFS in Windows XP]
http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.php

 

[Ron Martell]

Our XP Home SP2 was upgraded from Win 98 on a FAT32 disk.

We've added a much bigger HD formatted NTFS and have just started using it
for some data files, but it runs so much faster that it would make better
sense to move the entire XP Home installation & program/data files to the new
drive, reformat the old as NTFS and use it for spare. We have enough
removable storage to put everything back on the original small drive before
beginning work on the new large drive.

When I search documentation under 'migrate' I only see information about
moving to entire new computers. And if I use a disk mirror program I'm afraid
it'll preserve the older drive's FAT32 which would defeat the purpose. I want
to migrate the installation but benefit from the faster NTFS format.

Pointers to documentation would be appreciated.

Dave

The faster performance is more likely to be a result of the new hard
drive having a higher RPM speed, a faster seek time, and a faster data
transfer rate than the old one; and not from the difference between
FAT32 and NTFS.

Go to the hard drife manufacturer's web site and check through their
available downloads. Most of them have a free drive copying/cloning
utility which you can use.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Rock]

Our XP Home SP2 was upgraded from Win 98 on a FAT32 disk.

We've added a much bigger HD formatted NTFS and have just started using it
for some data files, but it runs so much faster that it would make better
sense to move the entire XP Home installation & program/data files to the new
drive, reformat the old as NTFS and use it for spare. We have enough
removable storage to put everything back on the original small drive before
beginning work on the new large drive.

When I search documentation under 'migrate' I only see information about
moving to entire new computers. And if I use a disk mirror program I'm afraid
it'll preserve the older drive's FAT32 which would defeat the purpose. I want
to migrate the installation but benefit from the faster NTFS format.

Pointers to documentation would be appreciated.

Dave

The speed increase is most probably due to the hardware capabilities of
the new drive, not FAT32 v NTFS. Cloning the drive would work fine.
Then if you want convert it from FAT32 to NTFS. If that's the route you
choose see this article before doing the conversion for information on a
cluster size issue that can cause problems if not handled properly:

http://aumha.org/win5/a/ntfscvt.htm

Another option - the new drive should have a copy utility, or one can be
downloaded from the drive manufacturer's website - which will copy the
old drive to the new. Follow the directions exactly. After the copy is
made remove the old drive, attach the new drive as the Master on the
first IDE channel, set the jumpers accordingly and reboot only with the
new drive. Then after the system is running you an attach the old drive
and use it.

 

[richard1969]

From my personal experiences, I've found that adding the new drive to
the current system is a good way of doing things. Install the new
drive as the secondary unit. Copy files over as desired and the OS
won't know any different. As long as you put the OS on what will become
the C: drive when you remove the old drive.

If you have USB, you can get an enclosure for the drive and go that
route.