Newbie - backup OS on new HDD

[John L]

Hello,

My current HD is rather old, and could fail anytime.
I have all my data backed up on cd, so a HDD failure
wouldn't be disasterous; however, I'd like a backup
system so that I can pick up where I left off, with
as little fuss as possible.

Here's my plan-

(physically)Remove my current drive and replace it with
my new one.
Format the new drive (I know how to do that)
and install win2k, my dialup connection, browser, and
email client.
I'd then replace the original drive.
How is my plan so far?

I'd then re-install the original drive.

Perhaps I'd keep the second drive in the pc (disconnected)
or maybe I could install it as a slave, until it's required
as the primary master on .
Suggestions, thoughts, potential problems?

A few folk have suggested RAID, but they're not RAID drives,
and I'm way too new to all of this to be tinkering.
I am a newbie, so I want to keep things as simple as
possible.

Thanks in advance,
John

 

[DL]

The confussion would set in if you decided to install or update anything.
You would have to swap the hd and repeat.
Many people use either Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image for a full
sys/data, backup/image solution.

The hd being old doesnt neccessarily mean its about to fail, the hd manu.
checking utility may give you info on the state of the hd

 

[John L]

Thanks DL,

I really appreciate your input. I think I'll
just install the drive as a slave for now, and worry about reloading
win2k when the original drive fails.

Regards,
John