Replace 20GB Sysetm Disk with larger drive

[Dan Goodson]

I would like to replace my current 20GB system disk ("C")
with a larger drive (80GB or greater)without reloading
all OS and programs.

Can I copy current "C" drive to a larger drive placed in
old "D" slot and and then mirror to "C" to "D". After
mirroring I would then place the "D" drive into "C" drive
slot(System disk) and put the old "D" drive back in.

I would like to avoid having to go though a complete OS
and application install by doing this.

Dan Goodson

 

[I'm Dan]

I would like to replace my current 20GB system disk ("C")
with a larger drive (80GB or greater)without reloading
all OS and programs.

Can I copy current "C" drive to a larger drive placed in
old "D" slot and and then mirror to "C" to "D". After
mirroring I would then place the "D" drive into "C" drive
slot(System disk) and put the old "D" drive back in.

I would like to avoid having to go though a complete OS
and application install by doing this.

The simplest and most reliable way is to use a simple disk copy utility from
the drive manufacturer. Many manufacturers (Seagate, WD, Maxtor, to name a
few -- though not IBM) have free software specifically for your intended
purpose. If you don't get a floppy disk with your new HD, you can often
download it from the manufacturer's website. To use, it's as simple as
plugging in both HD's, boot from the floppy, copy one HD to the other,
remove old HD, put new HD in its place, and reboot. Do not install the new
HD first and try to format it with XP; just put it in bare and boot the
utility floppy. (Many people make this mistake, which gives XP a chance to
give the new HD a different drive letter, which can screw things up.)

Very important: do *not* leave the old HD installed as a slave when you
first boot the new HD. Get the system back up and running with the new HD
by itself first. After the new HD is running properly as a single-HD
system, you may reformat and install the old HD as a slave if you want.