transfering entire hard drive contents to new larger drive

[Perky]

I am running xp pro fully updated on a 40gig hdd. I intend fitting a new
larger hdd
and I wish to transfer all my data, including windows os to the new drive
before removing the smaller one. Could someone please point me in the right
direction. Is it possible or advisable to use the existing set-up or is there
a better way. is it better to transfer all the contents of small drive and
leave it as blank storage, or should I remove the small drive. sorry to sound
a bit long-winded but I wanted to cover all the angles
thank you one and all
perky
thanks a bunch

 

[perky]

I also have a 250 gig external hdd if that will assist me in my quest

 

[Bob I]

You may use the cloning utility provided by the HD manufacturer for this
purpose. Many times it is provided in the retail box the drive comes in,
of you may download a copy from the manufacturers web site. Ensure you
follow the instructions to the letter.

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Perky,

If your HD manufacturer does not offer a solution, you might consider
freeware xxclone...
www.xxclone.com

With your current OS running on the smaller HD, install xxclone. Hook up
the new HD and use XP disk manager to create and format your primary "basic"
partition on the new HD. Size the partition to suite your needs, as long as
it is equal to or larger than 40GB.

Start xxclone and make sure the source and target drive letters are correct.
Select to do a full clone operation from the old 40GB drive to your new one.

Open the "cool tools" tab and select to "make bootable", check all 3 options
and select "start". Select "duplicate volume ID" and answer yes.

In the "advanced" tab, pick what you want... but maybe go ahead and set it
to use alternate wallpaper. This will give the new disk and different
wallpaper so you'll know for sure your booting to your new drive.

Go back to the main xxclone window and start the full clone operation.

When complete, go back to the "cool tools" tab and do again the "make
bootable" with all three options checked. This is to make sure the new hard
drive is still bootable.

Shut down the PC and swap drive cables, reboot and you should see your new
wallpaper... everything else should be exactly as is on the smaller 40GB
hard drive. Go back to XP disk manager to partition the remaining unused
space on that big new hard drive and format to your taste.

Keep the old 40GB drive in a safe place... maybe 30-60 days+ just in case
you need it for anything.
(it's still bootable as before the clone operation)

The reason I suggested to use the "duplicate volume ID" option is that some
programs (MS Office) look at the volume ID of the installed hard drive for
registration verification. If that Vol ID # changes, you might have to
re-register some software apps.

Read thru the xxclone user manual first...

Hope this helps!

Richard in Va.
++++++++++++

 

[Richard In Va.]

Before you start all this... you might consider running something like
CCleaner to clean out the recycle bin and temporary internet files and all
the other clutter that builds over time. Then maybe defrag as well...

(virus scan?)

Then do the Clone operation.

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[perky]

thank you very much. I was not aware that some new hdd came with software to
help in fitting the drive drive and transfering all data

 

[Anthony Buckland]

I am running xp pro fully updated on a 40gig hdd. I intend fitting a new
larger hdd
and I wish to transfer all my data, including windows os to the new drive
before removing the smaller one. Could someone please point me in the
right
direction. Is it possible or advisable to use the existing set-up or is
there
a better way. is it better to transfer all the contents of small drive and
leave it as blank storage, or should I remove the small drive. sorry to
sound
a bit long-winded but I wanted to cover all the angles
thank you one and all
perky
thanks a bunch

I've done this from necessity on another person's machine when their
hard drive died. I used an Acronis True Image image on a USB-
connected external drive, and restored it to the new drive, which
was considerably larger than the dead one. You have the option,
which I didn't, of keeping the old drive as an additional backup
until everything is known to work ok. I had no trouble, bearing in
mind that replacing a drive involves opening the case, avoiding
static electricity, carefully noting how the old drive was connected,
and other important cautions. You might want to go to the website
of your machine's manufacturer and look for downloadable
instructions you can print out for replacing a hard drive. If you've
never opened a computer before, be careful, shut down, unplug
everything (and if you're like me, tag the cables with Post-its so
you can correctly plug everything back in), ground yourself, touch
the case before you touch anything inside, move slowly step by
step, and make notes. Keep children and cats out of the way.

If it was me, I'd not use the old drive except as backup. 40
Gby is so small by today's standards that I wouldn't want to
make the effort. (I have a thumb drive that holds 16 Gby, and
I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass 40 Gby in a year
or two.)

 

[perky]

thanks again, anthony. thats the reason I am considering fitting a new
larger drive. The 40gig one is over two years old so I think it is time to
'grow' a bit. Thank you all once again. I will certainly feel more
comfortable with all you help.
all the best to you and yours
perky