Transfering XP system files into a larger HDD

[Windows XP user]

Hi there,

My apologies for the introduction being about as long as Godzilla's
flatulence but maybe better if I give all information in order to make this
transfer happen.

Currently I have two HDDs. The first is partitioned into two sections (C:\
and D:\). C:\ is purely the operating system and D:\ is the software such
as Corel Draw, Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc. The second HDD only has one
partition E:\ and that contains all the data including the Temporary
Internet Files and the e-mails. The My Documents are pointing to a specific
area of the E:\ drive.

What has happened is that I made an error in judgement and my C:\ drive is
starting to run out of space. Idealistically I would like to make an XCOPY
(Shit - I'm still a man form the DOS era) of all folders and files into a
larger drive that is also partition similar as the smaller drive.

What I did is replace the data drive with the new drive. I then partitioned
accordingly and formatted them to NTFS. I have then assigned them a drive
letter in order to copy them across. I highlighted all the files and
folders in the original and dragged them to the new drive's primary
partition and then I receive some sort of error. I cannot remember fully
but it was something I believe that the files were in use etc.

At this point I decided to halt the transfer, replaced the drive back to my
old drive and sought some help.

Is there a good set of procedures that I could make such a transfer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi there,

My apologies for the introduction being about as long as Godzilla's
flatulence but maybe better if I give all information in order to make this
transfer happen.

Currently I have two HDDs. The first is partitioned into two sections (C:\
and D:\). C:\ is purely the operating system and D:\ is the software such
as Corel Draw, Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc. The second HDD only has one
partition E:\ and that contains all the data including the Temporary
Internet Files and the e-mails. The My Documents are pointing to a specific
area of the E:\ drive.

What has happened is that I made an error in judgement and my C:\ drive is
starting to run out of space. Idealistically I would like to make an XCOPY
(Shit - I'm still a man form the DOS era) of all folders and files into a
larger drive that is also partition similar as the smaller drive.

What I did is replace the data drive with the new drive. I then partitioned
accordingly and formatted them to NTFS. I have then assigned them a drive
letter in order to copy them across. I highlighted all the files and
folders in the original and dragged them to the new drive's primary
partition and then I receive some sort of error. I cannot remember fully
but it was something I believe that the files were in use etc.

At this point I decided to halt the transfer, replaced the drive back to my
old drive and sought some help.

Is there a good set of procedures that I could make such a transfer.

Thanks in advance.

Windows won't let you copy itself to a different partition because
a number of its files are open and therefore locked. There are
several options to do what you want to do:
- Use an imaging program (Acronis, DriveImage)
- Use the disk manufacturer's cloning program
- Temporarily install both disks as secondary master/slave
disks in some other WinXP/2000 PC, then use xcopy.exe
with the appropriate switches to copy all files, including
hidden and system files.
- Boot the machine with a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com),
the use xcopy.exe as before.

Post again if you need further details on any of these options.

 

[Alias]

Windows won't let you copy itself to a different partition because
a number of its files are open and therefore locked. There are
several options to do what you want to do:
- Use an imaging program (Acronis, DriveImage)

Do you happen to know a web site that gives simple instructions for
using Acronis?

Thanks,

Alias

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Do you happen to know a web site that gives simple instructions for
using Acronis?

Thanks,

Alias

The Acronis site!

 

[Windows XP user]

Windows won't let you copy itself to a different partition because
a number of its files are open and therefore locked. There are
several options to do what you want to do:
- Use an imaging program (Acronis, DriveImage)
- Use the disk manufacturer's cloning program
- Temporarily install both disks as secondary master/slave
disks in some other WinXP/2000 PC, then use xcopy.exe
with the appropriate switches to copy all files, including
hidden and system files.
- Boot the machine with a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com),
the use xcopy.exe as before.

Post again if you need further details on any of these options.

I have downloaded a demo version and the manual of Acronis True Image 9.0 as
they seems to have a good feature about disc cloning - the very feature I
require so I hope that the software will be sufficient enough before I
purchase.

For Alias, this web site from Acronis
http://download.acronis.com/pdf/TrueImage9.0_ug.en.pdf you can directly
download the manual and it seems simple enough to use.

I will post again after the results.

 

[Alias]

The Acronis site!

I downloaded the manual from that site and it seems pretty complicated
is why I asked. I guess I will have to spend the weekend digesting it.

Alias

 

[Anna]

Do you happen to know a web site that gives simple instructions for using
Acronis?
Thanks,
Alias

The Acronis site!

Alias again...

I downloaded the manual from that site and it seems pretty complicated is
why I asked. I guess I will have to spend the weekend digesting it.
Alias

Alias:
No need to spend an entire weekend. Here are some step-by-step instructions
for using the Acronis True Image bootable CD to clone the entire contents of
one HD to another HD. When you install the ATI program on your computer
you'll be given an option to create a ATI bootable CD. Do so.

These instructions apply to the ATI version 8 program. I haven't worked with
the version 9 program but I suspect the process is just about the same...

1. Ensure there are no other storage devices connected to the computer other
than the source and destination drives.

a. If both drives (source & destination) are connected, and the computer
is running, insert the Acronis bootable CD in your CD/DVD drive and restart
your computer. If you're cloning to a USB/Firewire external HD, that device
can be connected before restarting your computer.

b. If *only* your working drive (the source disk) is connected at the
time the computer is running, insert the Acronis bootable CD in your CD/DVD
device and shutdown your computer. Disconnect the computer's power cord and
connect the second (destination) drive you'll be cloning to and boot up with
both drives connected.

2. Upon bootup, the Acronis main screen will display. One of the icons will
be "Disk Clone". Double-click on this icon.

3. The "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" screen will display. Click Next.

4. The "Clone Mode" dialog box will display with two options. Select the
"Automatic" option (it probably will be the default) and click Next.

5. The "Source Hard Disk" screen will display with your two drives listed.
Make *absolutely certain* that your source disk (the drive you'll be cloning
*from*) is highlighted, and thus selected. Click Next.

6. The "Destination Hard Disk" screen will display. Again, make *absolutely
certain* that your destination disk (the drive you'll be cloning to) is
highlighted (selected). Click Next.

7. Assuming your destination disk is not a "virgin" disk, i.e., it contains
data, the "Nonempty Destination Hard Disk" screen will display. Select the
"Delete partitions on the destination hard disk" option and click Next.

8. The "Hard Disk Drives Structure" screen will display reflecting the
"before and after" cloning operation. Again, make absolutely certain that
your source and destination drives are correctly indicated. Click Next.

9. The final screen before the cloning operation takes place will display
summarizing the impending process. Once again, the important thing to note
is that your source and destination drives are correctly reflected. Click
the Proceed button to begin the cloning operation.

10. Following the cloning operation, remove the bootable CD and shutdown the
computer. DO NOT REBOOT AT THIS TIME!

11. If you're working with internal hard drives, it's a good idea to verify
that the cloning operation was successful and that you now have a bootable
clone. So after shutting down the computer, disconnect its power cord, open
your case and disconnect your source disk. Power up and boot with the
destination disk to ensure that it is indeed bootable and that all is well.
THE IMPORTANT POINT IS NOT TO MAKE THIS INITIAL BOOT WITH *BOTH* DRIVES
CONNECTED.

If you're using PATA drives...
Incidentally, I'm assuming in all this that your motherboard's BIOS will
allow you to boot to the cloned drive regardless of its
position/configuration on the IDE cable. We have come across some
motherboards which will not permit a boot from any position other than
Primary Master. If so, you'll need to make the necessary
reconnects/reconfiguration for your cloned drive in that
situation in order to test that it is bootable. Presuming it is, shutdown,
remove the power cord, and reconnect your source disk (assuming that's the
drive you plan to continue to use as your day-to-day working drive). It's
probably best to disconnect the cloned disk after you've verified that the
cloning operation was successful. See the note below.

If, on the other hand, you've cloned to a USB/Firewire external hard drive,
no further action is necessary. Remember that the USB/Firewire EHD is *not*
bootable. And, of course, the external drive should ordinarily be
disconnected from the computer following the cloning operation.

Some notes about disconnecting a cloned internal drive following the cloning
operation: Both Symantec (Norton Ghost) and Acronis recommend this. Both of
their tech support have stated that with both drives connected there is a
strong possibility of file corruption and/or booting problems. Also
mentioned is the possibility of virus infestation of both drives when both
are connected as well as the possibility of electrical surges
damaging/destroying both drives while both are connected. As a general
proposition, the only time both internal drives will be simultaneously
connected following the cloning operation is when you want to re:clone the
contents of the cloned HD back to your day-to-day working HD for restoration
purposes.

And a final important note reiterating the information in step 10. above.
Following the cloning operation, shut (power) down the computer; disconnect
the source disk; and make the *initial* boot of the cloned drive while it is
the *only* drive connected at that time. If, on that initial boot *both*
drives are connected, there's a distinct possibility that the cloned drive
will not boot at a subsequent time. This is particularly so when you're
working with the WinXP operating system.

You can, of course, carry out this cloning operation using the Acronis
Windows GUI interface rather than the bootable CD. The steps are
substantially the same as described above. It's just a personal preference
of mine to work with either a bootable floppy disk (as I can with Norton
Ghost - not available in ATI) or a bootable CD.
Anna

 

[Alias]

Alias again...




Alias:
No need to spend an entire weekend. Here are some step-by-step instructions
for using the Acronis True Image bootable CD to clone the entire contents of
one HD to another HD. When you install the ATI program on your computer
you'll be given an option to create a ATI bootable CD. Do so.

These instructions apply to the ATI version 8 program. I haven't worked with
the version 9 program but I suspect the process is just about the same...

1. Ensure there are no other storage devices connected to the computer other
than the source and destination drives.

a. If both drives (source & destination) are connected, and the computer
is running, insert the Acronis bootable CD in your CD/DVD drive and restart
your computer. If you're cloning to a USB/Firewire external HD, that device
can be connected before restarting your computer.

b. If *only* your working drive (the source disk) is connected at the
time the computer is running, insert the Acronis bootable CD in your CD/DVD
device and shutdown your computer. Disconnect the computer's power cord and
connect the second (destination) drive you'll be cloning to and boot up with
both drives connected.

2. Upon bootup, the Acronis main screen will display. One of the icons will
be "Disk Clone". Double-click on this icon.

3. The "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" screen will display. Click Next.

4. The "Clone Mode" dialog box will display with two options. Select the
"Automatic" option (it probably will be the default) and click Next.

5. The "Source Hard Disk" screen will display with your two drives listed.
Make *absolutely certain* that your source disk (the drive you'll be cloning
*from*) is highlighted, and thus selected. Click Next.

6. The "Destination Hard Disk" screen will display. Again, make *absolutely
certain* that your destination disk (the drive you'll be cloning to) is
highlighted (selected). Click Next.

7. Assuming your destination disk is not a "virgin" disk, i.e., it contains
data, the "Nonempty Destination Hard Disk" screen will display. Select the
"Delete partitions on the destination hard disk" option and click Next.

8. The "Hard Disk Drives Structure" screen will display reflecting the
"before and after" cloning operation. Again, make absolutely certain that
your source and destination drives are correctly indicated. Click Next.

9. The final screen before the cloning operation takes place will display
summarizing the impending process. Once again, the important thing to note
is that your source and destination drives are correctly reflected. Click
the Proceed button to begin the cloning operation.

10. Following the cloning operation, remove the bootable CD and shutdown the
computer. DO NOT REBOOT AT THIS TIME!

11. If you're working with internal hard drives, it's a good idea to verify
that the cloning operation was successful and that you now have a bootable
clone. So after shutting down the computer, disconnect its power cord, open
your case and disconnect your source disk. Power up and boot with the
destination disk to ensure that it is indeed bootable and that all is well.
THE IMPORTANT POINT IS NOT TO MAKE THIS INITIAL BOOT WITH *BOTH* DRIVES
CONNECTED.

If you're using PATA drives...
Incidentally, I'm assuming in all this that your motherboard's BIOS will
allow you to boot to the cloned drive regardless of its
position/configuration on the IDE cable. We have come across some
motherboards which will not permit a boot from any position other than
Primary Master. If so, you'll need to make the necessary
reconnects/reconfiguration for your cloned drive in that
situation in order to test that it is bootable. Presuming it is, shutdown,
remove the power cord, and reconnect your source disk (assuming that's the
drive you plan to continue to use as your day-to-day working drive). It's
probably best to disconnect the cloned disk after you've verified that the
cloning operation was successful. See the note below.

If, on the other hand, you've cloned to a USB/Firewire external hard drive,
no further action is necessary. Remember that the USB/Firewire EHD is *not*
bootable. And, of course, the external drive should ordinarily be
disconnected from the computer following the cloning operation.

Some notes about disconnecting a cloned internal drive following the cloning
operation: Both Symantec (Norton Ghost) and Acronis recommend this. Both of
their tech support have stated that with both drives connected there is a
strong possibility of file corruption and/or booting problems. Also
mentioned is the possibility of virus infestation of both drives when both
are connected as well as the possibility of electrical surges
damaging/destroying both drives while both are connected. As a general
proposition, the only time both internal drives will be simultaneously
connected following the cloning operation is when you want to re:clone the
contents of the cloned HD back to your day-to-day working HD for restoration
purposes.

And a final important note reiterating the information in step 10. above.
Following the cloning operation, shut (power) down the computer; disconnect
the source disk; and make the *initial* boot of the cloned drive while it is
the *only* drive connected at that time. If, on that initial boot *both*
drives are connected, there's a distinct possibility that the cloned drive
will not boot at a subsequent time. This is particularly so when you're
working with the WinXP operating system.

You can, of course, carry out this cloning operation using the Acronis
Windows GUI interface rather than the bootable CD. The steps are
substantially the same as described above. It's just a personal preference
of mine to work with either a bootable floppy disk (as I can with Norton
Ghost - not available in ATI) or a bootable CD.
Anna

I was planning to download Acronis. I don't have it on a disk. Will I
need to burn a disk? Also, you mention once the clone is done, not to
reconnect the external HD to where to the image was sent. I have the USB
external drive in two partitions, one with nothing and the same size as
the partition I am using for XP and programs. I use the other partition
for data back up. Do you mean I won't be able to back up data to the
second partition once I'm done sending the image?

Thanks again for these instructions. I shall print them.

Alias

 

[Alias]

I was planning to download Acronis. I don't have it on a disk. Will I
need to burn a disk? Also, you mention once the clone is done, not to
reconnect the external HD to where to the image was sent. I have the USB
external drive in two partitions, one with nothing and the same size as
the partition I am using for XP and programs. I use the other partition
for data back up. Do you mean I won't be able to back up data to the
second partition once I'm done sending the image?

Thanks again for these instructions. I shall print them.

Alias

Oops, I didn't see this:
option to create a ATI bootable CD. Do so. <<

OK, now I think I can do it. I have a CDRW on my machine.

Alias

 

[Anna]

I was planning to download Acronis. I don't have it on a disk. Will I need
to burn a disk? Also, you mention once the clone is done, not to reconnect
the external HD to where to the image was sent. I have the USB external
drive in two partitions, one with nothing and the same size as the
partition I am using for XP and programs. I use the other partition for
data back up. Do you mean I won't be able to back up data to the second
partition once I'm done sending the image?

Thanks again for these instructions. I shall print them.

Alias

And then he adds...
Oops, I didn't see this:
OK, now I think I can do it. I have a CDRW on my machine.
Alias


Alias:
First of all, if you're cloning the contents of your internal HD to an
EXTERNAL USB/Firewire hard drive, there is no problem if you leave the
external HD connected following the cloning operation, although normally,
for security's sake, one would generally disconnect the external device
until it's needed again.

You've hit upon one problem with the Acronis program, at least with the ATI8
program - I don't know if this applies to the ATI9 version. Unlike
Symantec's Norton Ghost program, you cannot *directly* clone the contents of
one partition to another partition with the ATI program. It's an "all or
nothing" situation in that the program is designed to directly create
*disk-to-disk* clones. At least I've never been able to find a way to
*directly* clone individual partitions from one HD to another HD with the
ATI8 program.

For example, (and I assume this applies to your situation if I understand
you correctly), let's say your want to directly clone the contents of your
source disk to a destination drive (internal or external), but you want to
*directly* clone those contents of your source disk to just *one* of the
partitions you've created on your destination disk. Insofar as I'm aware,
you cannot do this with the ATI8 program. Similarly you can't *directly*
clone the contents of one partition on your source disk to another drive. I
suppose there's a workaround for all this in that you can create disk images
of individual partitions to removable media such as DVDs and then copy the
image to the destination partition. But it's not the way I work. My sole
interest is to *directly* clone the contents of one HD to another HD using a
disk imaging program. Ordinarily I'm not interested in cloning individual
partitions, but when the need arises I can use the Ghost 2003 program.
Anna

 

[Alias]

And then he adds...
Oops, I didn't see this:

OK, now I think I can do it. I have a CDRW on my machine.
Alias


Alias:
First of all, if you're cloning the contents of your internal HD to an
EXTERNAL USB/Firewire hard drive, there is no problem if you leave the
external HD connected following the cloning operation, although normally,
for security's sake, one would generally disconnect the external device
until it's needed again.

You've hit upon one problem with the Acronis program, at least with the ATI8
program - I don't know if this applies to the ATI9 version. Unlike
Symantec's Norton Ghost program, you cannot *directly* clone the contents of
one partition to another partition with the ATI program. It's an "all or
nothing" situation in that the program is designed to directly create
*disk-to-disk* clones. At least I've never been able to find a way to
*directly* clone individual partitions from one HD to another HD with the
ATI8 program.

For example, (and I assume this applies to your situation if I understand
you correctly), let's say your want to directly clone the contents of your
source disk to a destination drive (internal or external), but you want to
*directly* clone those contents of your source disk to just *one* of the
partitions you've created on your destination disk. Insofar as I'm aware,
you cannot do this with the ATI8 program. Similarly you can't *directly*
clone the contents of one partition on your source disk to another drive. I
suppose there's a workaround for all this in that you can create disk images
of individual partitions to removable media such as DVDs and then copy the
image to the destination partition. But it's not the way I work. My sole
interest is to *directly* clone the contents of one HD to another HD using a
disk imaging program. Ordinarily I'm not interested in cloning individual
partitions, but when the need arises I can use the Ghost 2003 program.
Anna

So, I would have to clone the entire HD to the entire external HD? Hmmm,
I have three partitions on my source HD and two on my external HD. Would
I have to format the external drive first, then? Can I add to the data
back up after cloning? I think I will peruse the manual about cloning a
partition, not the entire drive before I proceed. Also, they internal
drive is 40 gigs and the external one is 80 gigs. Would that present a
problem?

Alias

 

[Anna]

So, I would have to clone the entire HD to the entire external HD? Hmmm, I
have three partitions on my source HD and two on my external HD. Would I
have to format the external drive first, then? Can I add to the data back
up after cloning? I think I will peruse the manual about cloning a
partition, not the entire drive before I proceed. Also, they internal
drive is 40 gigs and the external one is 80 gigs. Would that present a
problem?
Alias

Alias:
Does it really matter that your external HD (the ultimate "destination"
drive) currently has two partitions while your source disk contains three
partitions? When you clone the contents of the source disk to the
destination disk it will simply overwrite the two partitions on the
destination drive and create its three partitions with its data contents
within those three partitions. Please understand that the destination disk
will be a "clone" of the source disk, for all practical purposes a
bit-for-bit copy of your source disk.

If, on the other hand, for some reason you want to retain a separate
partition on your destination disk where you do *not* want any of the cloned
contents of your source disk to reside, then (AFAIK) the Acronis program
would not be suitable for your needs, at least in terms of the *direct*
cloning process we've been discussing. The Ghost 2003 program, as I
previously mentioned, would be the program to employ in that situation since
it has the ability to *directly* clone individual partitions. Frankly, in my
opinion, it might be more practical for you to use another external (or
even, internal) HD for your purposes if you had need for some separate
partition(s).

You need not partition/format your destination drive prior to the cloning
operation as long as you understand that the destination disk will be a
clone of your source disk.

You can add data to the destination drive following the cloning operation.
But, of course, it will no longer be a "clone" of your source disk. I'm not
sure why you would want to do this but it can be done as long as you
understand that it's no longer a clone of your source disk if you modify its
contents. Presumably that should not be a problem in the event you had to
clone the contents of the destination drive back to your source drive should
the need arise for restoration purposes.

The different capacities of the drives involved is of no import as long as
the destination drive has sufficient capacity to hold the contents of the
data being cloned from the source disk. Let's say, for example, that your
source disk is a 120 GB drive and contains 70 GB of data. There would be no
problem cloning the contents of that drive to an 80 GB drive.
Anna

 

[Alias]

Alias:
Does it really matter that your external HD (the ultimate "destination"
drive) currently has two partitions while your source disk contains three
partitions? When you clone the contents of the source disk to the
destination disk it will simply overwrite the two partitions on the
destination drive and create its three partitions with its data contents
within those three partitions. Please understand that the destination disk
will be a "clone" of the source disk, for all practical purposes a
bit-for-bit copy of your source disk.

But cloning 40 gigs to an 80 gig HD wouldn't leave the 80 gig with some
extra space? Would it end up with 4 partitions, three that it cloned and
another for the remaining 40 gigs?

If, on the other hand, for some reason you want to retain a separate
partition on your destination disk where you do *not* want any of the cloned
contents of your source disk to reside, then (AFAIK) the Acronis program
would not be suitable for your needs, at least in terms of the *direct*
cloning process we've been discussing. The Ghost 2003 program, as I
previously mentioned, would be the program to employ in that situation since
it has the ability to *directly* clone individual partitions. Frankly, in my
opinion, it might be more practical for you to use another external (or
even, internal) HD for your purposes if you had need for some separate
partition(s).

No need for the separate partitions. If I were to do it again, I would
have two partitions, one for XP and programs and the other for data.

You need not partition/format your destination drive prior to the cloning
operation as long as you understand that the destination disk will be a
clone of your source disk.

You can add data to the destination drive following the cloning operation.
But, of course, it will no longer be a "clone" of your source disk. I'm not
sure why you would want to do this but it can be done as long as you
understand that it's no longer a clone of your source disk if you modify its
contents. Presumably that should not be a problem in the event you had to
clone the contents of the destination drive back to your source drive should
the need arise for restoration purposes.

I just figure that a word file, for example, that I create on the source
HD would take less time to back up to the other drive than a complete
reclone.

The different capacities of the drives involved is of no import as long as
the destination drive has sufficient capacity to hold the contents of the
data being cloned from the source disk. Let's say, for example, that your
source disk is a 120 GB drive and contains 70 GB of data. There would be no
problem cloning the contents of that drive to an 80 GB drive.
Anna

See my question above. The source drive is half the size of the clone drive.

Alias

 

[Haggis]

have read :>


http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=376963

 

[Alias]

have read :>


http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=376963

Think I am going to invest in a 40 gig HD and hook it up as a slave,
clone the drive, test the new image, take the slave out and continue
backing up data to the external drive. I'm only looking to have XP set
up the way it is now, not making back ups of data.

Thanks to both you and Anna for explaining how to use Acronis with a
concise and excellent explanation.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Think I am going to invest in a 40 gig HD and hook it up as a slave,
clone the drive, test the new image, take the slave out and continue
backing up data to the external drive. I'm only looking to have XP set
up the way it is now, not making back ups of data.

Thanks to both you and Anna for explaining how to use Acronis with a
concise and excellent explanation.

Alias

Should I format the new HD with one partition and let Acronis make the
three or do I even have to format it first?

Alias

 

[Anna]

Alias:
Does it really matter that your external HD (the ultimate "destination"
drive) currently has two partitions while your source disk contains three
partitions? When you clone the contents of the source disk to the
destination disk it will simply overwrite the two partitions on the
destination drive and create its three partitions with its data contents
within those three partitions. Please understand that the destination disk
will be a "clone" of the source disk, for all practical purposes a
bit-for-bit copy of your source disk.

If, on the other hand, for some reason you want to retain a separate
partition on your destination disk where you do *not* want any of the
cloned contents of your source disk to reside, then (AFAIK) the Acronis
program would not be suitable for your needs, at least in terms of the
*direct* cloning process we've been discussing. The Ghost 2003 program, as
I previously mentioned, would be the program to employ in that situation
since it has the ability to *directly* clone individual partitions.
Frankly, in my opinion, it might be more practical for you to use another
external (or even, internal) HD for your purposes if you had need for some
separate partition(s).

You need not partition/format your destination drive prior to the cloning
operation as long as you understand that the destination disk will be a
clone of your source disk.

You can add data to the destination drive following the cloning operation.
But, of course, it will no longer be a "clone" of your source disk. I'm
not sure why you would want to do this but it can be done as long as you
understand that it's no longer a clone of your source disk if you modify
its contents. Presumably that should not be a problem in the event you had
to clone the contents of the destination drive back to your source drive
should the need arise for restoration purposes.

The different capacities of the drives involved is of no import as long as
the destination drive has sufficient capacity to hold the contents of the
data being cloned from the source disk. Let's say, for example, that your
source disk is a 120 GB drive and contains 70 GB of data. There would be
no problem cloning the contents of that drive to an 80 GB drive.
Anna

Alias responds...
I just figure that a word file, for example, that I create on the source
HD would take less time to back up to the other drive than a complete
reclone.

Yes, there's nothing wrong in that. Usually, unless the files we want to
backup following a cloning operation are huge, we back them up to a jump
drive until the next cloning operation. But you are perfectly free to do
what you suggest.

And Alias further adds...

The source drive is half the size of the clone drive.

Are you asking whether this would be a problem? If so, there's no problem
here. Should you be cloning the contents of a multi-partitioned drive, the
cloning operation will adjust the size of the destination partitions in
roughly the same ratio as the source disk. So, for example, if the source
disk was an 80 GB drive that had two partitions of 50 GB & 30 GB and you
were cloning the contents of that drive to a destination disk of 160 GB,
then the resulting partitions on the destination disk following the cloning
operation would be (roughly) 100 GB & 60 GB (if my math is right! Math is
not my strong suit, I'm afraid).
Anna

 

[Windows XP user]

Windows won't let you copy itself to a different partition because
a number of its files are open and therefore locked. There are
several options to do what you want to do:
- Use an imaging program (Acronis, DriveImage)
- Use the disk manufacturer's cloning program
- Temporarily install both disks as secondary master/slave
disks in some other WinXP/2000 PC, then use xcopy.exe
with the appropriate switches to copy all files, including
hidden and system files.
- Boot the machine with a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com),
the use xcopy.exe as before.

Post again if you need further details on any of these options.

Hi there again,

The Acronis software worked like a charm so since I have the demo version
(only allows me up to 15-days) so I will get the full version ASAP.

The manual is really quite good to use as I printed only Chapter 7 for
transferring the system to a new disk, followed their instructions and it
worked.

The only small problem the manual did not have and that was that you do not
need a formatted partitioned drive ready but an non partitioned and non
formatted drive so that Acronis can make the partitions itself. The manual
also did not go into details if you wanted the partitions a certain way but
I managed to figured it out.

The software is quite easy to use.

Kindest regards