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Thread ID: 131120 2013-04-27 05:19:00 Best way to clone HDD The Error Guy (14052) Press F1
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1338474 2013-04-27 05:19:00 I have been running Win8 on a spare 120GB HDD for a while now, and since its all compatible I have made the "full" switch.

I have cleaned all unwanted data off my 600gb drive, leaving behind about ~200GB of useful data, now I want to migrate the install of Win8 from the current 120GB HDD to the 600GB one and I was wondering what is the best way to do it. The main problem is I can't just "clone" the HDD because that will erase the data that I want to keep on the 600GB drive. Is there a non destructive way to clone data from HDD A to HDD B that will enable to me boot + keep the current data.

I think just copying the contents of the drive then using the likes of easyBCD to make the drive bootable would work? or is there and easier/better way.

Thanks

TEG
The Error Guy (14052)
1338475 2013-04-27 07:38:00 What you can do, is split the 600GB drive into two partitions, making a New Partition at the beginning of the drive, then using Active@Disk Image --- the option Copy Disk to Disk ( NOT Clone Disk) select the original Windows 8 partition, (there will be a system reserved as well which wont be copied) Once you select the current Windows 8 Partition, then on the destination Drive select the New empty partition, clone it across.


Turn off the computer and disconnect the original Windows 8 Drive.

Because you don't cone the System Reserved, the cloned Windows 8 wont boot. To fix that Boot the PC from a Windows 8 repair CD, repair the start up files, once that's done the windows 8 should boot, leaving all the original data on the second partition alone.

This works as I have just tried it to make sure :)

Note: the attempting repairs may take a while depending on the Computers specs.
wainuitech (129)
1338476 2013-04-27 11:06:00 You really should have a backup of your data before you try, just in case. Agent_24 (57)
1338477 2013-04-27 12:13:00 You really should have a backup of your data before you try, just in case. totally agree, one things sure, if the prick murphy is about things will turn to you know what ;) wainuitech (129)
1338478 2013-04-28 01:32:00 Just spent a few hours (overnight) recovering files

Note to self - don't drink and compute :D

I'll split the partition and copy over now. Let you all know how it goes with a sober mind.
The Error Guy (14052)
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