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Thread ID: 93612 2008-09-24 21:00:00 Xp,Backup all files to new Drive Ockerr (1960) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
707556 2008-09-24 21:00:00 Hi Guys
I have a Computer with XpPro installed, The hard drive is a bit small only 40gig. I want to replace it with a larger Drive. So I need to Transfer my whole operating system and Files to the New Drive by just transferring all files so I can just make it my C: Drive and boot from it. Will I need to do it Via Dos? is there a program That will Copy all system Files and make a exact duplicate? What is the best way to go about it?

Cheers and Thanks
Ockerr (1960)
707557 2008-09-24 21:19:00 You could leave it and use the new one for data only.
Or use an imaging program - Ghost, Acronis, Paragon, one of those to image it to the new one.
pctek (84)
707558 2008-09-24 23:37:00 CloneZillas a good free alternative-doesn't have a GUI though.. Blam (54)
707559 2008-09-25 08:16:00 Acronis works well, I did my boys one but used the boot CD version instaed of doing it through windows went quicker gary67 (56)
707560 2008-09-25 08:56:00 Don't forget some hard drive manufacturer's offer a free data transfer program. Jen (38)
707561 2008-09-25 23:33:00 Don't forget some hard drive manufacturer's offer a free data transfer program.

I recenty upgraded my laptop hard drive and segate offers their DiscWizard software (provided you have a seagate or maxtor drive in your system somewhere) I used their wizard to create a bootable CD and shut down, put the new segate hard drive in and put the old one into a USB case, booted off the CD and followed the wizard to transfer the system from the USB drive to the newly installed drive. (just do a search on http://www.seagate.com to find the software)

Another option if you have free drive spaces in your system (is it a desktop or laptop?) would be just to add a second drive and move some folders to the new drive so your OS stays on C: and some of the other programs go onto your D: (or whatever) drive. Windows XP with NTFS supports "directory junctions" so you can even move installed programs without them breaking ( technet.microsoft.com )

I had installed any games under the C:\Games folder, so I moved it to D:\Games and then ran (from a command prompt):
junction D:\Games C:\Games
which creates a directory link so C:\Games looks just like a folder (but it actually points to D:\Games) and the programs still think they are in C:\Games

I know using junctions can be a bit more difficult to use for non-techies but they are very very useful and I use them all a lot (junctions rock :punk lol)
markjonesnz (12880)
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