Clone a hard drive

hm - ok could I possibly just delete one partition and merge the unallocated disk space with the other one?
 
Ok let me clarify - it has XP already installed on one 80gb partition, and 420gb partition allocated to Vista. If I reformat one partition, can I merge it with the C drive, or even just use them together? I suppose that won't be a problem hey. Sounds like a plan.
 
cerebus said:
Ok let me clarify - it has XP already installed on one 80gb partition, and 420gb partition allocated to Vista. If I reformat one partition, can I merge it with the C drive, or even just use them together? I suppose that won't be a problem hey. Sounds like a plan.
Click to expand...

Ja, but be very careful... make sure you delete the correct partition and that you double-check everything you do before you make it permanent! :p

Me, If I have a spare partition I just format it as is and use it as a spare drive. Rather than messing with my main partition. When it is time for me to do annual clean-up then I repartition the entire disk. Don't take unnecessary chances.
 
just use Ghost to clone the drive (works perfectly most of the time)

But like GDiza said, u will get a BSOD if the hardware is different. (Major downside of xp and its successors)
 
Ok I formatted the partition and shrank it, seems to have worked. Only problem is on the startup screen it wants to go into Vista - but that's a small issue. Thanks for the help.
 
Dohc-WP said:
just use Ghost to clone the drive (works perfectly most of the time)

But like GDiza said, u will get a BSOD if the hardware is different. (Major downside of xp and its successors)
Click to expand...

Agreed, I use ghost. I never had major issues. I prefer Ghost 2003 as it also transfers my drive based engineering licenses hidden on drive without any problems.

Nowadays I use Ghost32 for normal Desktop cloning on Mini PE-XT boot recovery/repair CD (miniXP). :D

To prevent BSOD I boot with drive in normal working motherboard if possible.
Make a clone of the drive. Old one remains as backup. I reboot from the clone to make sure it works.
In System, I remove the GPU drivers (Or change to Standard VGA)
Remove all hardware specific drivers
Remove USB drivers, etc

I then Shut down normally and then upgrade/change the hardware and motherboard. Do not let the PC reboot normally again. Once it came up with BSOD on restart, the whole sequence must be repeated making sure all non-standard drivers in System is deleted.

I then reboot in VGA mode. Other non standard "New" hardware would be "found", requesting to search for drivers. Cancel all of them at this stage. Install all new MB chipset drivers. Reboot again in VGA mode and then install GPU drivers. Reboot as normal on new GPU and then install all other drivers as "Found"
 
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