New Hard Drive

[RVFmal]

Just bought a bigger hard drive and want to transfer the entire operating system, installed programs and files across to it without having to do a clean install of everything. Just take the lot and copy it across to the new drive which will serve as the main drive (removing the old one).

Is this possible and what software (preferably open source) can I use to facilitate this?

 

[mercurial]

It's best to do fresh installs of any software. Not all software can be copied across and work. Some of it installs files to other system directories, and not just the directory it resides in, so those will not work once you try and run them. You can try Acronis or Norton Ghost. I'm sure GaryVDH has some freeware on it. Goodluck.

 

[Chewy]

I would use Norton Ghost as it has a cloning option.

Can also have a look at this website, got some free tools, but I dunno how well they work.

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/09/05/5-free-apps-to-clone-your-hard-drive/

Good luck

 

[APoc184]

I used the trial version of Acronis true image. Worked 100% and very easy.
But like Merc said. Clean install is always better.

 

[kayvee]

I am about to do the same on an oldish laptop and was planning to use this to do it.

The drive in question has some non standard partitioning and I am told this worked a treat.

Obviously no direct experience at this point in time.

And it's freeware.

 

[zamicro]

Google for Hiren's Boot CD. It will contain all the software you need. About 100mb download though.

 

[Mars]

what kind of drive is it?

If its a seagate they have an app that will transfer everything (including os) to the new drive.. go to the website

 

[RVFmal]

Thanks for the posts and resources

Unfortunately not Seagate - Samsung......

Will have a look at all the options. ~hopes for not having to do clean install....~

 

[mercurial]

Thanks for the posts and resources

Unfortunately not Seagate - Samsung......

Will have a look at all the options. ~hopes for not having to do clean install....~

I basically have all my apps that I need sitting on a separate hard drive, along with my files, so that when I have completed a fresh install, I just browse to that folder and install everything I need. I do a few immediately and a few the next day. It's not too bad. I usually just install the important stuff first. It beats having them on separate DVDs and copying them all back to the PC everytime a fresh install is needed.