New HDD

So I want to install a larger HDD on my notebook.

How do I get what's on my HDD now onto the new one?

 

put it in an enclosure

 

Soo install new HDD, load OS onto it, then just hook up old HDD in enclosure to lappy and that's it?

 

Pretty much, yeah. Another option would be to image the old disk and transfer it to the new disk. Not sure if this would work though.

 

if hes got a ton of programs /documents he wants to copy it would take several dvds to image it

 

DVD's are cheaper than the time required to reinstall everything... if you have as many programs as I do.

 

Step 1: Check your existing HDD to find out the interface type (PATA or SATA)

Step 2: Buy a compatible HDD plus a suitable USB enclosure

Step 3: Go to Acronis and download the trial version of TrueImage. Install and create the recovery CD.

Step 4: Put the new HDD into the enclosure and connect to the computer

Step 5: Boot the computer using the Acronis CD and then select the Clone option

Step 6: Clone the old HDD onto the new one

Step 7: Take the old HDD out of the computer and replace with the new one from the enclosure

Step 8: Boot the computer. Everything should be as it was except for more free space.

The enclosure can then be the permanent home for the old HDD which you can uses for backups.

John

 

My windows partitions (where my OS and programs are installed to) takes up about...38GBs give or take.

 

Yeah, this is what I was looking for. Thx. Rep for everyone...

 

I just did the same thing... tried both ways.

This is a bit simpler... download free discwizard from seagate
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=d9fd4a3cdde5c010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

Connect your New drive via external USB.

And run the program.... choose clone and give it two or so hours. (no boot cd needed)

OH BTW if you have a DUAL BOOT (xp/vista..like me).... give me a PM... you'll run into some issues. I got a fix for.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

 

I find the bootable CD approach to be more robust. Also, Acronis TrueImage 11 will definitely handle cloning dual boot Vista / XP - I did one two days ago.

John

 

I'll probably try both just for the heck of it and let you guys know which I found easier.

Stay tuned...

 

I used ACRONIS True Image Home v11.0 Build 60

Xp boots up fine... but vista boots up to the login screen only it will not fullyllogin to the desktop. I had to compmgmt.msc and change the vista drive letter.

http://www.multibooters.co.uk/cloning.html#letters

 

I have Vista as C: and XP as D: What is your configuration?

John

 

So I finally bought a new HDD and will be installing today. I just had another question

Since my HDD is partitioned right now, how will the space be partitioned on the new larger HDD? Will it just be a matter of percentages?

 

Yes it will use percentages if you are using Acronis. I think it will also give you the opportunity to change it if you want that (as far as I can remember).

 

The size of your old partition shud just have expanded to fill your newer hd (in my experience of cloning software although i did not use acronis). As philflow said, there will probably be some kind of partitioning screen.....

 

OK, thanks guys

 

Just remember that some drivers might act up. I had issues with Wifi drivers when i did this.

 

So you're saying I may have to reinstall some drivers?

 

All I'm saying is be prepared for driver issues.

I had some weird wifi problems when I did this last fall; I sent my laptop in for service and I got back the exact same laptop, so it shouldn't have happened. I may have done something wrong, I don't know. Just thought to warn you what may happen.

 

as long as your hardware stays the same i really wouldn't be too worried.

 

That's what I thought. I even had the same HDD. A no go.

 

Depending on the type of computer you have, for example, Dell has their own way or partitioning with Mediadirect partition, hidden recovery partition, etc.

When converting with Acronis or any type of cloning program, it causes some differences in the sense that certain symbols in sectors that are 0 are changed to % symbols, which arn't immediately noticable, but they do screw up running your laptop.

Thats why its better to just start fresh if you get a new hard drive in those cases as you'd have to go through the horribly annoying process of having to change all those % signs back to 0's, etc.

 

I've never had any problems replacing my harddisks while using Acronis.

It copies everything, including hidden partitions and boot sector.

 

Like I said, most of the time it is unnoticable, but certain times if you get an error while trying to run a program, or performing some particular function, it will be because of that.

 

I'll just go with the Acronis cloning. I'm not worried. Worst comes to happen i'll just back up and reformat

 

Yeah, backing up is key.

 

Yeah and I'm saying I've never had anything like that with Acronis True Image.

I'm not meaning to discredit your experience Forte, but I want to let people know I am extremely happy with Acronis. It's 100% reliable for me.

 

If either or both of your new and old harddisks are Seagate, you can download and use the Seagate Discwizard. It is actually based on Acronis and works wonderfully in cloning the old to the new one. I have used it with 3 desktops and 2 laptops it worked wonderfully everytime.

 

Alright so i'm just starting this entire process.

I've installed the new HDD into the external closure. When I hook it to my usb I don't see it in My Computer...

 

Any CDs or drivers that came with your enclosure? Or an AC adapter required?

 

Actually I got it. No worries.

 

This process assumes the user has access to a writable CD or DVD drive. If the user does not have such a device available, is there an alternative process that anyone has used successfully?

Craig.

 

This! Eh. I tried cloning a 100GB drive to a 500GB drive with every set of cloning software I could get. TrueImage and Clonezilla got the most attempts. I found out that vista doesn't like to be cloned and you can expect to have issues with the drive letters being wrong and thus refusing to boot up. Also some laptop makers have different partitions, in this case Lenovo's Thinkpads. The hidden partition is sometimes suggested not to be moved over and other models it is claimed to be required. I’m just going to use the recovery DVDs when I get a chance and enjoy a freshly installed copy of vista… XP. I’m not sure I’m keeping Vista actually since switching would let me run the software I actually want to run.

P.S. Sorry to derail; but, if I do use factory recovery DVDs, what’s the best way to go about activation? Does it deal with activation itself, do I use that program that copy’s a file to a USB key to keep the OEM activation, or do I use the one at the bottom of the laptop that you have to call in for every time?