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    HDD Upgrade - what is best program to clone old HDD?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by wm_cheng, Mar 9, 2006.

  1. wm_cheng

    wm_cheng Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    What is the best program to clone a notebook HDD in preparation to upgrade to a larger capacity notebook HDD. Most programs out there wants the two drives to be connected to a PC IDE ports - but you can't do that on a notebook. I know I can take both the old and new drive and connected it to a PC's IDE ports, but I've got to get IDE to mini-IDE adaptors for both my notebook drives. Is there a program or process where I can just put the new drive in an USB drive enclosure and connected it up to my notebook (running the old drive) and clone the currently running drive to the new drive inside the USB enclosure. Then I just swap the drives and I should be good to go?

    Thanks,
    Wm
     
    wm_cheng, Mar 9, 2006
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  2. arevee

    arevee Notebook Evangelist

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    arevee, Mar 9, 2006
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  3. wm_cheng

    wm_cheng Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, I'll take a look at it (although I'm not sure if it supports USB connected drives - and formatting)
     
    wm_cheng, Mar 9, 2006
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  4. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

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    Norton Ghost probably can do it.
     
    dr_st, Mar 10, 2006
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  5. wm_cheng

    wm_cheng Notebook Enthusiast

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    But can it copy and make an active partition (resized to the newer larger HDD) on a drive that is connected to the laptop via USB?

    Most of these programs require one to connect the two drives via a PC's IDE as master & slave to format, partition and transfer. They can backup or archive to a USB storage device, but that's different than creating an active bootable partition.

    I find it hard to believe that no-one has upgraded their laptop's hard drive without having to re-install everything. I would normally re-install everything to clear out the cobwebs - but I'm working with the laptop right now and can't afford the downtime.
     
    wm_cheng, Mar 10, 2006
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  6. arevee

    arevee Notebook Evangelist

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    i back-up to my external hard drive thru' USB using Drive Image XML. I 've never really had a chance to use the backups to restore the laptop till now.
     
    arevee, Mar 10, 2006
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  7. jdt05

    jdt05 Notebook Enthusiast

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    A very good one is Acronis True Image.

    Does everything on terms of backup that you'll ever need. Very intuitive.
     
    jdt05, Mar 11, 2006
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  8. isvara_pranidhana

    isvara_pranidhana Notebook Consultant

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    i've been looking for the same thing and came across this:

    Apricorn EZ Upgrade Universal Notebook Hard Drive upgrade kit

    http://www.apricorn.com

    trouble is, the tomshardware.com review is old/dated and i've yet to get any feedback in the 'aftermarket upgrade' forum (sorry for the cross-post mod :) )

    it looks like a great upgrade tool (USB) as well as an external backup/storage solution for the old drive. it includes the hardware, the external enclosure and the software. priced at around $49.00

    i'll look at the others posted in this thread. thanks!
     
    isvara_pranidhana, Mar 11, 2006
    #8