How to move all data including OS?

Lasher13 · September 20th, 2009, 04:23 AM

I need to move all my data and my OS over to a new hard-drive on the same PC. How is this done? Or is it even possible to do this? My original hard drive is giving me problems and I fear that it may be nearing death. I've backed up all my data previously, but I just have the feeling I missed somethings and don't want to try to avoid reinstalling the OS at all costs, if possible.

Original Harddrive: SATA 320 GB Seagate Baracuda
New Hard-Drve: Sata 320 GB Western Digital
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit

I know its possible to move my data, but what about the OS? How can I move it so everything will be normal?

curtis0432 · September 20th, 2009, 04:31 AM

Im preety sure you cant move all the data and including the operating system but you can always try installing Windows vista on the new hard disk and then transfer your files to the new hard disk. I'm thinking that would be the easiest unless you want to try and back-up your stuff again.

Ya you will be able to move all your data to the new disk after you install Windows on the the new hard disk.

Lasher13 · September 20th, 2009, 04:35 AM

Hmm... that sounds like the easiest way for me to do it, it should definately work if I do it that way. I think thats how I will do it. Thanks for the speedy answer.

Aaron_8015 · September 20th, 2009, 05:01 AM

Easiest way is to clone the drive onto the other one...... I have done this a couple of times using acronis true image (free version).

Cajunheat · September 20th, 2009, 11:01 AM

Lasher, Aaron has gave excellent advice. What you want to do is not only doable but, fairly simple. Get a cloning\ghosting program, free or paid there are several out there including the one that Aaron mentioned.

KarmaKiller · September 20th, 2009, 11:59 AM

Yup, imaging your drive is the easiest way by far. It'll move everything, even your OS settings with the new install.

curtis0432 · September 20th, 2009, 02:41 PM

HMM. thats cool I guess I learned something today.

thats cool. I never new you were able to clown your hard disk. Ya thats definitely much easier than my method.

railfrog · September 20th, 2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_8015

Easiest way is to clone the drive onto the other one...... I have done this a couple of times using acronis true image (free version).

Sorry to bust in on this thread, but do the hard drives need to be the same size to do this?

Aaron_8015 · September 20th, 2009, 03:02 PM

No... I cloned from my 320GB seagate to my 138GB raptor Raid0 array. Obviously you just need to make sure you are taking up too much space or the image will not fit.

Cajunheat · September 20th, 2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_8015

No... I cloned from my 320GB seagate to my 138GB raptor Raid0 array. Obviously you just need to make sure you are taking up too much space or the image will not fit.

Just to clarify a little here the size of the image must fit the drive. You can't clone 500 GB's worth of data on a 300 GB drive, it just won't all fit.