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? asked in Computers & InternetHardwareDesktops · 1 decade ago

Copying OS and all files to new HDD?

Ok,here we go.I've just upgraded my motherboard,memory,graphics and psu.The old hdd (original that came with my machine) is only 80Gb which holds the os (Vista Ultimate x64) and myriad of games and other software.I bought a new Wester Digital 500Gb hdd and copied all the files through vistas full system backup option.I had to name this new hdd drive B: because everything from C: to L: is already taken.I have changed the boot sequence through bios but I'm at a loss as to how to rename the new hdd as Local Disk C:.The other problem is that the old drive has the windows boot directories and it's a PATA connection along with my optical DVD burner as a slave drive,whereas the new drive uses SATA II.Will I have to re install the os after dismounting the old drive and copy all my backups to the new drive and how to change the drive name to Loacl Disk C:.I'm hoping there is an easier way.

P.S. All system files are also backed up to an external USB HDD once a week.

Thanks

Update:

I did a clean install on the new drive via the windows dvd and then copied all the backed up files to it but it still says it is drive B:\ ???.WTF?.Sorry just getting a little bit annoyed.I.ve even tried dismounting the old drive and safely remove hardware options but then I get the error NO LOCAL DISK C: FOUND.Although drive B: boots up fine but as you say all programs look for C:

3 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Unfortunately you have to properly install windows on your new disk first, if that's where you want it. I won't work if you just copy the windows files on to it. You will most likely need to format the disk before installing windows on it to make sure it installs properly. Once that's done you can copy all of the information you want to keep from your old disk.

    To format your new disk and install windows, you will probably need to boot your computer from your windows cd if you have one.

    After installing vista on the new disc, if you load vista from that disc it will call itself C: and the other drives will get new letters. You can't change the drive letter to C: at the moment because all the software on your pc at the moment needs to find information on your old hard disk, and they will all look for that at C:

    Hope that all makes sense!

    Thought I should add, with all that new hardware you should really make a fresh installation of windows anyway, particularly with a new motherboard. It's not essential, but probably advisable.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    employing Nero?, nevertheless were given the CD? should be able to make an instantaneous reproduction of the CD to a sparkling CD. Else pick Datacd, pick the archives(same as what replaced into on the origanal CD and Burn to the CD, precisely the way it would were had it were the authentic XP CD & it would artwork.

  • Sam
    1 decade ago

    Buy Norton Ghost, you can then clone your hard drive contents. It costs some money but I am sure you could also find a free/open source alternative.

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