Whats the best way to copy an entire hard drive?

It's incredible how many people are just not understanding this question...

If you're only dealing with data that you need to backup, you'll be just fine to drag and drop the folders (even if it's a lot of data) to the new hard drive. If you can't use windows, use puppylinux, it's free and designed to make working with windows hard drives as easy as possible (for linux, anyways).

If you're trying to preserve the operating system and move that to a new drive, ghost is going to be your best bet, but I think it's pay-for software.

You can try some imaging software such as ImgBurn and just make an image from the root of the drive, but I can't guarentee that'll work, so make the copy and see if it works before formatting/tossing the old drive.

Are your Operating System and programs installed on this drive or is it just data?

If it's just data I'd recommend you get a caddy for it and slave it to your new PC and just copy files that way. If you're not sure what a caddy is or how to slave a drive see this link (scroll to the title near the bottom "Slaving Your Hard Drive" - http://myslowpc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5

Otherwise if it's your Operating System (OS) and programs, I'd still recommend the above step for data and a fresh install for your OS. It's a good idea to rebuild every now and then, with the latest hotfixes, programs etc. But in order to do this do you have all of your installation media?

If you really need to clone Ghost can be good, or perhaps try Acronis TrueImage - http://www.acronis.co.uk/

Good luck!

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

Whats the best way to copy an entire hard drive?

I have to replace one of my Hard Drives. I have a lot of information on this drive and I have to copy it exactly to a new much larger drive. I need to make a copy and not sure the best, easiest way to do this. I have heard that Norton "GHOST" can do this but not sure how. Any Help would...

Depends.

If you want to copy your ENTIRE hard drive (including Windows installation)

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=4... [read this first]

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/53777

Don't be intimidated by Command Prompt, just follow the step-by-step instructions.

If you want to copy documents, programs, pictures, videos (i.e. everything but Windows installation files).

Many ways to go about this. Easiest is probably...

1) Make sure both hard drives are plugged in

2) Install OS (Windows, don't have experience in other OSs)

3) Go in Safe Mode

4) OS should detect both drives.

5) Set Permissions for old drive

Thats about it, if you need anything else don't hesitate!

Image your hard drive. This is simply creating a bit for bit exact image copy of your hard drive on one file. What you need first is an external hard drive with more room on it than the image size will be. For example to image a 100 GB hard drive you will need at least 50 to 70 GB external hard drive. Now you create an image using a image creating piece of software that will allow you to write an image file over 8 GB in size. One free one that will do this is called WinHex. It is basically a hexeditor, but it has a feature in it so that you can create a large image file...perfect for hard drives. YOu can download WinHex on the internet..do a search for it. Now image your hard disk..it takes about 1 minute per GB to image it. Now hook up your new hard disk to the computer and restore that image to it with WinHex...it has a restore image feature on it too :)

That is the way that I do this stuff.

You do not say if it is your main drive or what.

All PCs from the motherboard are allow 4 drives, normaly you hook the hardrives to first chanel master1 and slave1 them conecct to DVD burners as Master2,Slave2.

The software that came with you new drive can clone any drive, but you has to put the new one behind the same chain, you can read the tutorial in the CD that came with it before format or even install the drive.

This has it's advantages, especially on a complete failure. Backups also have an advantage, because they can be made to a disc regularly in case some malware infects your computer. Having both is nice.

I have some questions before I can give an accurate answer.

Is an operating system installed on this drive? ie...windows

If so is it still in use in your computer?

Well

You can get Winhex for free from this link http://bit.ly/1k3xrza

Give it a try.

Bye

you could use both hard drives on one computer, or hook them both up and put all the files on the new drive