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Cloning laptop drive to replacement larger drive

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by PeteC, 2008/05/29.

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  1. 2008/05/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    I intend to replace my existing laptop drive - 60 Gb with a larger one - 250 Gb and would prefer not to go through the hassle of a complete reinstall on the new drive.

    I have a set of Recovery DVD's made when the laptop (HP Compaq nx6310) was new, but wonder if these are tied into the original hardware and would not restore to a larger drive.

    I have and use Acronis on the desktop, but the EULA allows for installation 1 PC only and aside of that only one hard drive can be installed in the laptop so the 'conventional' methods do not apply. If I could load Acronis on the laptop I guess I could image to an external drive and restore to the new drive from there.

    Any advice/guidance welcome - I have no experience of cloning at all :)
     
    PeteC,
    #1
  2. 2008/05/29
    Rockster2U

    Rockster2U Geek Member

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    Pete:

    I just went through this myself with my laptop albeit not quite as large a drive. I like Acronis, but its not real well suited for this compared to Ghost. My choice (and it went without a hitch) was to use Norton Ghost circa 2003 on a floppy to create an image on DVD's. I then switched hard drives and booted to the same Ghost floppy and restored the image on the new HDD.

    Let me know if you need a Casper locator.

    ;)
     
    Rockster2U,
    #2


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  4. 2008/05/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Rockster

    Thanks for the info - you have reminded me that I have a copy of Ghost - 9 I think, tucked away somewhere which I dumped in favour of Acronis, so I'll try that.

    Visiting the States in September on a photographic trip (Colorado Rockies) and rather than spend £400 plus on an 80 GB Canon portable storage viewer £50 on a new hard drive for the laptop and lug that along seems a better option :) Then I can have the new lens I have my eye on :D
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2008/05/29
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Hi Pete

    The only thing changing is the HD (Brand/Model?) and size. Windows can handle this with out install/repair install.

    If you are not in a great hurry I would get one of these!

    http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=AA51890&CartID=done&nextloc=

    Will allow you to hook any drive sata or ide 2.5 to 3.5 to any computer that has USB.

    Good price and will be handy later on other drives or even now to save data to the old 2.5 if you want.

    There are many programs that can back it up or image but I like DriveImage XML.

    Then you can easily use free DriveImage XML copy 1 drive to another
    http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm

    I have used this program for years and it is very good. Uses File Locking and/or VSS (Volume Shadow Copy) to copy while windows in running.

    Do the copy, switch drives test, if problem put old drive back in no change. But you will have no problem.

    I keep one of these and a USB ethernet adapter in my briefcase along with my many ERD boot CD's!

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
    #4
  6. 2008/05/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Mike

    Thanks for that - I had overlooked the possibility of using an adaptor. Seems to be the simple way out.

    I'll see if I can locate one this side of the pond.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2008/05/29
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Seagate has a free/rebagged version of Acronis. Not certain, but it might only work if the old or new drive is Seagate.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #6
  8. 2008/05/29
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    I have used XXCLONE, an excellent freebie, with great results.

    I have also used Ghost and Acronis True Image. Either will work but why buy when you can get for free?

    The adapter would be needed of course.
     
    surferdude2,
    #7
  9. 2008/05/29
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the advice, guys .....

    Hard drive and adaptor in transit and will use either XXCLONE or DriveImage XML to clone across.

    Steve - old drive is Hitachi, new drive is WD, but will use software as above - thanks.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2008/05/29
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    Always best to use what your comfortable with. I used Acronis when replacing my 120BG to 250GB. Created a new image (did NOT clone drive) and stored on external. Shut computer down, removed old drive and installed new / raw drive.
    Following is optional ...
    Booted computer using Acronis Disk Director Rescue CD. Create / designated OS partition, and then committed balance to Data partition.
    Shut computer down - end option process.

    Boot up computer with Acronis TI Boot Rescue CD. Now start your restore process. Acronis can create and size the OS partition if you choose not to use optional Acronis Disk Director. When restore is completed, exit and remove Rescue disk and reboot from new HDD.

    Pre-test
    Do this BEFORE you do any of the above.
    Attach your externally to notebook. Boot notebook with Acronis Rescue CD .. make sure you can SEE and READ from external drive to notebook drive.

    Understanding ...
    You can use any computer that can see/read your externally AND can provide power/signal to new drive. Just BOOT said computer with Acronis TI Rescue CD and start the restore. Then move/install new drive in to your notebook.
     
    Last edited: 2008/05/29
    Dennis L,
    #9
  11. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Dennis
    This is a first for me so I'm not comfortable with anything in this area :)

    The problem with Acronis is that I already have it installed on my desktop and the EULA covers installation on a single computer only.

    Mike

    As I said above a first for me - have downloaded DriveImage XML and think I need to do the following ....

    Connect new drive via adaptor and create partition - slightly larger than existing and set Active.

    Select Drive to Drive - select RAW option to prevent source partition from being resized.

    Copy drive.

    When complete install new drive in laptop, cross fingers & boot.
     
    PeteC,
    #10
  12. 2008/05/30
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    I would create it as a primary Partition but not Active yet.

    Your Drive c: partition should remain active until you switch drives.

    Windows assumes active partition even if not marked as such if you only have 1 drive. Mark the external active now would cause issues if you booted while it was connected.

    If you have already marked it Active just don't boot with it attached and attache after boot.

    All the rest is a go!

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
    #11
  13. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks, but I have a problem .....

    Drive and adaptor set delivered today, but cannot get the computer to see the new drive - just sits there clicking. Connected up an IDE drive - also not recognised. Suspect the adaptor kit is NBG :(
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2008/05/30
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Which adaptor did you get?
    I have a couple of Belkins..One has an issue with the power cord making a very poor connection.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #13
  15. 2008/05/30
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Pete if the drive is clicking it sounds like it is in some way it is trying to access the drive.

    It could be (hate to say) the drive!

    Try another drive if you have one on the connector even if not a sata!

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
    #14
  16. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    PeteC,
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  17. 2008/05/30
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Yep if it failed on 2 different drives even different types Sata and IDE then it is bad!

    A Shame!

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
    #16
  18. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Good news is that the Recovery appears to have been successful - back to factory install + all the associated HP c**p :)

    Now the fun begins - replace old drive, deactivate Photoshop and try to image to an external hard drive for re-imaging the new drive.
     
    PeteC,
    #17
  19. 2008/05/30
    mflynn

    mflynn Inactive

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    Great!

    Mike
     
    mflynn,
    #18
  20. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Update- struggled all day with this and no further forward as yet .....

    As I posted earlier the adaptor looks like it's faulty, but the Recovery disks surprisingly restored to the new drive.

    Successfully made an image using TrueImage XML to an external drive. Could not restore to the System partition so restored to another partition way down the drive. This would not boot so edited boot.ini to include this partition, but no joy for although the boot selection was presented selecting the imaged partition gave the dreaded Hall is missing.

    Despite my reservations about Acronis EULA loaded that to the old drive, imaged to an external. Booted from the Rescue CD to the new drive, wiped the drive, made a partition and tried to restore the image only to be told it was corrupt.

    Now making another image and will try again.

    Getting distinctively bog-eyed watching slow moving progress bars :) Given the time I've spent so far it would have been quicker to reload the software to the recovered install :D, but I don't give up easily.

    New image completed so another drive change - and I'll be back.
     
    PeteC,
    #19
  21. 2008/05/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Further Update ....

    Image is restoring :)
     
    PeteC,
    #20
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