Can I transfer information from one internal HDD to another?

[Carc369]

I want to transfer whats on my current internal HDD to another internal HDD. I plan on installing the other internal HDD. I know you can do this with external HDD but is there any way to transfer my information between the 2 internal hard drives and if so, how?

Reason I'm transferring them is because I accidentally broke the sata connector on the Hard Drive. Now it is EXTREMELY loose and I want to save my data now rather than risking it.

 

[dg27]

If I'm understanding you correctly you have an open drive bay and you plan to install a 2nd HDD in that bay. Once you've got two drives in there, there's no reason why you can't transfer your data to the second drive. But: Are you transferring (either copying or moving) just data (documents, music, movies, etc.) or are you trying to move your entire OS installation? If you're just copying or moving data you can just use Windows Explorer (I am assuming you're on Windows). But moving the OS is considerably trickier. Please clarify.

dg

 

[Carc369]

Yes my computer currently has Windows 7 and 1 hard drive.

I want to install another hard drive and transfer EVERYTHING including the OS onto the new hard drive. Is that possible?

Thanks for your response.

 

[dg27]

Doing a direct transfer would involve creating a disc image of the current boot drive. You can do this with programs like Acronis.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

However, I would probably disconnect the current boot drive, reinstall the OS on the new drive, reconnect the old boot drive, and transfer whatever data you want to the new boot drive. I never think it's a great idea to transfer an old installation to a new HDD.

dg

 

[electrontau]

you can clone it. I use Acronis to do it. Just boot from CD and there is an option to clone the drive.

another way is to install everything (OS, apps, games, drivers) and then copy your personal stuff (docs, photos, movies).

 

[Carc369]

The main problem I have is that I lost the Windows 7 DVD. So Acronis is the best way to go you guys say?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I want to transfer whats on my current internal HDD to another internal HDD. I plan on installing the other internal HDD. I know you can do this with external HDD but is there any way to transfer my information between the 2 internal hard drives and if so, how?

Reason I'm transferring them is because I accidentally broke the sata connector on the Hard Drive. Now it is EXTREMELY loose and I want to save my data now rather than risking it.

All you have to do is install the new drive, format it then start copying and pasteing. Easy as pie. I have 5 hard drives ( well 1 is an SSD ) in my computer and swap files all the time between them. It will just show up as a new drive letter in MY Computer.

 

[Carc369]

you can't copy and paste the OS.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I saw no mention of the OS. He said information. But you are correct. If he needs to copy a Windows install Acronis will work. Should have read that better.

 

[dg27]

I thought that he was looking to move the OS was clarified after my first post. That's why I recommended Acronis.

 

[Carc369]

Best answer selected by Carc369.

 

[tomscjz]

I want to transfer whats on my current internal HDD to another internal HDD. I plan on installing the other internal HDD. I know you can do this with external HDD but is there any way to transfer my information between the 2 internal hard drives and if so, how?

Reason I'm transferring them is because I accidentally broke the sata connector on the Hard Drive. Now it is EXTREMELY loose and I want to save my data now rather than risking it.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey