Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (
More info?)
> bkress wrote:
>> I would like to replace my c-drive with a larger drive and not have to
>> re-install Windows XP and all my applications. Is there a way to make
>> a disk image of the c-drive, copy the image to the larger drive and
>> switch disks?
>> Thanks
"jimbo" <jimbo62@spamex.com> wrote in message
news:10ot99g64lbarb1@corp.supernews.com...
> I just did that. I replaced a 40 GB "C" drive running WinXP with a 200 GB
> drive. I tried to use the Western Digital software to do the clone, but
> the program failed during execution, so I used Norton Ghost 2003. I put
> the new formatted NTFS drive in "D" position by disconnecting the existing
> "D" drive and connecting the IDE cable connector and power connector to
> the new drive. Then I cloned "C" to "D" with Ghost. I just used the Ghost
> Windows interface. It will boot to DOS to do the clone anyway, so there is
> really no need to use a boot floppy. Then I removed the old "C" drive and
> installed the new clone in it's place. When I booted, I got a blue screen
> of death and a reboot, etc. I had used Ghost to clone a 40 GB to a 40 GB
> before and the clone would boot to WinXP with no problems, but this clone
> wouldn't boot. But here is what to do if the same thing happens to you.
>
> Boot with the WinXP installation CD. At the first menu select "Install
> Windows XP". At the second menu, select "repair installation". Very
> important, be sure you select "repair installation" or you will lose all
> of your settings, applications, etc. This repair installation goes through
> all of the installation steps just as for a fresh installation, but your
> settings, applications, etc. are preserved. And you will need your 25
> character ID. My system did not require activation, after the repair
> installation, it booted to my old WinXP system on the new 200 GB hard
> drive.
>
> Good luck, jimbo
bkress:
Jimbo's comments notwithstanding, using Ghost 2003 to clone your old hard
drive to a new one is simple & effective. I've used Ghost perhaps a thousand
times over the years to clone one hard drive to another and rarely encounter
any problem with the program. Whatever problems I have encountered have
invariably been due to user error or defective drives.
Again, Jimbo's comments notwithstanding, you can clone your old drive to the
new one using the disk imaging utility that's included with the retail,
boxed version of your new hard drive (or you can obtain the utility from the
hard drive manufacturer's web site in most cases). While I rarely use that
kind of utility (since I use Ghost nearly exclusively), it usually works
fine for a one-shot transfer of the contents of one drive to another. It is,
however, extremely slow in performing the cloning process, and is therefore
not really suitable for undertaking cloning operations for routine backup
purposes. But if you don't plan to use your old drive as a backup for your
new one, it's a more than acceptable alternative to a commercial disk
imaging program.
If you think you might want to use Ghost, indicate such in a subsequent
posting and I'll provide you with step-by-step instructions.
Art