"Ghosting" the hard drive

Bought a bigger hard drive (80g) since this motherboard can't support anything bigger than 100g for the primary HHD. The current primary HDD is 20g

I think the last time I've "ghost" a hard drive was back in 1998 using Ghost in DOS mode.

I need to do it again. Anyone know what's the best programme to use? This will be another one-time-thing so I'm not looking to spend money in a programme that I'll only use once or twice.

I do have PartitionMagic 8.0, and it has a "copy a partition" task but I'm not sure if that's the same as cloning or creating an exact image of the old HDD I want to transfer to the new HDD.

I just want something to give me an exact carbon copy of my primary HDD so when I hook up the new hard disk I don't get any errors. But knowing PCs, there will always be something that comes up...

Hope someone can help out. Thanks in advance.

Well, I tried it with Partition Magic 8, got this message:

Access violation at address 0056334F in module 'PMagicnt.exe'. Read of address 00000016.

Now I'm ... I don't want to call the geek squad for this...

[mced]

I was waiting for the Windows users to answer this one, but it seems they're out.

The most famous "ghosting" tool has always been Norton Ghost, but I cannot say how it works or if it's trustable. Give it a chance.

If you know something about UNIX, I would recommend you a Linux Live CD like Knoppix, which comes with a good ghosting tool called partitionimage.

I'm trying to get back to UNIX but I get lost with the command lines. I have bad memories with a UNIX professor who wanted my group to write a firewall programme... it was only our first year!

I found this windows programme that works by booting up to the CD instead of using the Windows environment. I left the comp running thru the night. If it works I'll post the results and links to it for the Windows guys here who were a great help.

Thanks, mced.

OK, I managed to do accomplish my goal! (w00t)

To the (supposed) Windows users: Some help the lot of you were!

So, here's how I did it if you're not looking to spend $70+ (USD) on Norton Ghost, a programme you might only use at least once.

*Important*
The thing about HDClone is that it copies a entire hard disk onto another, larger hard disk. That is, in my situation, my old HD is small so I needed to upgrade to a larger HD without reinstalling every single programme I have including the OS. So your new HD should be bigger. HDClone will take your big HD and partition it to the same exact size as your old HD, leaving the rest as free space. This can be fixed with Acronis BootDisc (coughMininovaCough)


1) HDClone 3.2 from Miray Software. Download the FREE Edition. Unzip the file, open the .exe file and create either a bootable floppy or a bootable CD, your choice. (I have the floppy disabled, personal reasons...)

2) The source HD will, of course, be the master drive, the target HD the slave, make sure they're both connected in hierarchy and right jumper settings. Format the target HD to the same file system the source HD is (compmgmt.msc)

3) Boot up to floppy/CD, instructions are very very simple: select the source HD, then the target HD, few other options, then you're set to go. Depending how big the source HD you're copying, it'll take some time. It copies 300mb/min, I'm never in a hurry. Walk away, watch a few of your favourite episodes of 24, then come back to your comp.

2) Turn off your computer, disconnect your source HD, switch to the target HD and set its jumper as a master drive. Boot up, things should be smooth since it's a clone.

4) Like I mentioned before, it partitions your new HD to the same exact size as your old HD, so the larger HD will have free space. With Acronis BootDisc it's easily fixable if you don't have Partition Magic, which would cost you another $70+ (USD). I actually have PM8.0 and it wouldn't combine the resize my new HD to its fullest capacity.

Thing are running great so far. But as expected, my Abode CS programmes are asking to re-activate which is typical for adobe.

Hope this helps anyone in the future. You'll save $200(USD) [assuming taxes and shipping]

Cheers. And thanks again, mced. I might re-install Ubuntu on my machine or the next machine I build after the New Year.

Que viva España!