differences between cloning and xcopy 1

[yonyon]

Hi,
Could anybody tell me the difference between cloning a hard drive vs xcopy it with system files included? I am using w2k server.It looks the same to me as I include my system files in my xcopy.

Thks

 

[wolluf]

Depends on method used - but cloning usually means either do a partition/drive copy (rather than all indovidaul files/folders), using something like Ghost, Drive Image or Partition Magic - or copying partition/drive to an image file - which can then be used to recreate the original partition/drive on another hard drive (or in fact, on the same one). In either case, the destination copy should behve exactly like the original, if mounted in the original machine instead of original.

Using xcopy - just copies folders & files as specified by parameters you use - and it won't be able to copy files that are in use by the operating system. Also, this copy won't include and boot sector information - so for example, it won't boot without further work being done on it.

If you want to move an installation, you should use a cloning method.

 

[yonyon]

Hi,
Thks for your answer.The reason I am asking this, is because the dos ghost 6.xx disk I am using, to clone to a SCSII disk connected to a HP smartarray controller doesn't work.I think maybe I am wrong, that it doesn't work because my ghost version doesn't support scsii.
Do you know any Ghost utility I could use to clone to my smartarray scsii drive? If not, I could probably end up with an xcopy /s/e/o/t and copy system files and registry.

Thks again for your help.

 

[ricpinto]

I believe, it something to do with DOS driver. You must install SCSI DOS driver for you array contoller to be able for ghost to see the drive. Just like a CD-ROM drive, without installing the DOS cdrom driver first, ghost can't see the drive.

 

[yonyon]

Thks again,
That's what I was thinking also but when I load the Dos scsii driver through the config.sys file and run the ghost app I got an error message like "Invalid EISA access" .Any idea about that? please let me know.

 

[ricpinto]

What's the model of your array controller? Is it PCI or EISA bus. I'm affraid you're installing the wrong DOS driver. You don't have to run the ghost to check whether the SCSI driver is OK. You run Fdisk to see the additional HDD. You have to make sure you have the correct driver.

 

[yonyon]

Hi,
Thks for your tips.The model I use is a smartarray scsii controller with 2 drives in a mirror set.

 

[ricpinto]

Smart Array 3200, 4i, 5i, 2P, 2DH, 532, 5300 etc. There are so many model. Some are in EISA or PCI.

Smart Array is for Compaq.
ServeRaid - IBM
NetRaid - HP

 

[segil]

Just be careful, because Symantech doesn't recomment ghosting a RAID system... see there support site for more information.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...host&dtype=corp&svy=&prev=&miniver=symghost_8