hard drive to hard drive exact copying

[TTUWileE]

I currently have a 20GB hard drive as master in my machine but I just bought a new 120GB hard drive to replace it with. What is the easiest way for me to copy all of my files exactly onto the new drive without losing any files? I'm running XP if it matters.

 

[mainegeek]

You could use the cd that came with the new drive.There should be a drive copy utility on it. Just be certain that you understand which drive is the "source drive" and which one is the "destination drive" or it can result in data loss. Just take your time and don't rush.


Also, you may encounter drive limitations where as your bios might not regognise a drive that large.

 

[wolluf]

If the drive didn't come with any utilities, just go to the drive manufacturer's website and download one (they've nearly all got utilities to clone old drive to their new one - eg, Maxtor's is Maxblast).

One other point - after you've done the copy, disconnect the old drive before booting from the new - or you may end up with a drive letter problem (if its still connected, the old drive will still occupy C: - even if its now a slave - so new drive will take D: or later. If you connect new one on its own it will take C: - and you can then reconnect the old one if you want to)