I need to copy all the hard drive contents to a new drive....How to??? 3

[hungrier]

I just installed a second, new big fast hard drive into my desktop and want to move "everything" from the original drive to the new one and make the new drive the boot drive. The old drive will be for backups. I run XP Pro. I just bought a program called Copy Commander by Vcom which says it will transfer everything over to the new drive. Is this really possible, or am I just dreaming? Do I need to install the OS and the programs on the new drive and transfer the data as most people have told me I must do????? I would love to save time but don't want a mess. any helpful hints?? Thanks.

 

[rvnguy]

Get the utils from the drive mfg site for the new drive.

Each drive mfg has a routine to setup their drives and make it used for additional storage or as a new boot drive, The latter is what you want to do.

Follow the instructions to the letter for a no problem conversion.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[hungrier]

rvnguy....thanks, but my real question is whether i have to install the OS and applications denovo on the new drive, or whether i can "transfer" them over from the original old drive with appropriate software, ie copy commander. thoughts?

 

[rvnguy]

If you look at the drive utils I referenced, you will see that they copy/clone the old drive to the new drive.

No need for 'copy commander' or any other app.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[jessicatechy]

you can use the xcopy command in command prompt.
XCOPY c:\*.* d:\*.* /E


/e means copy directories and subdirs even if they are empty.

 

[wolluf]

Just endorsing rvnguy's post.

Don't try the xcopy approach - too many files in use (and that's only the first problem).

 

[jarcuri]

There are many cloning kits that include software and hardware for hard drive cloning. I have done this many, many times and as long as you follow the directions to a T (ie disabling ghosting and virus software etc) there will be no problem.

 

[hungrier]

Thanks everyone for your help. hopefully i will have time this weekend to make a stab at it. hungrier