Seagate drive about to fail - some guidance about imaging, please. 1

[BionicJohn]

My C: drive, a 500Gb Seagate Barracuda, is producing warnings in 32-bit Windows 7

I've run SeaTools and to cut a long story short, Seagate will replace the HDD FOC, but I'll be without a C:/boot drive for a week or so (I can live with that!)

So I'm looking at making an image of the failing Seagate for replicating on the new disk.

How exactly do I do this? How large is the image likely to be - 100% or compressed? I've used about 75Gb of the 500Gb.

If I store the image on a second HDD from where I can re-create the C: drive, how do I boot the system into life?

FWIW I have a Windows 7 upgrade disk, made a repair disk &c. and have been making Windows backups every few hours as suggested by the Windows messages of impending doom.

Many thanks,

Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[goombawaho]

What are the messages that you get from Windows and what did the SEATOOLS say?

Lots of questions. You need some imaging software of which there are many - some free and some not. Until you pick your weapon, it's hard to give instructions.

An image is usually somewhat less than the data size (75GB) NOT the drive size IF the software has compression and IF you choose to use it. I'm thinking of Ghost here. There are three options: no compression (faster), compression and high compression (slower).

It would probably be better, if you can reinstall the operating system yourself to just hook the drive up to another functioning computer and siphon off only the DATA to be saved for the new installation.

Why?? It takes longer to do the clone/image and you want to get your data off and safe ASAP. A windows installation - who cares so much. Data is important.

 

[BadBigBen]

John,

I am with Goom, in that you should first take care of your DATA and save that away... then image the drive...

have a read:

http://www.williamaford.com/CloningaHDD.php

Note: the above is a bit dated, but still very informative. the dated information pertains only to the software mentioned, they have been updated in the mean time, some may even have changed names...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[BionicJohn]

The data is all backed up. To two different locations. So I'm not too worried on that score.

I supposed I'm just being a bit lazy really, thinking using imaging software would be easier and quicker than de-activating and re-installing everything. However, a fresh install of everything may be better option even if it takes longer.

Error messages.

Windows:

I then went to Seagate's website and downloaded a few software tools to check, and hopefully repair, the disk.
This the result:

Seagate's SeaTools for DOS

(Not complete but from hand written notes at the time)

SMART has been tripped
Long Test passed
Short Test failed
Model ID: ST3500418AS
Serial No: -----------
Warranty Validation Code: -----------

After putting the above references into Seagate's Returns page (

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/warranty_&_returns_assistance

) it reported the drive would be replaced under warranty, and gave details of how to proceed.

The Seagate is still in the PC and working. My original intention was to make an image and then parcel it up and post it to UK Seagate in Coventry.

Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[goombawaho]

You can do that if you get an imaging program, but if there are sectors failing that contain, for example windows system files, the restored image may not boot.

I'd vote for a fresh install UNLESS you have bootleg software or software without the install media or license.

 

[BionicJohn]

if there are sectors failing that contain, for example windows system files, the restored image may not boot.

Ah! That's pretty critical. New disk and re-install it is. Cheers.

All the apps are legit, though I only have a Win7 upgrade disk, and rather than starting by installing WinXP, I may try the registry edit route to initiate the validation/ authentication procedure.

Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[paparazi]

New hard drive is a chance to install a FRESH operating system...at least thats how I see it!
I cannot really see the benefit of imaging an old install when you have access and own all the software.
Yes it takes longer but you will have the benefit of a fault free, clean/quick installed. Definately worth the extra time involved.

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[BionicJohn]

At long last, the new FoC Seagate Barracuda drive arrived. Judging by all the labels it came from Thailand via the Netherlands and Liverpool Airport.

I'm going to try the "Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media" as described here:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media.aspx

Watch this space.

Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[BionicJohn]

All seemed well until entering product key, which was deemed incorrect. I checked to make sure it was correct - it was - and the process ended there. I guess an upgrade key is no use when the installation hasn't found an expsitong/previous version of windows.

I did a very basic install on WinXP after deleting the partitions, and then the upgrade to Win 7. This time the same product key was accepted, and all is well. And the activation was all but instant.

Thanks for your time.



Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.