Topic: Cloning hdd

[goldshirt*9]

How and what would i use to copy a image of my hdd ( o/s) to put on another larger hdd so i dont have to re install the os. We are talking windows here
any advice welcome. Have never attempted before

[goldshirt*9]

cheers for reply

[brickbatz]

I cloned my Win 7 OS to a 2 TB hard drive using Acronis True Image from a Hiren's BootDVD and everything works fine. I have a copy of it if you want it. I can put it it in a Dropbox folder and PM you a link to it. PM me if you want it.

[dweez]

What Windows OS?  Windows 7 and higher are really good at "detecting new hardware".  Typically, if all you're replacing is hard drive and all other hardware is the same, there shouldn't be an issue.  Also, if it's Win7 or higher, you don't have to worry about using GParted or a feature in the cloning hardware (I haven't done it in a while but my coworkers use Clonezilla a lot) to resize the partition.  You can now go into Disk Management, right click the partition, and select "Extend".

[goldshirt*9]

have W7.
have tried to install secong sata hdd but pc crashes all the time.
http://www.diasfora.co.uk/index.php/topic,4730.0.html
Running 2 apple phones (itunes) which links to a location  :)and Sony media go copies files to its own program folder  (android / blackberry) the sony media prog go is eating my memory up.

All original W7 o/s for a change.

[brickbatz]

I would try connecting the 2 SATA drives and run Mini XP from a Hiren's disc (it runs in memory) and see if it recognizes both drives. Possibly you could initialize the second disc or format it to NTFS, then load Win 7 from your hard drive and see if it still crashes.

[goldshirt*9]

trouble is the pc wont start, it constantly crashes at boot up.
I have sata / pata hdd and a dvd burner. all ok
when i add anything else it crashes.
I dont mind a re install as i have hardly any prog installed its just the updates. Disc is W7 no updated or packs.

[brickbatz]

Again, try loading Mini XP or Linux from a bootable DVD or flash drive.

[goldshirt*9]

so boot into linux from usb to see if it recognises both drives, if it does then its a windoze error not motherboard.
will try later cheers.

[brickbatz]

Use UNetbootin to make the flash drive bootable.

You can also run Hirens' Boot DVD from a bootable flash drive and have all the tools you need to diagnose, repair, recover, clone, get on the net with Windows or Linux... something like 350 programs. They all run in memory, not from a hard drive. You can run it if you don't have a hard drive installed in the computer.

[goldshirt*9]

okydoky

[goldshirt*9]

I stand by my advice.

As expected sir 
not decided as yet, will try to see if i can boot into linux on usb as recommended with 2nd hdd fitted.
Narrows it down to pc or os i hope

[goldshirt*9]

As per

My desktop PC running Windows 7 deciding to reverse back to Windows XP, in one reboot.
 Tried to repair a Windows installer error and ended up re installing W7.
Lost all information on spare HDD as well.
Didn't mind xp look but no internet,sound,mail,system restore, aero theme, in fact according to Windows nothing was installed including ram,CPU,o/s,HDD.
Weirdest thing ever happened to me on a PC.
Still No idea why it happened .
Only benefit was a nice fast fresh PC.

I did manage to add a second hdd to the motherboard via a sata whilst the pc was running.
Recognised it and was running great.
when i rebooted the pc again refused to boot up, kept going into a reboot  everytime it hit the windows start screen.
Was ok with a external HDD permanently plugged in but not a sata hdd.
Am considering a new pc as i just dont trust this one anymore.

[brickbatz]

Have you tried updating the BIOS?

[goldshirt*9]

always dubious in updating bios 
Will try your linux "test" when i have a disc burnt ( cannot install from usb)

couldn't even install a graphic card, didnt go into the reboot sequence, just went passed bios and froze.