XP hard disk

[knts172]

Hi

I need some info about cloning a XP hard disk.

I have a 9 GB HDD (Fujitsu) with XP Pro on it. I don't have original
installable/Key as I got the HDD from a friend when he upgraded his
PC.

After extensively using my PC (leaving it on for long durations for
batch runs etc), it seems the HDD is close to the end of its usable
life. It makes a strange grinding noise sometimes. I am afraid my all
phd work and thesis might be lost if this HDD crashes.

I have a spare 20GB HDD and plan to transfer everything from XP-HDD
to new one. Since I have installed many software programmes, I just
wish somehow if I can just clone the old XP HDD 'AS IT IS' to new HD
drive. Reinstalling everything will be a sure impossible task and I
guess it will require a lot of time. (plus I even don't have XP pro
installable cds)

Can it be done reliably? I looked at similar posts, but most of the
suggestions seem to be trial/not-sure-to-work type. Some comments say
Ghost works for win'98, some say it doesn't for XP.

I will highly appreciate any help, advice.

Thanks in advance

K172

 

[Rod Speed]

Hi

I need some info about cloning a XP hard disk.

I have a 9 GB HDD (Fujitsu) with XP Pro on it. I don't have original
installable/Key as I got the HDD from a friend when he upgraded his
PC.

After extensively using my PC (leaving it on for long durations for
batch runs etc), it seems the HDD is close to the end of its usable
life. It makes a strange grinding noise sometimes. I am afraid my all
phd work and thesis might be lost if this HDD crashes.

I have a spare 20GB HDD and plan to transfer everything from XP-HDD
to new one. Since I have installed many software programmes, I just
wish somehow if I can just clone the old XP HDD 'AS IT IS' to new HD
drive. Reinstalling everything will be a sure impossible task and I
guess it will require a lot of time. (plus I even don't have XP pro
installable cds)

Can it be done reliably?

Yep. You've just got to follow a specific
sequence and it works fine every time.

I looked at similar posts, but most of the
suggestions seem to be trial/not-sure-to-work type.

Yeah, many havent managed to work out the basics.

Some comments say Ghost works for
win'98, some say it doesn't for XP.

It clones XP fine if you are careful to follow the correct proceedure.

You just have to be careful to not let the first XP boot after the
clone has been done see both the original drive and the cloned drive.

Safest to do the clone from the bootable floppy Ghost
can make, or the ghost distribution CD, just so the system
doesnt auto reboot after the clone has been done.

Once ghost has copied the drive to the replacement,
just unplug the original drive and boot off the new drive
with the original drive unplugged. XP will notice the
hardware change and request another reboot.

Once XP is happy to boot off the new drive, you can
plug the original drive back in again if you say want
to format it and use it for data that doesnt matter etc.

 

[Michael Squires]

Hi

I need some info about cloning a XP hard disk.

I have a 9 GB HDD (Fujitsu) with XP Pro on it. I don't have original
installable/Key as I got the HDD from a friend when he upgraded his
PC.

My experience with Fujitsu drives has been bad, so I suggest not
waiting to back up your data.

Can it be done reliably? I looked at similar posts, but most of the
suggestions seem to be trial/not-sure-to-work type. Some comments say
Ghost works for win'98, some say it doesn't for XP.

Ghost will reliably copy the image from one disk to another, but whether
or not XP will let you log in is another question. I haven't had
problems when using the "Enterprise" version but have had problems when
using more versions with stricter licensing controls. If the system
won't let you log in then you may have to "sysprep" your system, which
will require having a license around when the new drive boots.

If you're just backing up your data you can install the second drive
on your system and then just copy the data to the second drive. The
PC won't operate when the Fujitsu fails, but at least your data is
safe.

I think you need to pop for the XP license. The cheapest way to get
one that I know of is to buy it with some hardware, either from a
company like JDR, or from someone off of eBay.

Mike Squires

 

[Rod Speed]

My experience with Fujitsu drives has been bad,
so I suggest not waiting to back up your data.

That was likely with MPGs tho. A 9GB isnt likely to be an MPG.

Ghost will reliably copy the image from one disk to another,
but whether or not XP will let you log in is another question.

Not if you do it properly.

I haven't had problems when using the "Enterprise" version

Others have.

but have had problems when using more
versions with stricter licensing controls.

Those dont apply when just changing the hard drive.

If the system won't let you log in then
you may have to "sysprep" your system,

Not necessary for just a hard drive change.

which will require having a license
around when the new drive boots.

If you're just backing up your data you can install the second drive
on your system and then just copy the data to the second drive. The
PC won't operate when the Fujitsu fails, but at least your data is safe.

Much better to clone the original before it dies.

I think you need to pop for the XP license.

Nope, he doesnt.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Hi

I need some info about cloning a XP hard disk.

I have a 9 GB HDD (Fujitsu) with XP Pro on it. I don't have original
installable/Key as I got the HDD from a friend when he upgraded his
PC.

After extensively using my PC (leaving it on for long durations for
batch runs etc), it seems the HDD is close to the end of its usable
life. It makes a strange grinding noise sometimes. I am afraid my all
phd work and thesis might be lost if this HDD crashes.

So make several backups right now. HDDs may crash without warning
at any time. Unless you do not care about the data on the old disk?

I have a spare 20GB HDD and plan to transfer everything from XP-HDD
to new one. Since I have installed many software programmes, I just
wish somehow if I can just clone the old XP HDD 'AS IT IS' to new HD
drive. Reinstalling everything will be a sure impossible task and I
guess it will require a lot of time. (plus I even don't have XP pro
installable cds)

Since this copy is already illegal, why not get another illegal copy
somewhere and install that? (Not that I would condone such an action,
but I do not understand your argument...).

Can it be done reliably? I looked at similar posts, but most of the
suggestions seem to be trial/not-sure-to-work type. Some comments say
Ghost works for win'98, some say it doesn't for XP.

Usually it does not work. The problem is that MS made it intentionally
hard. Their "cure-all" is reinstallation. With Linux it would be easy,
but not so with XP. The only thing that has a reasonable chance is a
nearly identical copy. Northon Ghost can make these, our PC-admin at
work uses it to clone machines. The excat nature of the disks seems to
be non-critical. The rest of the hardware will cause problems if not
identical.


Arno

 

[Sam Williams]

So make several backups right now. HDDs may crash without warning
at any time. Unless you do not care about the data on the old disk?


Since this copy is already illegal, why not get another illegal copy
somewhere and install that? (Not that I would condone such an action,
but I do not understand your argument...).

Usually it does not work.

Wrong. It works every time if you do it the right way.

The problem is that MS made it intentionally hard.

Wrong again.

Their "cure-all" is reinstallation.

Wrong again.

With Linux it would be easy, but not so with XP.

Just as easy with XP if you know what you are doing.

The only thing that has a reasonable chance is a nearly identical copy.

Thats guaranteed to work with ghost as long as you dont let XP see
the original and the clone on the first boot after the copy has been done.

Northon Ghost can make these, our PC-admin
at work uses it to clone machines.

And so does everyone else who understands how to do it successfully.

The excat nature of the disks seems to be non-critical.

Yep, its completely irrelevant.

The rest of the hardware will cause problems if not identical.

Wrong again. In plenty of situations XP will handle that fine too.

 

[knts172]

Sam,

do you have any procedure or info about how to do that ?

I will really appreciate it.

K

 

[Sam Williams]

do you have any procedure or info about how to do that ?

Its surprisingly easy really. Safest to do the clone from
the ghost floppy or distribution CD, mainly so it wont
auto boot back into XP once the clone has been done.

The crucial bit is to physically unplug the original
drive for the first boot of XP after the clone has
been done. XP will detect the new drive and ask
for a reboot. Once its booted off that new drive
twice, you can put the original drive back in the
system and format it to use it for data or whatever.