Replacing an old HD

[asdfg]

I would like know how can I copy the 1Gig HD to 5gig without using the old hard drive. I mean coping the whole image.

[CMonster]

I do not fully understand your question?

In truth, there is NO way to copy a drive without using it - you would at least have to mount the drive in order to copy it. I assume you mean 'how can I copy the drive without booting from it?'

You could copy it using "Drive Image" or "Drive Copy" run from a floppy disk.

But if the 1GB drive contains a bootable Win9x install (I am assuming) you can flawlessly copy the drive to your new drive from the command line by using the following method:

1. Connect both drives, the old drive as primary master and the new drive as secondary master or primary slave.

2. Prepare the target (new disk) disk e.g. fdisk and format.

3. From Windows got to Start/Run and type in

xcopy C:\*.* /h/i/c/k/e/r/y D: click "OK" and the drive will be coppied.

4. Install the new drive as master and remove the old drive - reboot and all should be well.

[asdfg]

thank!!

[AnakiMana]

Hey, that's easy to remember...

/h/i/c/k/e/r/y

Darn, I wish I knew this about 6 months ago when I worked on someone's computer!

AnakiMana

[commodsquad]

I was under the impression that the commandline beginning had to be xcopy32 and not xcopy but I dont remember the reasoning anymore LOL..
I really just wanted to add this to the equation:

This has to be done in the Windows graphical shell, open a DOS window or like CMonster has said: use the Start/Run dialog box from the start menu(don't use
MS-DOS mode!)

You will get one error message when the xcopy command executes and the process is underway as it attempts to copy the win386.swp file. Ignore it because windows cant copy the swapfile since it is in use during this process. When you reboot with the new drive after all is done, Windows will create another swapfile for you ... Other than that, it should copy all files and preserve all attributes, including directory attributes.

When the copy process is all done and you want to do a quick check to see if it was a flawless transfer. change directories by typing this in at the command prompt c:\ in the dos window:

cd windows and then hit enter.

then type this :

fc /b explorer.exe d:\windows\explorer.exe and then hit enter

The check should report back FC: no differences encountered. If so, you have no translation problems and all is well - or if it reports errors you more than likely have gross data corruption amd will have to try again.

Also, I might stress that you keep the orginal drive intact with its configuration as a backup for at least a few days to a week to make sure that your new drive has had a chance to go thru its paces and everything seems to be ok.

And dont forget to reset your BIOS for the changes in the primary hard drive settings (if you changed them from autodetect because of manufacturer requirements to set them manually in order for the drive to work properly) before you boot completely back to windows when you make the new drive the master..(which basically means: Start the reboot process but pause at the Bios settings and make the necessary changes and then continue booting to the OS)

On a side note:
If programs start complaining about missing files, the copying operation may have changed a few short filenames. Use the "find" function of the Windows registry editor, regedit, to track down the offending registry entry and change it to point the new short filename. If it isn't in the registry, check the application's .ini file(s). (ask for help if you dont know how to do this part)


I hope this helps http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by commodsquad (edited 08-17-2000).]

[CMonster]

As far as I know, in Windows xcopy calls xcopy32 so it isn't really necessary to specify:

You should not get the error copying the swap file when using the switches I mentioned - or at least it will not stop for the error message - trust me it works flawlessly.

Just remember it takes a "hickery switch"

Yes you do need to be in a Windows shell - you're right -not ms-dos mode http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

One important thing I left out - it is a good idea to clean up your old drive and defrag prior to the transfer - dump those temporary Internet files.

Try this to wipe the Temporary Internet files including those stubborn, often hidden cache folders:

First see how much junk is there right click Windows\Temporary Internet files and check properties - note the folder size.

Next use your normal method for clearing this folder and check it's file size again - I'll bet you still see a large size of your supposedly "empty" folder?

Now go into MS-DOS mode - by default you should be in C:\WINDOWS\>

Finally type in deltree tempor~1 hit enter, hit "y" and wait for it to finish - this may take some time.

Re-enter Windows and recheck the folder size - almost nothing there now right? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 08-17-2000).]

[commodsquad]

Good memory there CMonster hehe..I always do the defrag and clean up by habit and usually forget that others might not know they should do it and neglect to mention it...
I did some backtracking of the mind and remembered that the xcopy32 command had to be specified when it involved the older OS Windows95 because they were two seperate commands - the one with just xcopy was the msdos mode command and the xcopy32 was for use in the Windows shell. And also the xcopy by itself in the commandline would enable the copy process to include partitions in their respective order and drive letters and the 32 one was for drives with just one partition..At least that is what I remember but then again I'm getting old and my memory isnt what it used to be LMAO....I didnt know they were interchangable in 98 so I learned something new hehe.. I have always just done it with xcopy32 so it was a suprise to see you mention the command without the 32 in the line..
Also my switch commands differ in that I have never seen it done with the /i and /y switches and was curious as to what those 2 switches did that was different than what I have always used..

xcopy32 c:\. d:\ /c/h/e/r/k

That is the switch I have implimented and it is "flawless" (as you put it hehe)in its transfer process also...But I still run the commandline check I mentioned just to be relatively sure because you never know when and if there might be a hiccup during the procedure http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif ... And yes, the swapfile error goes by so quick that you might not notice that there was an error when it tries to copy the swap file LOL..Some people have quick eyes and might worry if they do see it ..that is why I tried to reassure whoever impliments this method that it wasnt something to fret over since the swap rebuilds itself by default.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Win_98]

why use xcopy when you can use something that is more suited for this purpose like drive image or drive copy from powerquest. hey it easy as 1-2-3 why bother with switches that is confusing as hell and have limited uses as well. it purpose is just to copy directory and files but doesn't make an exact duplicate of a drive letter say c:

[jacobnero8196]

Why use any software when you could just use the software that comes with the new hard drive. I installed a 20 gig hard drive making it the MASTER while the old drive became the SLAVE. I made a CD IMAGE and after it was done I just removed the old hard drive. The maxtor software allows you to even make partions, no need for partion magic unless you need to change things down the line.

[This message has been edited by jacobnero8196 (edited 08-21-2000).]

[qball]

asdfg,

Is you password *****?

Ooops, I mean 'qwerty'?

Great unigue name! Reminds me of a time when the NT admin password was

albuquerque

If I could only remember what was caps!

AlBuQuErQuE
aLbUqUeRqUe

I'm mildly impressed that I remembered how to spell albaquerque, I mean albuquercque, dang, albuquerkey. Sh*t, t;aint impressed no mo!

[asdfg]

it is possible to boot up cd-rw drive to in dos mode and copy the hard drive from there.

[jad1097]

You could use trial version of Drive Image Pro. (http://www.powerquest.com/freestuff/index.html) It works great.