Downloading HDD contents
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Downloading HDD contents
I want to replace the hard drive on my computer. I also want to retain everything on the hard drive and then reinstall it on the new hard drive........how do I do that 
Quite happy to buy something such as a portable HDD if this allows me to download from one to the other, then back again, using a USB port.
Thanks in anticipation
FBW
Quite happy to buy something such as a portable HDD if this allows me to download from one to the other, then back again, using a USB port.
Thanks in anticipation
FBW
Plastic PPRuNer
"Quite happy to buy something such as a portable HDD if this allows me to download from one to the other, then back again, using a USB port."
Qué? Are you talking laptop here? Otherwise no need to do twice what you only need do once (unless you enjoy it..)
Search PPRuNe archives for "clone + drive" - lots of stuff.
Qué? Are you talking laptop here? Otherwise no need to do twice what you only need do once (unless you enjoy it..)
Search PPRuNe archives for "clone + drive" - lots of stuff.
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Thanks for your reply. I should have made it clear that I only have the one hard drive on the computer in question. I do have another computer with loads of room on the HDD. How can I send the hard drive contents from one to the other....and then back again ? Presumably they have to be connected to do that. Or can I purchase a portable HDD and connect using USB port ?
I have used the maxtor software fromMaxtor to copy data from one drive to another.
It seems to work OK even if you don't have a maxtor drive (though they may have made it smarter with V3)
They only req is the new drive is bigger than the old drive.
MAx
The easy way is once you have made the floppy is
open your 'puter, and if you have one HD and a CD..
disconnect the CD..
add the HD in it's place (assuming on IDE Ch 2 as master)...
Connect the new HD..
Stick floppy in...
Reboot..
follow prompts...
This works if your Bios is set to AUTO for all drives
It seems to work OK even if you don't have a maxtor drive (though they may have made it smarter with V3)
They only req is the new drive is bigger than the old drive.
MAx
The easy way is once you have made the floppy is
open your 'puter, and if you have one HD and a CD..
disconnect the CD..
add the HD in it's place (assuming on IDE Ch 2 as master)...
Connect the new HD..
Stick floppy in...
Reboot..
follow prompts...
This works if your Bios is set to AUTO for all drives
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Hi Flyby, I did this recently and had no problems. There are a number of "advice" sites with details of what to do. Since I am at work, I haven't got the actual references I used, but here is a similar site:
http://www.regstevens.co.uk/add1.htm
Whatever you do, make sure that you have a good floppy "Start-up" disk! Also, do take anti-static precautions when you are doing the actual physical "swap".
Good luck!
http://www.regstevens.co.uk/add1.htm
Whatever you do, make sure that you have a good floppy "Start-up" disk! Also, do take anti-static precautions when you are doing the actual physical "swap".
Good luck!
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I don't have a slot for another HDD
There must be a straight forward way of doing this. Can I connect the 2 computers together using a crossover cable and then transfer the entire contents of the hard drive to the other one, replace it and then transfer it back.
The local IT shop do it all the time when they replace HDD's (done mine before).....this time I thought I would save myself £30 and do it myself
There must be a straight forward way of doing this. Can I connect the 2 computers together using a crossover cable and then transfer the entire contents of the hard drive to the other one, replace it and then transfer it back.
The local IT shop do it all the time when they replace HDD's (done mine before).....this time I thought I would save myself £30 and do it myself
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My old PC didn't have two slots to mount the drive, but it did have two connections so I just put the new drive on a piece of pasteboard and plugged it in (just don't put it upside down, they don't like to run that way)
If that won't work then you can do a peer-to-peer ethernet connection, using a crossover cable. It might be fairly slow however. You also have to configure some settings that might be a bit daunting if you haven't done it before.
I think the software is 'direct cable connection'. See the help for your system for the specifics of your installation.
If that won't work then you can do a peer-to-peer ethernet connection, using a crossover cable. It might be fairly slow however. You also have to configure some settings that might be a bit daunting if you haven't done it before.
I think the software is 'direct cable connection'. See the help for your system for the specifics of your installation.
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If you cannot fit another HDD into the machine (even just resting it on the base of the machine if there are no spare drive bays) then the simplest way is as staed above by setting up a simple peer to peer network.
However you will need two ethernet cards (£10 each approx) plus a cross over cable (£4 approx) plus the time to configure networking on both PC's.
If an IT dealer will do it for £30 I'd save myself the hassle and let them do it !!
However you will need two ethernet cards (£10 each approx) plus a cross over cable (£4 approx) plus the time to configure networking on both PC's.
If an IT dealer will do it for £30 I'd save myself the hassle and let them do it !!
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Zip Drive?
I dont think this has been mentioned. my granddad had a USB connector type Zip Drive. it takes floppies, and acts as a portable HDD. I am not sure of the exact details or how much they are. But perhaps you could look around on the net for them? Its just a small thing about 6 inches long, 4 wide, about 1 high, something like that.
Hope that helps
Dan
Hope that helpsDan
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Are you absolutly sure you dont have the cabling tucked away inside your PC for a second drive? - even if there is no bay, the ide and power cables are usually there.
My favourite piece of software can be found here.
Free, no frills, just does what is says on the tin. I've used it and it worked perfectly for me.
Tim
My favourite piece of software can be found here.
Free, no frills, just does what is says on the tin. I've used it and it worked perfectly for me.
Tim
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If you have a cd rom fitted could it not be possible to disconnect the cdrom, plug in the new drive as a slave, transfer everything over to the new drive then remove the old drive reconfigure the new drive as master and plug in the cdrom.
Assuming you don't need the cdrom whilst transfering.
Assuming you don't need the cdrom whilst transfering.
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Thanks for all your help and advice, it never fails to impress me.
Just a quick question regarding " Lunkenheimer's" post
Which way is upside down......or which way is the correct way up?
Just a quick question regarding " Lunkenheimer's" post
so I just put the new drive on a piece of pasteboard and plugged it in (just don't put it upside down, they don't like to run that way)
Which way is upside down......or which way is the correct way up?
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Circuit board on the bottom. Make sure that whatever surface you put it on is non-conductive. If necessary use a few sheets of newspaper, a magazine or something like that under it.
Be careful of how "off" your computer is when it appears to be switched off. Newer boxes are software controlled and even though they appear to be off are still live at some point. eg To turn mine completely off, I have to push and hold the power button for 10 seconds - a normal push and release only suspends the computer, leaving it partially powered for a quick resume. Best to unplug it from the power supply completely. (There is room for discussion here re earthing back to the power point, but it depends on the electrical safety standards of your country. I don't know yours, so I'll skip it.)
Oh, and before you handle any part of your computer internals or your new drive, ground yourself and your electronics. I work on the kitchen bench near the sink and regularly ground everything by touching the sink first, then both the gear (eg the casing) and the sink simultaneously. I also wear bare feet - in a home environment socks and synthetic soled shoes can cause static build up in your body which can fry any electronics you touch. You can buy earthing wrist straps and other stuff, but for a one-off at home like you're doing I don't think it's necessary.
(Edited to add bits as I thought of them
)
AA
Be careful of how "off" your computer is when it appears to be switched off. Newer boxes are software controlled and even though they appear to be off are still live at some point. eg To turn mine completely off, I have to push and hold the power button for 10 seconds - a normal push and release only suspends the computer, leaving it partially powered for a quick resume. Best to unplug it from the power supply completely. (There is room for discussion here re earthing back to the power point, but it depends on the electrical safety standards of your country. I don't know yours, so I'll skip it.)
Oh, and before you handle any part of your computer internals or your new drive, ground yourself and your electronics. I work on the kitchen bench near the sink and regularly ground everything by touching the sink first, then both the gear (eg the casing) and the sink simultaneously. I also wear bare feet - in a home environment socks and synthetic soled shoes can cause static build up in your body which can fry any electronics you touch. You can buy earthing wrist straps and other stuff, but for a one-off at home like you're doing I don't think it's necessary.
(Edited to add bits as I thought of them
)AA
Last edited by Ausatco; 18th May 2003 at 09:20.
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Would just echo timmcat about the software. Used is quite a lot and never had a problem.
As one of my previous jobs/current hobbies is radio electronics I have a full anti-static set-up. I can't use this area for computer mods as it is full of radio gear so...all the mods are done on a standard kitchen work surface - or if i'm lazy on a cotton sheet on the bed.
Before you stick a screwdriver near the hd touch the (clean) metal frame with the blade and your hand. This will equalise the differences in potential and so reduce the possibility of static damage.
One last point, NO scratching or rubbing of head or other hairy places whilst doing the job!
As one of my previous jobs/current hobbies is radio electronics I have a full anti-static set-up. I can't use this area for computer mods as it is full of radio gear so...all the mods are done on a standard kitchen work surface - or if i'm lazy on a cotton sheet on the bed.
Before you stick a screwdriver near the hd touch the (clean) metal frame with the blade and your hand. This will equalise the differences in potential and so reduce the possibility of static damage.
One last point, NO scratching or rubbing of head or other hairy places whilst doing the job!
Plastic PPRuNer
Flybye - I don't mean to sound carping, but it would really help if we had a bit more info on the PC in question. I think we can assume by now it's not a laptop.
Things like age, make, CPU, memory, BIOS date (very important, because older BIOSes may not cope with large HDDs)[see it briefly on the screen at bootup], current and new HDD size/make, memory, peripherals fitted CD-ROM/Zip/etc.), operating system and so forth.
Cloning a drive isn't difficult (at least with 95/98) and several of us could talk you through step-by-step but if you're unsure 30 quid may be the best answer.
Things like age, make, CPU, memory, BIOS date (very important, because older BIOSes may not cope with large HDDs)[see it briefly on the screen at bootup], current and new HDD size/make, memory, peripherals fitted CD-ROM/Zip/etc.), operating system and so forth.
Cloning a drive isn't difficult (at least with 95/98) and several of us could talk you through step-by-step but if you're unsure 30 quid may be the best answer.
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Goodness, FbW, this is one of the most frequently discussed issues in this Forum and you really should spend some time browsing.
Search using the keyword "Partition" and go back at least 6 months. The answers don't change.
You will find, inter alia the following thread:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...ight=Partition
The answer to your question is to put both HDs in the same PC and use Partition Magic or something similar to clone the drive. It'll take time and require concentration. But its very straightforward.
Search using the keyword "Partition" and go back at least 6 months. The answers don't change.
You will find, inter alia the following thread:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...ight=Partition
The answer to your question is to put both HDs in the same PC and use Partition Magic or something similar to clone the drive. It'll take time and require concentration. But its very straightforward.
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FOBOTCSO..........this is for you
Two computers, side by side.....C2 &C1
I want to suck all the contents of the HD of C2 onto the HD of C1
I will then replace the HD of C2 with a new HD
I then want to send all the previously stored contents of C2, which is now on C1, back to the new HD on C2
GOT IT ?
If I want to install a 2nd HD I will. If I want to partition HD's I will. If I want to temporarily connect a HD I will
I do not wish to do any of the above........hence the question
Regards
FBW
Two computers, side by side.....C2 &C1
I want to suck all the contents of the HD of C2 onto the HD of C1
I will then replace the HD of C2 with a new HD
I then want to send all the previously stored contents of C2, which is now on C1, back to the new HD on C2
GOT IT ?
If I want to install a 2nd HD I will. If I want to partition HD's I will. If I want to temporarily connect a HD I will
I do not wish to do any of the above........hence the question
Regards
FBW
Firstly FBW, no need to shout at somebody that's offering advice. It's what you're asking for, no?
Secondly, you are asking us how to implement a solution, not stating the problem.
If the problem is "running out of disk space", then almost any of the offered suggestions will be less grief than setting up a network, hoovering the data (which data?), getting a new drive, re-installing the OS, applications and network, and copying the data back again.
As an IT consultant my first response to 90% of queries is to ask "yes, but what are you actually trying to do?"
Secondly, you are asking us how to implement a solution, not stating the problem.
If the problem is "running out of disk space", then almost any of the offered suggestions will be less grief than setting up a network, hoovering the data (which data?), getting a new drive, re-installing the OS, applications and network, and copying the data back again.
As an IT consultant my first response to 90% of queries is to ask "yes, but what are you actually trying to do?"
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25F.................
Correct.............there isn't a problem
That's what I want to do. C1 is running XP pro. C2 will always be a different computer running a Windows OS
Secondly, you are asking us how to implement a solution, not stating the problem.
Correct.............there isn't a problem
Two computers, side by side.....C2 &C1
I want to suck all the contents of the HD of C2 onto the HD of C1
I will then replace the HD of C2 with a new HD
I then want to send all the previously stored contents of C2, which is now on C1, back to the new HD on C2
I want to suck all the contents of the HD of C2 onto the HD of C1
I will then replace the HD of C2 with a new HD
I then want to send all the previously stored contents of C2, which is now on C1, back to the new HD on C2
That's what I want to do. C1 is running XP pro. C2 will always be a different computer running a Windows OS
Last edited by Flybywyre; 20th May 2003 at 19:09.