Complete backup and shift to new HDD

CapnLuffy · 17 Jul 2011

My plans were continuously changing for the past 12 hours or so. But now I've finally decided to go ahead with it.

I'm getting a new HDD this week, and my current hdd contains a recent install of windows 7. I've got all the initial updates and installed all the important things needed to run for the few days. I first thought I'd do a fresh install of windows on my new HDD but I've decided against that.

I've read some articles, from them I've gathered the basic information that I can use the image backup to restore the settings on a new harddrive? Do I need to install windows there, then restore the image backup? Or is there any other way to shift my current windows without re-installing everything on the new hdd.

theog · 17 Jul 2011

You can use the base of this Tutorial:
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

Can you post your specs.
Filling out System Specs
Dont Know What Hardware You Have..??
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

CapnLuffy · 17 Jul 2011

Processor: Intel core i3 530
Motherboard: Intel Corporation DH55TC
Ram: 4gb DDR3
Graphic card: Nvdia geforce 9600

I have two harddrives, one is 150gb and another is 300gb. I'm not so sure but I think they are western digital

whs · 17 Jul 2011

If you image the partitions from your current drive (e.g. to an external disk or your other internal - space permitting), you need to do 2 things:

1. Define partitions on the new drive that are equal or bigger than the imaged partitions. You can do that with the bootable CD of Partition Wizard (last entry on the webpage). For that you need no operational OS. Else you use Disk Management.

2. Restore the imaged partitions using the Restore CD which you burnt from the imaging programs. I recommend to use free Macrium or free Paragon. Stay away from Win7 imaging. Imaging with free Macrium

theog · 17 Jul 2011

If you have a OEM manufacturer's PC like Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony, etc.
Did you make your Recovery Disks?

CapnLuffy · 17 Jul 2011

whs said:

If you image the partitions from your current drive (e.g. to an external disk or your other internal - space permitting), you need to do 2 things:

1. Define partitions on the new drive that are equal or bigger than the imaged partitions. You can do that with the bootable CD of Partition Wizard (last entry on the webpage). For that you need no operational OS. Else you use Disk Management.

2. Restore the imaged partitions using the Restore CD which you burnt from the imaging programs. I recommend to use free Macrium or free Paragon. Stay away from Win7 imaging. Imaging with free Macrium

1 - I download the software, burn it to a cd and use it before I install the OS or can I just download the bootable cd to a external hd? to create partitions on the new drive is that right? (it'll be a bigger than the imaged partitions)

2 - So I should save the imaged partitions in a cd? Would an external hard drive work? Does the win7 imaging program cause problems? Just asking as that is how I plan to keep backups of my system after shift to new hdd (just had a recent data loss, so am kinda really cautious now)

theog said:

If you have a OEM manufacturer's PC like Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony, etc.
Did you make your Recovery Disks?

Its not an OEM manufacturer's pc, and I haven't yet made a recovery disk.

whs · 17 Jul 2011

1. The bootable CD .iso you have to burn to a CD. This you use later to load Partition Wizard from the CD reader (have to change the BIOS boot order unless the CD reader is always first on your system). Test the CD after you burnt it to make sure it works.

2. You must use a hard drive (ecternal or internal other than the one from where you image). CDs are no good - you would need a few packs.

CapnLuffy · 17 Jul 2011

whs said:

1. The bootable CD .iso you have to burn to a CD. This you use later to load Partition Wizard from the CD reader (have to change the BIOS boot order unless the CD reader is always first on your system). Test the CD after you burnt it to make sure it works.

2. You must use a hard drive (ecternal or internal other than the one from where you image). CDs are no good - you would need a few packs.

1 - Aha, so I burn it (using nero mostly?) and check if it works. I think my system has cd reader as first, but how do I make sure?

2 - I will be using a external hdd, so if I get this right

1 - Make an image using Macrium,
2 - Remove all current HDD's, put the new HDD.
3 - Load the parition wizard from the cd
4 - Create a larger or same size partition (do I also need to create the 100mb partition or is that done automatically?)
5 - Restore via Macrium (is there a tutorial for restoration? Should I just put in the rescue cd and then restore?)

My final question, is it better to re-install the OS all-together? Since currently, I decided to change the HDD due to recent problems. My C/ is just windows and its updates (antivirus software, and skype) but I can re-install my av and skype and all the other softwares which I need later. So, considering its just fresh without much data whats the better option?

Thanks for all the help :)

whs · 17 Jul 2011

1. It is easy to make sure - turn the PC off. Put the CD into the CD reader, close the reader and power on the PC. If it wants to boot from CD, there will be a message :" Press any key ..." on the top right of the screen. Press the space bar and let it boot. Go thru a couple of steps of the recovery disk and then cancel. If that works, you are OK.

If it does not boot, you have to go into the BIOS boot menu and set it to the CD drive as first boot device.

2.
Your 2.1 is OK
Your 2.2. is not necessary
Your 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 is OK
Here is a video tutorial I made. It also covers the recovery part: Imaging with free Macrium

When you image and reinstall from the image, you get exactly the same system as it was when you took the image. No need to reinstall anything. If you have other partitions, you can image and reinstall those too (in case of the hidden 100MB active partition, this is compulsory. Else you will have no bootmgr). I suggest you post a picture of your disk management so that we can have a look. This is especially important since we must make sure what your status is regarding the 100MB active partition. If that is present, you need more guidance.

CapnLuffy · 17 Jul 2011

That is the disk management screenshot.

Thanks for all the help, once again :) You just made my life easier and i've confirmed my decision of just doing a image restore and not a full re-install. Thanks a lot, really!

Edit: That screenshot...it made me realize my time is set wrong -.-

Edit: I saw on your tutorial, about it not restoring from a USB3 attached disk. But my seagate external hdd is mostly usb3 (or am I wrong?)

Nvm with the external hdd usb3 problem. I can save the image backup on an internal drive and then select from that for restoring right? I just need to make sure that the backup is not on the same drive in which I'm restoring. So that issue is sorted out, I've provided the screenshot you asked for.