New
#1
Reinstall Windows to New HDD
Twice in the past I've used Seagate DiskWizard (a stripped down version of Acronis True Image) to clone the old drive into a bigger new drive without a hitch.
This time, thanks to a couple glitches, slow shut down and start up, and wanting to have the OS and programs on one partition and data on another, I've been thinking about reinstalling windows to a new bigger, drive without cloning.
A couple questions.
- First off, unlike XP where you could have all of the OS and programs on C: and data on D: drive, what about the appdata folder? One of, if not the most attractive advantages, of having the dual partitions, is to quickly "reinstall" windows in case of corruption or viruses, leaving D: drive intact.
- Once I partition the new drive and install windows without any programs, other than what's on the installation disk, do all my updates including sp1 (ugh) and move the users to a new partition, how much space will I need to make a backup?
- Should I back it up to a recovery partition on the new drive? Using windows, or Dell recovery? Or, would it be best to image it to an external HDD.
After that's done, I'll install my major programs, and make another image to an external drive.
- At this point, before wiping my old drive of it's contents, can I attach it even though it still has windows on it and use Karen's Replicator to move my documents to the new drive?
- If I don't have the time or patience to complete the reinstallation, or need a break before all is said and done, or have to use my laptop before it's totally back together, can I swap out the new drive, back to the old and use the laptop?
Anything else I should think of?
If you have any answer, please use the list number, so i don't become more confused than I already am.