I want to switch my win7 ult image/backup drive to a larger one

I have a 320GB image/backup drive giving me 'low free space', and want to replace it with a 500GB drive. I thought I could just copy/paste the files into the 500GB drive but they are not there (o byte files). Tried researching for hours but all I could find was info on how to install an image to a new win 7 drive. I want to INCREASE the existing image/backup drive. Can't find any help on this. I do not want to install it, reimage the win7 drive, I want to 'merge' the current image/backups onto the 500GB drive and continue its records. Is it possible?

clone the drive then you at least have a copy so if you mess you have another copy if you have it set to overwrite the old backup and its done that and run out of space that could do it

samuria said:

clone the drive then you at least have a copy so if you mess you have another copy if you have it set to overwrite the old backup and its done that and run out of space that could do it

samurai, can I clone an image/backup drive to the new drive? Then can I check the drive and see if it is working (see if the data moved in drive properties)? If the data moved bit for bit, it will work correctly? OR, is there a data bit/byte set that would flag because it isn't the same HD name/number/capacity/serial#? I do not want to lose the image and all the sequential backups, otherwise I would just have to reimage and restart sequential backups from now. That is something I am trying to avoid. Also, in all my years of 'using' computers I have never run into this and do not want to screw it up. Thanks for all your help to date!

Mega7User said:

samuria said:

clone the drive then you at least have a copy so if you mess you have another copy if you have it set to overwrite the old backup and its done that and run out of space that could do it

samurai, can I clone an image/backup drive to the new drive? Then can I check the drive and see if it is working (see if the data moved in drive properties)? If the data moved bit for bit, it will work correctly? OR, is there a data bit/byte set that would flag because it isn't the same HD name/number/capacity/serial#? I do not want to lose the image and all the sequential backups, otherwise I would just have to reimage and restart sequential backups from now. That is something I am trying to avoid. Also, in all my years of 'using' computers I have never run into this and do not want to screw it up. Thanks for all your help to date!

For Clone and Image, both work differently.

Image is copy everything to 1 file.

Clone is do a exact sector by sector copy.
It is not copying data, as what you think is.
It do not check or verify any data.

Both Image and Clone is doing on 1 partition of the HDD.

Some software Clone is based on the whole HDD to HDD, mostly for commercial use.

Mini Tools Partition is based on Clone partition.
I prefer to use this for cloning job and using as outside Windows; standalone & bootable.

Macrium Reflect Clone is by HDD.


Cloning will resolve your problem in copying files by files.
Also the timing could be faster than copying, as this depend on the system.

Image have 2 steps.
Step 1: Backup.
Step 2: Restore.

As for cloning from 320 GB HDD to 500 GB HDD.
Mini Tools Partition Wizard will copy the full 320 GB partition(s) to 500 GB HDD.
After completed, it can be resize to occupy the full 500 GB of the HDD storage.

I used Mini Tools Partition Wizard bootable version.
This software is not install in my laptop, since bootable version is available.

Software is available and free.
There are bootable version too.
It is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

To create a bootable version, use this free USB boot disc.
Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way


Your decision.


Regards
Eric.

RolandJS said:

I've cloned a smaller hard-drive onto a larger one -- all went ok as far as data folders, files, images, etc. went. There was a weird unallocated space suddenly show up, which I cured. I think your cloning will work.

I think I may be confusing somewhat. The drive I need to replace is the SEPARATE backup/image drive, to a larger drive. It is not any normal NTFS data drive as it contains the backups/image for a total restoration of my system OS drive. I can resize any unallocated space easily but I have to know the backups/image (of OS) data on the 320GB is going to work and continue to be updated on the 500GB drive.

Eric3742 said:

For Clone and Image, both work differently.

Image is copy everything to 1 file.

Clone is do a exact sector by sector copy.
It is not copying data, as what you think is.
It do not check or verify any data.

Both Image and Clone is doing on 1 partition of the HDD.

Some software Clone is based on the whole HDD to HDD, mostly for commercial use.

Mini Tools Partition is based on Clone partition.
I prefer to use this for cloning job and using as outside Windows; standalone & bootable.

Macrium Reflect Clone is by HDD.


Cloning will resolve your problem in copying files by files.
Also the timing could be faster than copying, as this depend on the system.

Image have 2 steps.
Step 1: Backup.
Step 2: Restore.

As for cloning from 320 GB HDD to 500 GB HDD.
Mini Tools Partition Wizard will copy the full 320 GB partition(s) to 500 GB HDD.
After completed, it can be resize to occupy the full 500 GB of the HDD storage.

I used Mini Tools Partition Wizard bootable version.
This software is not install in my laptop, since bootable version is available.

Software is available and free.
There are bootable version too.
It is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows.

Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

To create a bootable version, use this free USB boot disc.
Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way


Your decision.


Regards
Eric.

Eric, As you can see by my reply to RolandJS, I need to know that a 'clone' of the backups/image drive will successfully work, allowing me to continue adding updates to existing backups/image files. The 'full' drive that I am getting flagged on is the backups/image drive. I want to change it out to a 500GB (current is 350GB). Having never done this type of replacement, I want to do it correctly the first time. Otherwise, I lose my original image, and all subsequent backups to the OS drive. Did I clarify correctly?

Is there ANYONE who knows how to 'replace' the backup/image drive, so that the data on that drive isn't lost (and continuous)? To date, I am unable to install a bigger drive (do not wish to lose all the history on the old drive). PLEASE make sure you fully understand what I am trying to do, as replies SOMETIMES doesn't quite get the message due to my inability to correctly communicate my needs.

I appreciate any replies, I want to be sure my historical data is preserved and accessible!

Mega7User said:

Is there ANYONE who knows how to 'replace' the backup/image drive, so that the data on that drive isn't lost (and continuous)? To date, I am unable to install a bigger drive (do not wish to lose all the history on the old drive). PLEASE make sure you fully understand what I am trying to do, as replies SOMETIMES doesn't quite get the message due to my inability to correctly communicate my needs.

I appreciate any replies, I want to be sure my historical data is preserved and accessible!

:) Closed as 'solved' since asked/solved in this linked forum after limited input from here ( SWAP backup/image drive to larger 1 WITHOUT losing data ). Decided to just save the drive and install the larger drive, re-imaging and backing up from the start of its installation (instead of trying to 'merge' the original image/sequential backups data). :)