Imaging "C:\"

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 208
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    Imaging "C:\"


    First I must apologise if this is in the wrong forum and I will repost if necessary.

    I have two HDDs in my computer. The boot drive "C:" is a Samsung HD103SI running at 5,400 rpm and connected to SATA1. Second drive "F:" is a Samsung HD103UJ running at 7,200 rpm and connected to SATA2.

    Will I gain much by using the 7,220 HDD as the boot drive instead of the 5,400 HDD?

    Am I correct in assuming that all I basically need to do is to format drive "F:", create an image of drive "C:" onto it and swap the SATA leads over?

    Any help and advice will be most gratefully accepted and acknowledged.
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    You don't need to format the target HD as there is formatting already on the image. You want unallocated space, or wipe the HD first: Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

    If your image is stored on external as is common, you can disconnect the source HD and plug target HD into SATA1 or DISK0, set it first to boot in BIOS Setup after CD/DVD drive. Otherwise save image to a Primary partition on source HD and leave it plugged in as secondary HD.

    Boot the 7 DVD, REpair CD, or other imaging boot disk to reimage from external or source HD partition to target HD. System Image Recovery
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 208
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you for your kind response gregrocker.

    I have decided to format drive F: (there's nothing worth keeping on it). Using Macrium reflect, I will then image drive C: onto F: and make it bootable. I will then restart, go into BIOS, reset the boot order and reboot. Provided all is OK after a couple of weeks running, I'll then format what is now C: and use it for something else.

    Thanks again for taking the time to help me.
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Just delete F in Disk Mgmt to prepare it for imaging. Formatting is the term for preparing partition for an install and is not used for preparing for imaging, since the image already contains formatting. You want a deleted or wiped HD or partition unallocated space for reimaging onto.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 208
    Windows 7 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ah, light dawns!! Now I understand!

    Also....

    When I said "imaging" I should have said "cloning" which, with Macrium will make the disk bootable.

    Thanks again Gregrocker.
      My Computer

  6.    #6

    I don't know if Macrium has a cloning feature as do the WD and Seagate free Premium Acronis apps. But imaging will work fine if that's all you've got.
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7

    Don't forget to image and restore the 100MB system partition too. Free Macrium has no "cloning" facility as such.

    You might even want to consider using the Windows7 imaging because that transports the 100MB system partition automatically.

    I am usually not a real friend of Windows7 imaging, but in this particular case it may be more practical.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #8

    Free Macrium v5 has cloning.

    Imaging "C:\"-screenshot65_2011-12-05.png
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,781
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
       #9

    It always depends on the definition of cloning - some say cloning is a direct disk-to-disk copy.

    Others, myself included, think of it as either directly copying or imaging a partition but in its entirety, with all sectors, regardless of whether they're used or unused by the filesystem on that partition.

    To my knowledge, all versions of Macrium can do the latter (simply by not using "intelligent copy").
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #10

    In "macrium Speak" cloning is copying disk to disk but as you say you have the option of "intelligent copy" (much faster if there is not much on the disk) or sector by sector.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 19:06.
Find Us