Hard drive failing? Cleanest option to transfer everything to new HDD?

[Robwan]

Hi,

I have a very funny feeling my hard drive may be failing, today I was working normally on my computer (nothing intensive) and the colours suddenly went a bit messed up, it went into windows basic colour scheme too. I have gpu and cpu meters and I noticed both of them shot up when this happened. I got worried, saved all my work and restarted immediately, it started ok.

When It happened I could have sworn I heard a very faint screaming sound coming from possibly the hdd and now I am noticing some clicking sounds (after restarting) but tbh they are quiet and maybe I'm just noticing them because I'm thinking about.

Also I just got a new gpu which is much quieter so maybe I'm hearing more now.

The clicking noises (which I'm still not sure if where there before) are coming from the hdd, as I've unplugged the gpu and started up and I could definitely hear them from the hdd)


Although it appears to be running ok now. I would like to know the cleanest and simplest way to clone my hdd to another a new hdd so I can simply carry on using my windows with all the software as it was.....just in case it does fail. I've backed up anything important so its not the end if goes pop right now.....i hope it doesn't though kinda need my pc.


Also I havn't got round to changing my info, this is about my desktop not laptop.

i7 920 OC 3.4
corsair 650w
gtx 580
6g ram
gigabyte mobo

Its all over 3 years old bar the gpu which is day old.

Any help is appreciated thanks

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Many here use Macrium to clone drives, you'll also have success with Acronis which I use or Apricorn EZ-Gig. Whatever you do you would be advised to clone or back up vital data ASAP. Good Luck !

 

[matts6887]

I concur with linne; in a situation like this; backup important stuff immediately; preferably to a external source such as a external usb hard drive.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You may want to read and watch this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[jumanji]

Since you have already backed up all your data, I would say a clean install will be the best. Of course you have to groom it again and install all the software but worth it. There are people who do a clean install periodically to keep their system spic-and-span and top-notch operating condition.

 

[Robwan]

Ok got it, thanks for your help people

 

[madcratebuilder]

Have you checked the SMART data on the HDD? It may not be anything HDD related that you are experiencing.