Just got a new 2T HDD - easiest way to transfer all media from 500g?

[JohnnyScience]

Ok heres the setup:

OS: 80g HDD
Media: 500g HDD

New Media HDD: 2T

So this is what I want to do, move my entire media HDD to the new 2T HDD.

Then I want to move the entire OS HDD to the 500g old media HDD.

I've got everything all hooked up now & am just about to format the 2T HDD.

So whats the easiest way to transfer that much data with out losing anything?

Just want to be safe.

And yes I do have everything backed up already.

Thanks.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Which option do I want to pick for formating this new HDD?

 

[Brink]

Hello Johnny,

You would select the New Simple Volume option to format and create a partition with it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Enjoy your new HDD mate.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Hello Johnny,

You would select the New Simple Volume option to format and create a partition with it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Enjoy your new HDD mate.

Awesome thanks, its formating now.

Any idea on the overall moving of the data?

 

[youllbelost]

Acronis Migrate Easy a cool software for your purpose.

Or there is Norton Ghost

 

[gregrocker]

I would just drag data over via Explorer in chunks.

Once you verify (by size) that everything is copied, wipe the 500gb HD before clean reinstalling or applying a Win7 backup image to it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

You can save a backup image to the new data drive, then unplug the 80gb, boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair cd, choose "Recover Using an Image" to apply the stored image to the 500gb.

If this doesn't work correctly, Macrium Reflect and Paragon Backup 10 free editions offer more options for imaging, while both WD and Seagate offer free versions of Acronis to either clone or reimage the OS:
Macrium Reflect Free - Reviews and free Macrium Reflect Free downloads at Download.com
Paragon Backup & Recovery 2010 Free Advanced - Free Download
WD Support
| Seagate

 

[JohnnyScience]

I would just drag data over via Explorer in chunks.

Once you verify (by size) that everything is copied, wipe the 500gb HD before clean reinstalling or applying a Win7 backup image to it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

You can save a backup image to the new data drive, then unplug the 80gb, boot the Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair cd, choose "Recover Using an Image" to apply the stored image to the 500gb.

If this doesn't work correctly, Macrium Reflect and Paragon Backup 10 free editions offer more options for imaging, while both WD and Seagate offer free versions of Acronis to either clone or reimage the OS:
Macrium Reflect Free - Reviews and free Macrium Reflect Free downloads at Download.com
Paragon Backup & Recovery 2010 Free Advanced - Free Download
WD Support
| Seagate

I have Paragon... should I just use that to transfer the data via "Backing up"?

 

[arkhi]

Honestly, I would do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html . I would also use that ability to create a system repair disk if needed. Then I'll boot my PC using that repair disk, and follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

This way every thing from the whole HDD down from the last sector gets copied. Plus it's faster too as the heads don't need to go back and forth having to copy data to the MFT and the data clusters.

 

[gregrocker]

I have Paragon... should I just use that to transfer the data via "Backing up"?

I like to drag the data over so it maintains the same file structure. But you can test Paragon backup function to see if it will do what you want.

It can reimage Win7 to 500gb, too.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Is there anything wrong with doing a "Quick Format"?

I unchecked it and it was just taking wayyy too long because its 2T.

But are there any disadvantages to using quick format? I'm just formatting the entire thing as one big partition...

 

[JohnnyScience]

Honestly, I would do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html . I would also use that ability to create a system repair disk if needed. Then I'll boot my PC using that repair disk, and follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

This way every thing from the whole HDD down from the last sector gets copied. Plus it's faster too as the heads don't need to go back and forth having to copy data to the MFT and the data clusters.

I'm not actually trying to make an iso backup, but move the entire HDD to a large one...

 

[JohnnyScience]

I have Paragon... should I just use that to transfer the data via "Backing up"?

I like to drag the data over so it maintains the same file structure. But you can test Paragon backup function to see if it will do what you want.

It can reimage Win7 to 500gb, too.

I just realized that using Paragon takes the HDD size from 465 down to 363... so clearly its condensing something some how... not how I wanted.

I'll just move it as chunks as you suggested.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Is there anything wrong with doing a "Quick Format"?

I unchecked it and it was just taking wayyy too long because its 2T.

But are there any disadvantages to using quick format? I'm just formatting the entire thing as one big partition.

 

[gregrocker]

Honestly, I would do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html . I would also use that ability to create a system repair disk if needed. Then I'll boot my PC using that repair disk, and follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

This way every thing from the whole HDD down from the last sector gets copied. Plus it's faster too as the heads don't need to go back and forth having to copy data to the MFT and the data clusters.

I'm not actually trying to make an iso backup, but move the entire HDD to a large one...

I think he's referring to the part where you want to move Win7 from the 80gb to 500gb. With built-in imaging, having to reinstall is a thing of the past.

Since you already have Paragon, it's imaging function will likely serve you better than Win7's as it is more flexible. You may need to do a few Startup Repairs if the MBR is copied correctly, however. Still saves a lot of time and you're up and running with your same install.

Is there anything wrong with doing a "Quick Format"?

I unchecked it and it was just taking wayyy too long because its 2T.

But are there any disadvantages to using quick format? I'm just formatting the entire thing as one big partition.

If Disk Management doesn't want to initialize the HD, then Create and Quick format is fine. Make sure it doesn't get marked Active.

 

[JohnnyScience]

Honestly, I would do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html . I would also use that ability to create a system repair disk if needed. Then I'll boot my PC using that repair disk, and follow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

If Disk Management doesn't want to initialize the HD, then Create and Quick format is fine. Make sure it doesn't get marked Active.

No it was initializing, but after like an hour it was only 14%... so I figured it would take over a day. I did the quick format & it took like a minute...

So if I'm going to use Paragon to move the OS, how do I go about it? I just create a regular backup and it will make an iso for me to use? I guess I'm a bit confused on this step...

 

[gregrocker]

Create a System image backup from your Paragon Backup program, stored to your new data drive.

Be sure to have it include the MBR plus the 100mb System Reserved boot partition if you have it.

Make a Paragon Boot Disk to use to apply the image.

Then unplug the 80gb source HD and plug in the 500gb target HD, boot the Paragon Boot disk, select to reimage the 500gb HD, it should autodetect the image on storage drive, offer options including any special partitioning you want, then apply the image to the target drive in minutes.

You can also try a Win7 backup image which uses the Win7 DVD Repair console to reimage. Here's how: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[JohnnyScience]

Create a System image backup from your Paragon Backup program, stored to your new data drive.

Be sure to have it include the MBR plus the 100mb System Reserved boot partition if you have it.

Make a Paragon Boot Disk to use to apply the image.

Then unplug the 80gb source HD and plug in the 500gb target HD, boot the Paragon Boot disk, select to reimage the 500gb HD, it should autodetect the image on storage drive, offer options including any special partitioning you want, then apply the image to the target drive in minutes.

You can also try a Win7 backup image which uses the Win7 DVD Repair console to reimage. Here's how: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Ok, can I use a cd-rw for the image backup, or will I need a dvd? (I dont have one)

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need a CD to make the Paragon Boot Disk, which you boot to reimage the HD from the stored image.

But the image file itself is too big to put on disks so it needs to be stored on your new Storage HD.

Remember you can use either built-in Win7 Backup Imaging or Paragon Backup. Read the tutorial I've now linked you to twice for the Win7 imaging process so you understand it better.

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

Open the Paragon program then click on the help tab read the typical scenarios section which will explain Backup and restore methods then read the getting started > Building recovery media & Booting from the Linux/DOS Recovery Media (the recovery media disk you created) then when you are ready to perform your backup start the backup program & back up your current C (80 gb) Drive to another separate drive, an external drive is essential for this task as you would still be able to restore your system from the recovery media in case of a drive failure or windows not booting properly.

After you have made your backup you have 2 options to restore.

Option one, open paragon then restore your backup to the new bigger drive and after a few minutes your computer will restart and the paragon program will finish the backup then reboot into your newly restored drive.

Option two - insert the recovery media into your DVD drive, reboot computer, set dvd drive to boot first in bios or boot order key. After DVD has started paragon program select restore option then browse to the drive you want to restore to (it will not have a letter only a zero or one but will have the size listed) pick the drive size that matches the drive you are restoring to. After the backup has completed and you have removed the DVD from the drive reboot the computer into your new installation.

It is a good idea to verify both your back up and restore to ensure success.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
Why not use something like Acronis and just CLONE the existing drive on to your new one.

You can dynamically change the partition size afterwards if you want by using GPARTED or several other free partitioning tools.

The problem with "Imaging" the 500 GB disk and then restoring that to your new drive where you can specify the parition size at the outset is you'll need to save the image somewhere OTHER than your new disk.

If you've got say a 250 / 320 GB usb drive handy you could save your 500 GB partition to this drive at maximum compression and then restore to your new drive.

Cheers
jimbo