New Hard drive reinstall question.

billberry12

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My hard drive is failing the SMART test. I have been receiving errors on startup, so I have ordered a new hard drive. I know how to do a clean install with W7. My question is, isn't there an easier way to get everything from my dying HD over to my new HD?

I really don't want to have to load and update all my software on the new HD.

Suggestions?
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Vostro 3750
OS
Windows 7 Professional
CPU
Core I5
Memory
8GB
Hard Drives
Seagate 600 240GB SSD
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Chrome, IE, Firfox
I also need to know this.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit OEM
CPU
i5 quad
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
550ti
Hard Drives
128gb SSD, 1x 1tb Hybrid, 3 x 4tb HHD
What is the difference in cloning a hard drive versus creating an image of a hard drive?
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Vostro 3750
OS
Windows 7 Professional
CPU
Core I5
Memory
8GB
Hard Drives
Seagate 600 240GB SSD
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Chrome, IE, Firfox
What is the difference in cloning a hard drive versus creating an image of a hard drive?

Cloning is a transfer in real time from one drive to another. It's usually done when replacing a hard drive and is not a "backup" as normally understood. It's normally done when things are working well and you want to change hard drives.

Imaging is a backup and consists of making an image file of one or more partitions, storing that image file on some other drive, and then "restoring" that image file to the original or new hard drive at some later date. The restore process is done in a semi-emergency situation when things are NOT working well. You make the image when things are going well, but restore only when things have gone seriously downhill for whatever reason. If you make the image file in January and restore in July, your system reverts to the January status, unlike cloning.

Imaging is more common because it's a backup you can fall back on when in a jam, unlike cloning.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
My hard drive is failing the SMART test. I have been receiving errors on startup, so I have ordered a new hard drive. I know how to do a clean install with W7. My question is, isn't there an easier way to get everything from my dying HD over to my new HD?

I really don't want to have to load and update all my software on the new HD.

Suggestions?

1. run chkdsk X: /R on each and every "drive" on the hard disk.
you substitute the appropriate drive letter for X

2. If any drive doesn't come error-free, then run chkdsk on that drive again.

After doing that then run the script I'm including and attach the resulting file to your next post.

The objective here is to determine if making a system image is a feasible approach.

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

PHP:
# ************************************************************
# Places CHKDSKLOGS.txt on your DESKTOP
# Results of running chkdsk (check disk) are in ChkDskLogs.txt
# ************************************************************

$obj = new-object -typename psobject
$events = get-winevent -filterhashtable @{logname='application';id=1001,26212,26214} -verbose:$false -ea:silentlycontinue |
where {($_.providername -ne 'Microsoft-Windows-LoadPerf') -and ($_.providername -ne 'Windows Error Reporting')} |
sort-object -property timecreated -desc 
If ($events -eq $Null) {$events = "No check disk logs exist." } ELSE {
$obj = $events | SELECT timecreated, id, message }

$obj | ft -auto -wrap > $env:userprofile\desktop\CHKDSKLOGS.TXT

EXIT
EXIT

# ************************************************************
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite S875D-S7239 laptop
OS
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
CPU
AMD A10-4600M
Motherboard
AMD Pumori (Socket FT1)
Memory
6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-12-28)
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor (1600x900@60Hz)
Screen Resolution
1600x900@60Hz
Hard Drives
SSD 119GB Corsair CSSD-V128GB2 ATA Device
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
HP Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse Model FHA-3410
Internet Speed
What the local pub, local coffee shop offers.
Other Info
Optical Drive:MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ160B ATA Device


Also have an Asus ha1002xp netbook with Win 7 Ultimate installed.
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