Solved SWAP backup/image drive to larger 1 WITHOUT losing data

[Mega7User]

Posted in backup/restore forum ( http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...mage-backup-drive-larger-one.html#post3300254 ) BUT seems that post went dead without a resolution(?) Simply put, Win 7 Ult with 3 HDD's, 'E' drive is now FULL with an image and backups. Need to increase the drive size but do not know how to without LOSING the complete record on the old drive. IF cloning it will work, I have Easus PM Pro (which I believe can accomplish the cloning task) BUT am not positive the data will be usable (is there some kind of data trail assigned to that data [drive] that would fail a recovery [if moved to a larger drive] due to it not being the original drive it was saved to). So, seeing as this forum is about hardware, and HDD's are hardware, I am hoping someone has done this before, and it was successful?

 

[samuria]

A clone is a exact copy of the drive so if you clone it it will work and should give you the option to grow the partition on the new drive

 

[Mega7User]

A clone is a exact copy of the drive so if you clone it it will work and should give you the option to grow the partition on the new drive

And I thank you again for your reply, both here and in the first post. I will break down the tower and swap the drives in the next couple of days. Just for us, I did not dismiss your first reply in the other post, I just wanted to be sure I didn't feck up my original image and history. Much appreciate your help! All I have to do is review the PM Pro software, it has been quite a while since I opened that proggie. Yeah, quite a few years that's for sure...

 

[Megahertz07]

People here use Macrium - Macrium Reflect Free
Seems to be very good. And is free.

 

[Wandering one]

For future consideration. I use Macrium free to image to a USB HDD. Depending on what is connected the drive letter can go anywhere from J - M. All I do is select where to send image or where to restore from (never seems to be the same place) and all works perfectly.
Art.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I learned the hard way you can't clone from an MBR drive to a GPT drive without the GPT drive being converted to MBR. This would be a problem if the GPT drive was larger than 2.2TB since 2.2TB is the upper limit for MBR.

 

[Eric3742]

I learned the hard way you can't clone from an MBR drive to a GPT drive without the GPT drive being converted to MBR. This would be a problem if the GPT drive was larger than 2.2TB since 2.2TB is the upper limit for MBR.

Agreed on this one.

Avoid using HDD more than 2TB for Windows OS.

Did tried to clone from 500GB HDD to 3TB HDD cause error.

There may have other issue too, as i found out a bit too late;
As had to redo all the backup again.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I learned the hard way you can't clone from an MBR drive to a GPT drive without the GPT drive being converted to MBR. This would be a problem if the GPT drive was larger than 2.2TB since 2.2TB is the upper limit for MBR.

Agreed on this one.

Avoid using HDD more than 2TB for Windows OS.

Did tried to clone from 500GB HDD to 3TB HDD cause error.

There may have other issue too, as i found out a bit too late;
As had to redo all the backup again.

The drive I found this out on is not an OS drive.

 

[RolandJS]

Mega7User, the only small glitch you might run into: pretend you used Macrium Reflect [to make this easier to explain]; pretend you had MR make a log of your backup; during a restore, if using that log, that log will probably not be able to "find" the new location of the backup image made earlier.
What I have done is simply not make any logs with either Macrium Reflect or Image for Windows. During any restore, I simply "aim" the restore module at the location of the full image I want restored.

 

[AddRAM]

Just start creating your new images on the new drive and continue to save data just as you have on the other drive, transfer the data from the other drive if you feel the need.

When you have the new drive to your liking either format the smaller one or leave it alone, or simply remove it from the system.

Someone mentioned a clone, I would never clone an image or even the data, too many things can go wrong.

Just create a brand new image on the new drive.

 

[Mega7User]

Mega7User, the only small glitch you might run into: pretend you used Macrium Reflect [to make this easier to explain]; pretend you had MR make a log of your backup; during a restore, if using that log, that log will probably not be able to "find" the new location of the backup image made earlier.
What I have done is simply not make any logs with either Macrium Reflect or Image for Windows. During any restore, I simply "aim" the restore module at the location of the full image I want restored.

Just start creating your new images on the new drive and continue to save data just as you have on the other drive, transfer the data from the other drive if you feel the need.

When you have the new drive to your liking either format the smaller one or leave it alone, or simply remove it from the system.

Someone mentioned a clone, I would never clone an image or even the data, too many things can go wrong.

Just create a brand new image on the new drive.

After going through a LOT of forums (PMPro and Macrium Reflect), I have decided to save the drive for a while and just install the bigger drive and 'image'/'back it up' fresh. This way, if anything goes wrong, I still have the original drive with its image/backups (as AddRAM suggested). The only reason I am going this route is because in so many forums, too many ppl run into 'this or that' problem and wind up losing some or all of their data. Have lost data before, don't know anyone who hasn't. Am going to leave the post unlocked for a few in case some wish to contribute more. Thanks everyone, for your input!

 

[AddRAM]

Smart move

 

[Mega7User]

Closing as 'solved', thanks all for your valuable input. The old 'full' drive will be saved in case a problem arises. In about 6 months to a year will go ahead and recycle it using MHDD ( HDDGURU: Laptop and Desktop Hard Disk Drives, Tests, Software, Firmware, Tools, Data Recovery, HDD Repair ). The best of a Merry Christmas, with a Safe & Happy Holiday Season!