System Backup & Image Question

[Rhirtix]

Hey folks!

Okay, now that I've got Windows 7 RC properly installed and running flawlessly, I've decided the following:

- I want to buy a WD Caviar Black 640GB HD and install it as my main hard drive;
- And, I want to create a system image my current system because
- a) it's running perfectly right now;
- b) i want to migrate it from my current Hitachi pewp drive over to the new bigger, faster WD drive.

So, all that being said, once the new WD Caviar Black HD is installed, how do I migrate the system from one HD to the other?

I was thinking I create a System Backup via this tutorial (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html?filter[2]=Backup%20Restore) and then Restore it onto the new HD? Is that even correct? Is there an easier, faster way to do it?

Any help, much appreciate as always.

Thanks!

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

You can clone a hard disk of any file system. During the hard disk copying process, the program moves controlling records , the bootstrap code and on-disk partitions. That’s why this operation cannot be substituted by simply copying all on-disk partitions.

Best to use a special program for the job - Paragon products are excellent



Do you have anything like that?

 

[Rhirtix]

I don't have anything like Paragon. So I take it I can't just System Backup and then Restore it onto another drive. I'll need to clone the sstem then migrate it to the new drive when I receive it? And, I should use Paragon to "Copy the hard disk" to the new drive?

 

[SIW2]

An image and a clone are not quite the same thing - make an image by all means - you may need to restore it at some stage - saves a lot of hassle if things go wrong.

Clone your existing drive to the new one when you get it.

Some drive manufacturers will provide a free program to do it - downloadable from their website.

Seagate DiskWizard is good - but it has to recognize at least one Seagate/Maxtor drive to function.

I don't think WD do one.

I see you have oc'ed your E8400 - did you find you could do that without any voltage increase, or extra cooling - just noticed you have extra cooling.

 

[Rhirtix]

Clone your existing drive to the new one when you get it.

Some drive manufacturers will provide a free program to do it - downloadable from their website.

Seagate DiskWizard is good - but it has to recognize at least one Seagate/Maxtor drive to function.

I don't think WD do one.

Any other freeware programs out there that come standalone w/out being bundled with hard drive sales?

I see you have oc'ed your E8400 - did you find you could do that without any voltage increase, or extra cooling - just noticed you have extra cooling.

I was able to OC the cpu to 3.6 without any voltage tuning whatsoever. I had to begin tuning the machine once I broke 3.78Ghz. I'm on my work machine at the moment. I can post my settings once I return home later today, if you're interested. The jump from 3.6 to 3.8 was indeed noticeable for me.

The machine was purcahsed from CyberPowerPC, so it came with the Ultra ChillTEC already pre-installed. So, I've never attempted an OC with stock cooling. It's a nice cooler - does the job. It's loud though. At the moment, I idle at around 41c and on load, I'm at about 57-58c. That's after an hour of Orthos.

Things would run cooler overall if I didn't have a crappy case. I'm saving for a Cosmos 1000 or Antec 900.

 

[enTRAPAG]

Free and off the top of my head 100% sure it will work, no, but you may want to look at SystemRescueCD

Main Page - SystemRescueCd

I'm pretty sure I have done it in the past with this Linux utility, but it must have been on XP. I know the Windows Vista and later boot managers have totally changed so I cant say for sure that this will work for you but it's open source and I think it may do the trick if you read up on it.

As long as you don't do something silly, there really isn't anything to lose because you'll still have your working drive. You're changing the new one and there aint nothing on it so I would personally just say f it and jump in and see if I could figure it out.

I can name several if you feel like paying but I won't swear they work win Win7 until I use them myself.