but was told that I can't just copy the exisitng drive to the new drive and have it work. Can you offer advice on how to do this?
2007-01-05 05:08:07 · 6 answers · asked by Jeff L 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Norton Ghost
Be advised - if the machine is more than a year old 2005 and earlier, it probably won't run VISTA, so stick with the computer's original OS... You need 1 gig of ram at least for Vista!
2007-01-05 05:11:59 · answer #1 · answered by bigringtravis 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well, it depends on the condition and size of your failing HDD. You need to be able to access all of the data for long enough to be able to copy it all.
If this is possible and you want to make a complete copy, there are a couple ways of doing it.
If you have multiple housings for harddrives, then all you really need to do is install the new one in a seperate housing and run a backup program.
If you don't have multiple housings, you'll need to buy an external one. Essentially it converts the regular connection you would see in the computer into an external bus (USB, FireWire). However, this could cost you anywhere from $30 - $70 (very rough estimate).
Of course you could also send your whole computer to a place where they would do all this for you. The problem is they will end up ripping you off on labor and so on. Also, since you were told that you can't back up, I'm assuming that this is what you did to start with.
hope that helps,
-lpod
2007-01-05 13:20:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lpod 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MAKE SURE THE HARD DRIVE IS GOING TO BE INTERNAL AND THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TRY TO RUN WINDOWS OFF AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE! Also make sure that the hard drive fits your PC. Be sure to read your PC manufacturer's instructions before you try the following.
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Get out your Windows Recovery CD (if it wasn't included, HP computers will burn a Recovery Disc). If you've lost it, buy another copy of Windows. My advice is to wait for Windows Vista: Jan 30, 2007 shipping date.
Then, backup all your data to some place other than your hard drives. You're going to do a memory wipe. Make sure everything's ready, then put in your disc and turn off your computer (print out these instructions first). Take out the hard drive, and put in the new one.
Turn on your computer. Before it starts, press the key specified on the screen in the BIOS. Make your CD drive the startup disc, and follow the on-screen directions.
Note: Your settings will be lost, however. Use Windows Backup Utility to preserve them.
If you are still having trouble, I can be reached at kevin__-chen@yahoo.com. And yes, there are two underscores (_).
2007-01-05 13:15:44 · answer #3 · answered by Cheese Lover Bob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. Insert the software CD that came with the new hard drive. The auto play window should pop up. Just find the option of doing a drive to drive copy. For 40GB of information, it should take about an hour.
BEFORE DOING THIS, DISABLE ANY SCREEN SAVERS!!!!
2007-01-05 15:43:04 · answer #4 · answered by Jonathan Gaestel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can download a program called True Image http://www.Acronis.com It will make a exact image of your old drive and copy to the new drive. Its free for 15 days. You will need to make your new drive a slave and have it ready when you run the program. It worked for me.
2007-01-05 15:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by Roadman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the above answer. I have used Ghost several times and have never had any problems with the new HD.
2007-01-05 13:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by CHAD M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋