View Full Version : copy hard drive
I have the same concern as wayner_rocks. My Hard drive is failing. My question is where do you locate a second hard drive to assist in the transfer of data? I have one slot for a CD device or I could temp remove my Zip drive just above the current hard drive. Additionally it was mentioned: To do a proper copy you need to use a low-level copy program like Symantec's Ghost or Powerquest's Partition Magic / Drive Copy / Drive Image. Some new hard drives come with stripped-down versions of these utils as well.
Currently I have up to an hour or so befor my drive crashes. So the least impact on the system the better. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Paleo Pete
09-20-2000, 11:21 PM
As a temporary measure only, if you have no available drive bay inside the case, you can set the extra hard drive on a peice of cardboard on top of the drive bays for long enough to transfer data. Go ahead and set the new drive to master and the old one to slave, that will be the best configuration and the new one needs to be C: anyway. Then just set the extra drive on top of the drive bays or power supply, with cardboard under it to prevent shorting, and let 'er rip. Works well, I've done it plenty times. Don't set it on top of the cards, that's not a good idea, but I've set them on the power supply, on top of drive bays, and a couple of times put the whole thing together on a table without a case at all. Just make sure it's insulated.
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If you had everything...Where would you put it?
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Thank You. Can I just copy the old drive directly to the new (slave to master) after the new is configured and loaded with win 98? Are there special processes to achice a direct copy? I hope to do this Sat.
Paleo Pete
09-21-2000, 11:21 PM
You can do it one of two ways. Most new drives come with an installation disk that has an option to copy the old drive's contents to the new one. This is your best bet, and it will copy windows as well. When you reboot the new drive will be an exact copy of the old one, with windows working. No need to install windows first. The new drive must be set as primary, or C.
You can also install windows to the new drive first, then copy & paste or drag & drop everything you want to keep to the new drive, but I would recommend using the drive's installation software, it's much faster, easier, and usually very reliable. Set the new drive as primary in this case too.
If your drive didn't come with an installation disk, go to the manufacturer's website and download it, most have it posted on the net.
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If you had everything...Where would you put it?
Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)
bassvax
09-22-2000, 02:10 AM
Hey Pete, I seem to recall something called XCopy...isn't that a dos command for copying the entire contents of the hard drive? I believe it was mentioned on "The Screensavers" www.thescreensavers.com (http://www.thescreensavers.com) just a thought-Jerry
Paleo Pete
09-22-2000, 12:18 PM
Close...Xcopy is used to copy only files that have their archive attribute turned on, and can copy the directory structure. Due to the archive attribute limitation, I don't think it can be used to copy an entire drive, and due to the fact that, as I understand it anyway, it can only copy one directory at a time. You could use it, by turning archive on for everything, (I won't get into that...) and copying one directory at a time. But that would be about like like moving your car by disassembling it instead of calling a tow truck...
OK, now can I put my DOS book away? lol...
To find out the parameters used with xcopy type help xcopy or xcopy /? at the command prompt. You can also check my site, posted below, I have links to a few very good DOS info/instruction sites. I'll take a look into screensavers later, don't have time right now...Might add it to the site too...
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If you had everything...Where would you put it?
Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)
Do not use xcopy to try to clone a whole partition. It causes problems; see the article in my article section for more.
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Charles M. Kozierok
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...
Note: Please reply to my forum postings here on the forums. Thanks.
Thank You for the responces. No I did not get a drive copy utility. Yes the Maxtor web site had such a utility along wiht a utility for older BIOS's that may not support UDMA 66 speeds. I will not use x copy. I would have been lost without this assistance.
JF
Well I tried. The new 80 pin conductor cable did not fit the motherboard. It has one pin hole covered tne board has a pin for that spot. Is there a reason why the two different conductor cables will not fit? I tried to contact Amtron but their site is down.
uncle_bent
09-26-2000, 11:07 AM
I have run into regular IDE cables configured this way. I have a small collection of them. I don't know the reason for this but the only solution I know of is to get another cable. (I think I am going to finally throw away those other "blocked pin" cables since I always seem to grab one of them first)
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