Confused about drive imaging

rockyhdr · 16. Nov 2009, 09:10 PM

I am sota of a newbie...I want to transfer my full 100gb hard drive to a USB enclosure with a new 320 gb hard drive and then just swap them out....I have been to many forums and I am totally confused....I need something easy and hopefully newbie proof...lol
I know my new Western Digital HD has a link to do this with...but I want to do it the best way...I already have recovery discs...I am using XP Me...

Sope · 16. Nov 2009, 10:05 PM

You could try one of the solutions reviewed here - best-free-drive-imaging-program but these types of program do take some time to learn properly.

Under the circumstances, I believe the free tool - Acronis True Image WD Edition - available to you from WD would be the best one to go for.
I find Acronis TI very reliable and their wizards are usually pretty easy to follow.

Obviously be sure to back up all your important data before you attempt the clone and HDD swap.

rockyhdr · 16. Nov 2009, 10:39 PM

Will this also resize my partitions? Sorry if I hijacked a thread...tried to post my own and web site would not let me.

Sope · 17. Nov 2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyhdr

Will this also resize my partitions?

I would certainly think it will allow for that.
I've no experience of the WD Edition but I know that Acronis TI has that capability.

Just make sure you are fully backed up, and follow the instructions carefully and you should be fine.
I'm guessing that the program will pretty much guide you through the procedure. I also notice that WD offer free telephone support if required (though looks like for US customers only) and there's always someone on this site that will offer advice/guidance too if necessary.

Sope · 17. Nov 2009, 12:49 PM

I've had a quick look at the Acronis True Image WD Edition user manual which can be downloaded here.

Looks simple enough to follow and will pretty much guide you through the cloning procedure (see chapter 10). Can be done using an external USB enclosure. Just be aware that the particular version of Acronis TI that this is based on is reported as having issues under Windows 7 but should be ok for XP or Vista.

Good luck with it.

rockyhdr · 17. Nov 2009, 02:36 PM

Thank you very much...gonna give it a try...

16. Nov 2009, 09:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
rockyhdr Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Confused about drive imaging I am sota of a newbie...I want to transfer my full 100gb hard drive to a USB enclosure with a new 320 gb hard drive and then just swap them out....I have been to many forums and I am totally confused....I need something easy and hopefully newbie proof...lol I know my new Western Digital HD has a link to do this with...but I want to do it the best way...I already have recovery discs...I am using XP Me...

17. Nov 2009, 02:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
rockyhdr Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	TY Thank you very much...gonna give it a try...

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16. Nov 2009, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 326	You could try one of the solutions reviewed here - best-free-drive-imaging-program but these types of program do take some time to learn properly. Under the circumstances, I believe the free tool - Acronis True Image WD Edition - available to you from WD would be the best one to go for. I find Acronis TI very reliable and their wizards are usually pretty easy to follow. Obviously be sure to back up all your important data before you attempt the clone and HDD swap.

16. Nov 2009, 10:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
rockyhdr Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Will this also resize my partitions? Sorry if I hijacked a thread...tried to post my own and web site would not let me.

17. Nov 2009, 12:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 326	I've had a quick look at the Acronis True Image WD Edition user manual which can be downloaded here. Looks simple enough to follow and will pretty much guide you through the cloning procedure (see chapter 10). Can be done using an external USB enclosure. Just be aware that the particular version of Acronis TI that this is based on is reported as having issues under Windows 7 but should be ok for XP or Vista. Good luck with it.