Live CD to copy between two HDDs

[Anupam]

I want to copy data from an old failing HDD to a new HDD. The old one has Windows, but is unable to boot because of some error. The new one does not have any OS, and is just a data HDD.

I wanted to put them on another computer, but it does not have enough SATA ports... just two.

Now, I have the idea of booting the computer from a Linux live CD, and then copying data between the two HDDs. What I wanted to know is, will the data copying be fast, or will the speed be limited by the fact that the Linux system is running from the optical drive, which in general is slower than Linux installed on the HDD.

[J_L]

Copy speed will not be limited, because the data isn't touching the CD in any way. Once the Linux loads into your RAM, there aren't any performance issues (if you have enough).

[Anupam]

Thanks J_L, I will give it a try.

[Anupam]

I gave Puppy Linux a try. However, I was disappointed. First, I could not find where to see the size of the hard disks. Secondly, I could not find an option to cut the selected files/folders. Anyone knows why?

Still, the latest version of Puppy Linux 5.2.5 looks good, and better than before. They keep improving, and continue to amaze.

I have now booted up the system with a copy of Crunchbang Linux that I had from before. Its working beautifully. The copying is going on very fast, and I am pleased .
I am also able to see the size and free space, and also able to perform all operations on files/folders.

[lonny]

Use your choice.

Just to clone to another drive -----> Clonezilla http://www.clonezilla.org/

My favorite all round -----> Parted Magic http://partedmagic.com/doku.php

Clonezilla is on Parted Magic Live CD

[Anupam]

Thanks lonny, but I was not looking for an imaging program... just wanted to use a live CD to transfer data between two hard disks.

But, thanks for telling about Parted Magic. I often saw it on download sites, but didn't know that it contained so many programs.