Replace my boot disk?

[Paul H]

I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to
be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested
that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure.
How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old
one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened?
No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal
copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
than the new disk will? TIA, Paul

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Re: Replace my boot disk?

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote:

> Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
>than the new disk will?

You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22. It
will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what
is on the disk is mangled.

And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of
other problems.

 

[Newbie Coder]

Re: Replace my boot disk?

Paul H,

You can download free Disk Recovery software. Just search Google

--
Newbie Coder
(It's just a name)

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:95746D77-D5D7-49F8-AD16-F2DB816AB87C@microsoft.com...
>
> I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to
> be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested
> that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure.
> How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old
> one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened?
> No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal
> copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
> than the new disk will? TIA, Paul
>

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Replace my boot disk?


"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:95746D77-D5D7-49F8-AD16-F2DB816AB87C@microsoft.com...
>
> I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to
> be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend
> suggested
> that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending
> failure.
> How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the
> old
> one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had
> happened?
> No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal
> copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
> than the new disk will? TIA, Paul
>

Many disk manufacturers offer a free cloning program on their
home site.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Re: Replace my boot disk?

"Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@ameritech.net> wrote in message
news:qr1393dsml0f5sucf9fh6qrccc3riqa2e6@4ax.com...
> "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote:
>
>> Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
>>than the new disk will?
>
> You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22.

And in fact, you can use the Free Trial Version to clone the disk.

it certainly is worth buying.

HTH
-pk

> It
> will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what
> is on the disk is mangled.
>
> And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of
> other problems.

 

[Paul H]

Re: Replace my boot disk?


Maxtor provides a free copy so one can migrate like I need to, to a larger
disk.

"Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote in message
news:O7YZ8IkwHHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
"Uncle Grumpy" <unclegrumpy@ameritech.net> wrote in message
news:qr1393dsml0f5sucf9fh6qrccc3riqa2e6@4ax.com...
> "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote:
>
>> Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
>>than the new disk will?
>
> You can buy Acronis True Image (reportedly) for as little as $22.

And in fact, you can use the Free Trial Version to clone the disk.

it certainly is worth buying.

HTH
-pk

> It
> will do what you need if the sectors aren't so bad that a lot of what
> is on the disk is mangled.
>
> And you can use it in the future to keep backups handy in case of
> other problems.

 

[Tom L]

RE: Replace my boot disk?



"Paul H" wrote:

>
> I had a problem with my hard drive on my XP Pro desktop that turned out to
> be bad sectors. My other computer's XP Pro fixed them. A friend suggested
> that I get a new hard disk, as bad sectors are a sign of impending failure.
> How do I replicate my hard disk before it fails? So I can pull out the old
> one. install the new one, and boot the computer as if nothing had happened?
> No installing of applications, working with Microsoft to transfer my legal
> copy of XP Pro, etc. Do I have to buy some software that will cost more
> than the new disk will? TIA, Paul
>
>

TomL: Yes, would recommend doing an disk image backup on old hard disk
drive using Acronis 9.1 or VCom Perfect Image 11.0 software. About $49 for
Vcom and $79 Acronis 9.1.

Will need to partition and due low level formatting of new hard disk drive
using disk partition software, either Symantec Partition Magic, or Vcom
Partition Commander prior to re-installing disk image !! Can try free
download version form web site.

Some installed software application programs record the hard disk volume
serial number during install and may refuse to run if the volume serial
number changes due to being installed on a new hard disk drive with different
partiton serial number ! May need to record old disk serial number and
re-install old serial number on new hard drive !! Other option is to
re-install software application programs !!

Good Luck !
TomL