Best utility for Drive Cloning

I have an HP running win7, HD took a crap after 4 months of use. I bought a replacement drive and docking station to clone the old HD to the new one.

But how

What is the best utility to use? When I have cloned the drive, do I simply remove the old one and install the new one and it will boot?

This forum never fails to get me help - you guys rock

 

If you want to pay, I would recommend Acronis, as you can then use it to take regular backups in the future.

All you need to do is to clone the drive, and plug it in, and it should work.

 

thanks colins. Is there a freeware utility out there? I am not a cheapskate, but this is an unplanned expense and frankly, I am borke like a joke

 

Might consider xxClone.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/XXCLONE_d5534.html

Sorry. Just saw not listed for Windows 7.

 

Acronis is free for 30 days then they ask you to purchase, most drive manufacturers have cloning software free. I used Acronis from their site and also the Seagate version both did an excellent job.

Phil

 

Hi

I'm running Win 7 and my 3 month old HD failed also, on 14th May. My technician used a program called Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging Free Edition. He told me he had some issues but they were with the failed HD not the program. Have had my computer back almost a week now and it runs fine.

Perhaps Macrium will suit your purposes. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp


HTH

Paramonks

 

Hi paramonks,

Macrium Reflect is available on MG's http://majorgeeks.com/Macrium_Reflect_FREE_Edition_d6034.html and we usually try to direct people to MG's download area so that they can be assured of a tested and safe application.

 

Hi Puppy

As I have not used this software, I supplied a URL that gives much more information than what is usually available on the download url at MG's. The OP is trying to locate a program that suits their needs.

Naturally I will always recommend that the only safest place to download is here at Major Geeks because IT IS. I was only offering information. I'm sorry I bothered to include the URL at all.

paramonks

 

Oldphil is right, the new drive (boxed retial) comes with a boot disk to clone your system or just prep the drive for regular use. Some actually give you a rebranded version of Acronis that only works with their hard drive. It looks for the manufacture name when running.

 

Am I the only person wondering how you're going to, or why you'd want to, clone a HD that "took a crap"? I presume you mean the old HD failed. So, why are you thinking you can clone it?

If you do, indeed, have the option of cloning a HD that is, indeed, working, the "rebranded version of Acronis" foogoo can do the job. I recently used the rebranded version of Acronis from WD to clone my old laptop HD to a new WD HD.

 

OK - well 'took a crap' in that I am getting th "Hard drive failure is iminiment' messages, and a HD that occasionally decides to take a vacation. I am looking to get one more boot-up then clone the device so that I dont lose my applications, OS and data

Thank you to all the people who offered their assitance. You guys are the best.

 

I bought a Seagate, OEM pack that came with nothing

 

Go to the Seagate site and down load "Disk Keeper"and you are on your way!

 

Oldphil,

Please include a link for the OP, the Seagate site is about as hard to follow as Microsofts.

Thanks

 

So far you guys have been awesome - I truly appreciate your guidance and patience.

here's where I am: I have the HD, and the dock. I have DLed and installed both Macrium and Acronis (more on why in a moment).

This HD http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=TSD-500AS7 SY
This case/dock http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=T13-5026

I first tried Macrium. I can get through to the disk image wizard just fine. When I am prompted to select a drive to write to, the new drive is not there. Thinking it might be a glitch in the freeware, I did the same with Acronis, same result.

Looking at 'My computer' I do not see the new drive as listed. Device manager shows the USB/ATA adapter and lists the new drive as a USB storage device. Looking at the dropdowns in Acornis and Macrium, the drive is not shown in any fashion.

Looking in Disk Management, I show "Drive 2" is there, showing online and unallocated, MBR

What step am I missing?

 

my apologies to the forum. You guys were great in directing me on which utility to use. Thanks for all your help!