Transfer OS

I want to know the best way to transfer all data to a new hard drive OS and all other files. Dont want to buy any expensive software.
I have XP .

 

Hi,
A lot of folk on here recommend macrium reflect as it creates a complete image of your hard drive.....

http://majorgeeks.com/Macrium_Reflect_FREE_Edition_d6034.html

it is not something i have personally used so I am not too sure if it will alow you to transfer the OS to a new drive, Someone else will more likely jump in to give you a heads up on how best you can procede with this.

iain.t :major

 

You could probably download a free software from the hard drive manufacturer to accomplish this. Last fall, when I bought a Western Digital hard drive to replace the original hard drive in my laptop, I downloaded the free Western Digital edition of Acronis TrueImage and used it to clone my old drive to the new one. This free Western Digital edition of Acronis TrueImage only works where the new drive is Western Digital hard drive. To do this for my laptop, I used a USB external enclosure to put the the new drive in and clone to old drive to it. Then, I removed the new drive from the enclosure and installed it in the computer.

I believe the other hard drive makers also provide a free tool to clone an old drive to a new one.

 

Seagate/Maxtor also provide a custom version of Acronis for backup too. I've used Easus Todo Backup myself but Macrium Reflect has plenty of fans here also.