Want to copy entire hard drive to a new hard drive before old one fails. Complete swap OS and everything.?
112445
if you are going to be using the same computer but just changing HDs then imaging the computer is the best way to go.  acronis and ghost are 2 good imaging software out there but i prefer acronis.  to image the computer you are going to need a place to put the image first such as a second internal HD or burn it to a dvd.  then you just create the image put it on different media and then restore the image to the new HD.
928444
For an exact, BOOTABLE drive copy, use Nortons GHOST..it works excellent, and is easy to use! If you dont want it bootable, just drag your main files over to the new drive for free...
887412
I asked my OH who is a techy and he says it is best to just borrow a genuine disk from somewhere as all disks are the same. The only difference between them all is the number.\n\nYou can find sites to download copy disks but they are really not worth the trouble.\n\nGood luck.
55270
did u install an operating system or not yet ?\n\nif yes, then open "My Computer" if u use windows operating system and right click on each drive and chose properties.\n\nif no, then the easiest way is to plug ur hard drive to another pc which has an operating system and do the same\n\n\ngood luck mate.. ;)
811296
It's possible, and a good idea- but there are some hoops to jump- when you plug it in, the computer will see 2 hard drives, each with an operating system.  You will have the option of booting either one.  Boot into the new, and open the old to move your files from the old into the new.  When all you want from the old is on the new, Right-click the old and choose format to wipe it clean.  Format using NTFS- that's the Windows XP format- do not quick format either, because quick skips the error checking and repair stage.  When that is done, you have a empty hard drive to fill as you please.\n\nIf it does not work when you first boot up, the jumper settings are wrong- next to the cables, there are 3 pairs of pins, with a little plastic jumper block connecting one pair- probably the pair on the right.  Move the  jumper over one (with the power OFF), then try again.  Repeat as needed.
200101
Using a program such as Partition Magic you can accomplish your goal. Bad news though, Many times people lose all their data when attempting to do what you are talking about.  Partition Magic if used correctly will not do that.  Using this program if you are not computer saavy could be a disaster.  A computer shop should be able to do it for you at a cost of 25 to 50 dollars.\n\nPerhaps you should just tranfer most of your files and programs to the D: drive.\n\nHave a Great Day
711451
Reinstall Windows XP from your install CD...it will give you the optiont to create a new partition, delete the old one, reformat the hard drive prior to installing windows.  You do realize you will lose all data that's currently on it?
918971
i suggest copying the whole partition so you wont need to install anything all over again...
245789
Time for a bigger hard drive. I hate to be a name dropper but I have the best luck with maxtor drives. They come with software that makes it easy to copy your old system to your new drive. Install the new drive as a slave and then run the maxblast software. Make absolutly sure you have the source drive..the drive you want to copy.and the destination drive..the new drive in the right configuration. Once done, turn the computer off..take both drives out and put the new drive in as master.
874453
you could install it as a slave drive and transfer files and install an os, then either switch the control for master/slave (varies by computer) or just switch the cables with the old hd. (you may have to switch places too, some of those cables are short and inflexible)
621336
Your new drive should have some software that makes a duplicate of your old disk, including operating system.
918284
i am a hardware tech.\nit is very simple.just follow these steps.\ni am assuming this is a  second hard drive.\n1)connect it to the computer.\n2)turn it on.\n3)enter the bios.\n4)enable the disk\n5)restart\n6)boot to windows as usual\n7)you should be able to see the new hard drive in my computer\n8)format it.\n9)you are done.\nif you need further assistence..\nwrite to me at:\naanonymouus@yahoo.com
537805
Install a second hard drive as the master and set your original as the slave through BIOS setup.  Format as bootable using CD bootdisk.  Once you have the system on new hard drive, scan slave drive for viruses, backup data that you want to save on new master, and voila!!!!
121179
Have you got any data on the drive you want to keep ?\n\nIf not just make a boot disk ( www.bootdisk.com ) and use fdisk to partition the drive and then install windows.\n\nIf you do have data then I suggest you connect the hard drive to another machine as a slave and back it up and then put it back into the machine and format it and re install windows.\n\nThere are other ways of backing up the data, please post back and let me know if you need further help.
450122
take the hard drive out and stick it into your other computer
425419
Use one of the Partition cloning softwares.\n\nI use Ghost for 8 years now, it is powerfull.
675156
Stick the Microsoft operating system disk in the computer and reinstall telling it to reformat the hard drive. Before you do that, be sure to backup what ever you want to save. Works like a charm.