[mdphelps]

I have been told that my hard drive has bad sectors on and and it will be replaced under warranty. Service tech will mirror my hard drive to the new one for $300.00. Is there a way i can do this myself? I can backup the files i really need, but i would like to have everything come over and all be the same. I am running windows XP Professional. Also, if i can mirror the drive, would i need to install Win XP first, or would that be taken care of with the mirror process?

Thank you!!

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Yes there is a way to do it.
However, depending on the nad sectors and any corruption of the file system, there is no real way of guaranteeing how the system will run on a new hard drive, and indeed depending on how the system runs at the moment will to a large extent be how it will run on the new drive.

If it was me I would do the following.

1. I would backup the personal data ie; documents, images and any music, videos etc - =not easily replaceable.

2. I would then make a complete image of the drive.

If for instance it is a Western digital or Seagaste drive these have that facility offered on their site.
Seagate

http://www.seagate.c...000dd04090aRCRD

Western Digital
http://support.wdc.c...119&wdc_lang=en

Both offer more disc utilties just browse the sites.

AND a general list
http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287

Edited by Macboatmaster, 11 February 2011 - 01:18 PM.

[Macboatmaster]

Yes there is a way to do it.
However, depending on the nad sectors and any corruption of the file system, there is no real way of guaranteeing how the system will run on a new hard drive, and indeed depending on how the system runs at the moment will to a large extent be how it will run on the new drive.

If it was me I would do the following.

1. I would backup the personal data ie; documents, images and any music, videos etc - =not easily replaceable.

2. I would then make a complete image of the drive.

If for instance it is a Western digital or Seagaste drive these have that facility offered on their site.
Seagate

http://www.seagate.c...000dd04090aRCRD

Western Digital
http://support.wdc.c...119&wdc_lang=en

Both offer more disc utilties just browse the sites.

AND a general list
http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287

Edited by Macboatmaster, 11 February 2011 - 01:18 PM.

[mdphelps]

Thank you. The problem with the current drive is that it "skips" or more accurately "catches" when playing music or videos. Would that type of thing carry over?
i can copy files and pictures, etc. easily - but i really wanted to avoid re-installing software and settings.

[Macboatmaster]

I can only recommend you continue as I have said and try it.

If it has bad sectors. DO NOT USE IT.
The more you write and rewite the worst the problem will be.
I would do as I have said.
I certainly see no need to pay that amount of money.

However on the information you have given it is difficult to say.
If it is ONE HDD it is relatively easy.
If the computer is set on a RAID array it becomes more complicated.

IF IT IS A ONE DRIVE with perhaps just an external drive then I would do this.
1. Get your personal data - backed up SEPARATELY. to an external drive or DVD - do not rely on a usb flash pen for STORAGE.

2. NOW use the appropriate, as I have sent in the links and make the complete image. OR depending on which you use it is called in the case of WD
Acronis True Image WD Edition Software helps you to completely clone your current system drive onto your new WD hard drive. Cloning makes an exact copy of your old system drive on your new WD hard drive, including the operating system, applications, data, preferences, and email settings. Everything will be present and operate exactly as it did on your old hard drive. Acronis True Image WD Edition now supports WD Advanced Format Drives and ensures that all partitions are optimally aligned.

OR SEAGATE
If you are upgrading and want to migrate your data from the old drive to the new drive we provide DiscWizard as an option. Check out our instructional video on how to use DiscWizard to replace your hard drive.

3. It may be that a full chkdsk with file errors and recovery of data from bad sectors immediately before the clone may be best.
YOU HAVE NO GUARANTEES in this situation.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 11 February 2011 - 01:33 PM.

[mdphelps]

Thanks again.

Problem is that it is a Toshiba and Toshiba does not provide imaging software for their hard drives. also, DiscWizard sounds great, but i will not have both of the hard drives at the same time.

[Macboatmaster]

Acronis will work -providing ONE drive is Western Digital.
I think SEAGATE is the same.
If Toshiba is to replace the drive under warrantry I am not certain but maybe you can come to some arrangement with them

OR
http://www.google.co...XtGOj-g&cad=rja

OR
http://www.apricorn....ype=reg&id=1432

and this link to the information on THIS site - Geeks to Go.
http://www.geekstogo...cof=FORID:9#905

Edited by Macboatmaster, 11 February 2011 - 03:27 PM.

[mdphelps]

Yes, apparently their arrangement is to give them $300.00. ;>)

[Macboatmaster]

Service tech will mirror my hard drive to the new one for $300.00

Did not directly connect this sentence with the, replace under warrantry sentence.

You will have to examine and explore the other three links.