Thinkpads Forum

As I've mentioned in other posts, I am currently trying to upgrade my dad's ThinkPad 380z. I've got a new HDD all ready to go, but I need a quick (and hopefully free) way to transfer everything (including Windows 98SE) from the old drive onto the new. I have one of those drive enclosures that plug into the USB port in case that helps. Unfortunately, my parents don't have CDs for the Windows 98SE, so I can't just install it on the new drive and then go from there. What I need is a way to copy everything from the old HDD to the new so that I can install the new one and have Windows etc boot up as usual. is it possible? anyone have advice on how to do it? is there any freeware out there that might help?

So far in this project, this forum has been invaluable, so thanks in advance to anyone who post any replies to this question.

g4u will copy everything including the recovery partition (if any) and is free.

you will need a couple of laptop drive to standard IDE/power adapters.
a pair is about ten bucks shipped off eBay.
I don't know if the USB will work for this. it might.

thanks slagmi! I took a look at g4u and I must admit it seemed like Greek to me... <--SDER

Does anyone have a recommendation for an easy way to clone the HDD (or am I just dreaming that the process could be simple?) The 380Z has a 4GB HDD currently partitioned into two 2gb sections (one of which is full, one of which contains absolutely no files) and I'm trying to install a 20GB HDD. The system is running Windows 98SE with 64MB RAM (will be 96MB when if the new memory chip ever arrives).

What a funny coincidence! I just asked (and got a good answer to) the same exact question here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=14512