Cloning hard drive

[MeCasa]

I just purchased a 250 for my T60. I have a lot of experience with gho files, cloning and large data transfers.

However I'm not quite sure how to handle cloning with IBM backup and the hidden partition.

I partition all my drives with 6 partitions so......

Here's my idea so far, I'll purchase an SATA enclosure and partition the new drive. Then I'll do a complete backup and store it on a partition on the newly partitioned 250. Then I'll install the 250 and use the RR Backup from the bios to bring the image up in the C:Drive. This should give me a bootable OS. Then I'll install the 80 in the enclosure and move the rest of my data over.

So how do I copy the contents of the hidden FAT partition?

If anybody has a better idea of copying my drive to the new drive or some knowledge on moving the files off the hidden drive please let me know.

PS: I also have a complete set of backup disks from Lenovo.

[johnp126]

i used both symantec's ghost and acronis true image. i can't imagine 6 partitions but you can copy everything with ghost using disk to disk. not sure why you'd want to only copy certain parts. it will automatically resize the partions or you can manually figure out how big you want to make them. i'd rethink the 6 partition thing as it makes things very complex, we use separate folders and rename the documents folder but that is just what we like to do.. moving a machine then is just the document folder and all its sub folders (favs,cookies,nethood,etc)

[sjthinkpader]

We use Ghost at work and Apricorn EZ GIG II at home. Pretty similar to what John had described. Use an Ultrabay drive tray makes cloning much quicker.

[pae77]

When I clone my primary drive to an identical capacity drive in the Ultrabay using Acronis True Image Home (automatic method), there has never been a problem cloning the entire drive, including the recovery partition. Makes an exact bootable copy of the entire drive and all partitions.

It should be noted, however, that when cloning to a drive of a different size with Acronis TIH, one must use the "manual" cloning method or else the program will proportionally scale the partition sizes up or down depending on the relative sizes of the original and target drives, which is usually an undesirable result where the recovery partition is concerned.

The programs "manual" cloning option will give you an opportunity to resize the partitions to whatever size you want. So it is important to use that option if cloning to a drive of a different capacity than the original.

[Truthfinder]

Good evening:

I purchased a WD 250gig drive for my T60 to replace the 100gig that came with the Thinkpad.
I too purchased an external SATA external USB drive case and was able to make the clone. I now have the 250gig in my ThinkPad and the 100gig drive is set up in the USB case as a backup just in case.

Anyhow, everything went great and it works perfectly. Also, the new drive appears to be a bit faster than the original 100gig.

Good luck and enjoy the LARGE capcity drive.