HELP - Need to replace HDD, can I clone old HDD?

[CyberDude]

I need to replace my failing HDD but the service guy says he cannot clone the old HDD because Windows will not allow it. Is this true? I really don't have the time to reinstall and set up my R51 from scratch. This is a warrenty repair.

I'd appreciate some help or advice on this so I can tell the techy that he's wrong.

[own6volvos]

You can, but the safe way is NOT windows. If you want to get anything at all off of it, stick both drives in a computer that can handle 2 or more harddrives, and a cdrom.

You are probably going to need to buy laptop harddrive adapters off ebay to do this (pins are smaller, etc).

Then download a linux live cd called "knoppix". You boot off of it, and it is an entire operating system that runs off of ram and the cdrom. From this you can do a very low level clone of the drive.

The process is very simple, but also VERY dangerous. It will NOT tell you if you made a mistake, and you could end up writing over your entire harddrive with blank data off the new one!

The easiest way to prevent this is to know what drive is master/slave, and on what bus.

/dev/hda is the master drive on the primary IDE channel
/dev/hdb is the slave on the primary channel
/dev/hdc is the primary on the 2nd channel
/dev/hdd is the slave on the 2nd channel

(might be /dev/pd(a,b,c,d) if your interface is PATA, but if you are doing this in a desktop, it will be /dev/hd(a,b,c,d))

You can then verify what drive is what by doing a scan of the partition table.

"fdisk /dev/hda" typed into the admin console window will open up a partition manager. Then typing "p" will print the current table if any. If stuff shows up, that is your main drive. Once you have verified, type "q" and exit out of it.

"fdisk /dev/hdb" then type "p" for that one, and it should show no partition tables present. Then "q" out of it, and you should know which drive is which.

If you are 100% sure you know which drive is which, you can type the following command and sit back.

"dd if=/dev/hda of=/dev/hdb " or "copying all data on first drive to 2nd drive"
"dd" is duplicate disk, "if" is input file, "of" is output file. Its copying the old drive sector for sector onto the new target drive. This is MUCH safer than using windows for copying things on a failing drive, because it stressed it much less. Instead of seeking all around for various pieces and fragments of files, it just copies everything starting at the center and moving out. The harddrive won't be seeking around, and it will have much less stress on the drive heads.

That said, it is very dangerous if you get the "if" and "of" part of it mixed up, because it gives no warnings at all, and will gladly blank data because it was told to do so. It presumes the user knows what they are doing.

If you want and can aquire the various adapter bits, I wouldn't mind personally walking you through the procedure some night. It isn't that hard or complicated, just a few keystrokes.

Email me at dietcokefiend@gmail.com if you want some more info on the topic and I would be glad to help you out. If there isn't sensitive data on the old drive, a fresh clean install of windows xp would be much nicer and faster.

[CyberDude]

Thanks for the comprehensive walk through. Do you really have 6 volvos?

However, the R51 is still under warranty (on site next day) which I paid extra for so I think IBM should be responsible for sorting this although I've lost faith in the technician their service agent sent over.

The point I wanted clarified is that the service technician said that Windows would not allow you to run the cloned disk. Which is rubbish.

I may just tell them to supply the new disk and I'll clone and install it.

[naryb69]

Hi,

I loved your help but noticed you mentioned laptop HD adapter. I have a few old a20 with 5 Gig HD and would love more space. From time to time you see deals at the local store but once when looked at my HD vs the replacement I found the new was a hair smaller.

Also, look at my post on Help it freezes. I'm sure you have an idea that would halep.

[dorin]

hey why dont you try acronis or norton ghost. you create a image of the drive c on a dvd, put the new hdd, boot from the image dvd , restore, and enjoy!

this is what i did when i got my new hdd 3 weeks ago. after you discover imaging programs (i think acronis is better due to booting manager) neither dead i would go again in reinstalling from scratch windows! it's a pain in the a** when you go to a new laptop, but at least then you have the motivation!

so its more than doable with no pb! write me pm if you need more help!