Upgrading to new hard drive using True Image?

[nomoredells]

I apologize if this has been discussed before. I tried searching and didn't find what I was looking for. I thought I'd seen detailed instructions for moving to a new drive but I can't find them.

I have True Image installed and also PartitionMagic 8 available to me if that would help. I have a NexStar enclosure for the new drive. I wanted to image the drive because I have all my apps installed and configured. I also wanted to use this image in the future in case the machine got too slow and I wanted to "start fresh".

From what I did read it looks like I might need to use the recovery disks to get the drive up and bootable? Is that true? How then can I get all my applications and settings moved over?

If anyone can point me to some good instructions or give me a few pointers I'd be grateful

[mdarnton]

I put my new drive in an external enclosure, partitioned my new drive with Partition Magic, and then just cloned the old one over with TrueImage, switched them, and I was on my way. I'd already wiped out the service partition, so I can't answer how this procedure would deal with that. But I was up and running with no problems at all, really quickly. The computer didn't even blink at the change.

[CantabRich]

I was unable to clone my recently purchased 5,4000rpm 40GB HDD when I tried using True Image. The software rejected the "make exact copy" demand claiming that the source disk had been altered. Apparently, this is because True Image cannot see the hidden partitions installed by IBM on factory HDDs.

One person on this forum claims to have circumvented the True Image issue by using his Recovery Disks to commence a fresh installation on the new HDD. He then cancelled the fresh installation partway through the installation of Windows (at which point the IBM partitions had already been created on the new HDD). He then proceeded to use True Image to create an image of his previous HDD on the new HDD. You might be able to read of his method if you search this site for Acronis - his posts all come from the last 6 months.

I got around this problem by purchasing the ultrabay HDD adaptor from IBM, which ships with a software product (the name of which I cannot remember - something like EZcopy?). It is provided on floppy disk, so make sure you have a computer with an FDD handy. I had no difficulty cloning my original disk using the supplied software - v simple, v smooth. Probably cheaper than purchasing True Image too!

Good luck....

[Marc_G]

Just did this today:

Started with a T42p with the stock 60 GB drive containing C: IBM_Preload (had been resized to 20 GB) and the service partition (unmounted, IBM_Service).

Booted True Image 8.0 (build 800) from a CD.

Made a Partition image of just the C: partition over to an external USB drive. When doing so, the IBM_Service partition WAS VISIBLE but I did not select it to be included in the copy.

Swapped an brand-spanking new 80 GB drive in, replacing the smaller (slightly faster) 60 GB drive.

Rebooted the Acronis TI CD. Restored the image onto the new drive.

Took out CD; unplugged USB drive. Rebooted from HD.

Normal boot, everything working fine. New drive detected by XP, forced reboot, process complete.

For good measure, I went into the BIOS and disabled the special protection of the no-longer-present recovery area.

Marc

[pae77]

Did this today with TI 7.0 on my T30.

With TI 7.0 I did a "disk clone" of my 60 gig drive (only 17 Gig used, all one partition) over to a 20 Gig drive (all one partition) located in the ultra bay in the 2nd HDD adapter. Process completed without error, but I haven't tried to boot from the 20 Gig cloned backup to test it.

[CantabRich]

Marc_G: this is an excellent approach if:

(a) the orginal poster had three HDDs on hand (original, external USB, new HDD; and

(b) the original poster does not want a true image (pun intended) of the IBM factory install, but simply the preloaded portion minus R&R partition.

Which probably brings us to the debate upon whether the R&R partition is useful. I am a newbie with a TP, but I travel a lot with my work and face personal liability should I screw up. That makes me reasonably interested in data back-up and the time between at which it takes me to get operational again. The possibility of being able to restore my HDD from a partition which is with me at all times is attractive - it potentially saves me time and hassle. As a further back-up, however, I have a second HDD with a mirror clone (performed weekly) and a data back-up to network drive performed nightly.