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[Nickbat]

I really need to upgrade my C drive as it is now becoming a bit audible as it thrashes around.

So, my question is: how easy is it to replace the system drive on an XP (SP2) system? Bear in mind I don't really want the hassle of having Microsoft telling me that I have unauthorised software (which can happen when you change hardware).

Yes, I know I could upgrade to Windows 7, but Windows 8 is coming out this year, so why bother?

Yes, I know I really should reinstall all my software to have a clean system, but I don't have the time and as this is a home/work machine with downloaded updates aplenty, I could do without the hassle.

I have a D drive for data and a 1TB SATA drive with docking station knocking around, so ghosting and back-up is not a problem (though I need to get XP to recognise 1TB, which I understand is possible). I may go down the route of an SSD, having read a recent thread on here.

The bottom line is whether anyone can recommend a good (preferably "free") ghosting software package that can quickly and painlessly allow me to upgrade my C drive - with step-by-step instructions if poss. 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Ta.     

[Martian]

Ghost is my weapon of choice when cloning disks, a step by step guide on how to use it can be found >HERE<

Feel free to PM me if you need any further assistance 

[Nickbat]

Ghost is my weapon of choice when cloning disks, a step by step guide on how to use it can be found >HERE<

Feel free to PM me if you need any further assistance 

Cheers, Martian! 

[aaronjb]

Ghost is my weapon of choice when cloning disks, a step by step guide on how to use it can be found >HERE<

Feel free to PM me if you need any further assistance 

Out of interest, have you tried CloneZilla? I did, recently, and it's really rather good - clone to/from disk, local image, SSHFS network image etc.

[smithpa7]

Ghost is my weapon of choice when cloning disks, a step by step guide on how to use it can be found >HERE<

Feel free to PM me if you need any further assistance 

Great advice Martian, you really are out of this world

[Martian]

Out of interest, have you tried CloneZilla? I did, recently, and it's really rather good - clone to/from disk, local image, SSHFS network image etc.

I've only ever used Ghost Aaron, but a couple of questions for you.....

1. Does CloneZilla allow you to image on to a different sized disk and adjust accordingly?
2. Does CloneZilla allow you to change the SID so the same image can be used on more than one machine that is on the same network?

[Kevin Wood]

Out of interest, have you tried CloneZilla? I did, recently, and it's really rather good - clone to/from disk, local image, SSHFS network image etc.http://images.omegaowners.com/forum/smf2000/Smileys/oofstd/thumbsup.gif

I've only ever used Ghost Aaron, but a couple of questions for you.....

1. Does CloneZilla allow you to image on to a different sized disk and adjust accordingly?
2. Does CloneZilla allow you to change the SID so the same image can be used on more than one machine that is on the same network?

Looks like it supports ntfsclone and winroll so, whilst I've never used it, I imagine the answer is probably yes. Will bear that in mind next time I need such a tool.

[aaronjb]

Out of interest, have you tried CloneZilla? I did, recently, and it's really rather good - clone to/from disk, local image, SSHFS network image etc.

I've only ever used Ghost Aaron, but a couple of questions for you.....

1. Does CloneZilla allow you to image on to a different sized disk and adjust accordingly?
2. Does CloneZilla allow you to change the SID so the same image can be used on more than one machine that is on the same network?

Good questions .. to which I have no answer 

[cem_devecioglu]

Nickbat, you can use the tools mentioned above, but in my opinion
if you have the windows cd and license key handy, the machine will be better and faster
after a fresh install.. and all unused files will be erased..
 
ps: did I ever say that I like to use parachutes
 
pps: Nickbat, dont be lazy

[TheBoy]

I got a bit narked with Ghost - yet another decent product that Symantec/Veritas have managed to screw up. Got fed up with .gho files not restoring, and in a couple of cases, Ghostwalker wouldn't even open them, leaving me stuffed.

Currently use the (now legal) Hirens boot cd, which uses Acronis. I've found this to be 100% reliable so far (using it as primary cloning tool for about a year)

[TheBoy]

New drive not required, a rebuild will speed it up. A replacement disk probably won't by much.

And all XP users should be on SP3 by now.

[Kevin Wood]

New drive not required, a rebuild will speed it up. A replacement disk probably won't by much.

And all XP users should be on SP3 by now.

.. unless the noises the OP has referred to are terminal, not the normal consequences of an aged file system...

If it were me, I'd rebuild it, certainly. If I didn't have the time and it's a work machine more than a couple of years old (i.e. I rely on it to put food on the table, and it makes me money) I would just buy another machine and transfer my work to it as and when I have the time.

[jtypecav]

I got a bit narked with Ghost - yet another decent product that Symantec/Veritas have managed to screw up. Got fed up with .gho files not restoring, and in a couple of cases, Ghostwalker wouldn't even open them, leaving me stuffed.

Currently use the (now legal) Hirens boot cd, which uses Acronis. I've found this to be 100% reliable so far (using it as primary cloning tool for about a year)

This was exactly my experience, what's worse is work still think ghost is the way forward, which is a nightmare now it's so barked. Ghostwalker - how did they manage to screw it up so badly!!? Acronis for the past few years on the other hand has never missed a beat.

Only thing I'd say is that if you go the SSD route, even on a SATA2 system you will see a drastic improvement depending on your use. It's nice getting to windows in ten seconds or so on what was a few year old machine at home. Much faster than the quad core Xeons wtih 16gb of ram at work still on SCSI too! 

[Martian]

I got a bit narked with Ghost - yet another decent product that Symantec/Veritas have managed to screw up. Got fed up with .gho files not restoring, and in a couple of cases, Ghostwalker wouldn't even open them, leaving me stuffed.

Currently use the (now legal) Hirens boot cd, which uses Acronis. I've found this to be 100% reliable so far (using it as primary cloning tool for about a year)

I wouldn't expect Ghostwalker to open the image files, it's normally used for changing the SID 
I know what you mean about Symantec/Veritas norsing it up though, that's why I stick with the Corporate version (works in true DOS).

Hirens is a good shout for the OP I suspect, can't think why I didn't think of it (probably because I'm so used to it being illegal up until recently).

[Gaffers]

Switch to Zorin (Linux distribution based on Ubuntu) I have and I am loving it.  No faffing around with codecs, drivers ,etc.  It just works straight out of the box.  It's fast, stable and more resistant to viruses.  The best, and most crutical, bit is that the technophobic wife can use it which is the biggest bonus as we no longer have to dual boot (I used to run Debian/Win7)

Edit:  Oh, and to add it is free!   (Just like my windows distro was but this is free and legal  )