My hard drive is full!

mca · « **on:** 8 Sep 2008, 10:30 pm »

My main hard drive is pretty small and has now become full. I run Windows XP and that is about all that is on the drive. Is there any way to copy the entire contents onto a new drive and then use that as the main drive?

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Sep 2008, 10:48 pm »

Buy a USB stand alone harddrive from Seagate or Western Digital. You can get 1/2 terra-bite for a couple of hundred bucks. Then transfer all the music and video files to your external drive. It's as easy as PLUG AND PLAY!

Wayner

SET Man · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Sep 2008, 11:21 pm »

Hey!

Talking about HDD. I'm about to max out my 400G external soon. Mostly photos.

So far I've been having good luck with Seagate external (250G and 400G) and an internal Hitachi (60G).

I plan to buy a new one soon. Likely two 1TBs, one as a back up and another one to back up the back up.

Maybe from two different brands also.

I've been looking at this one...

http://www.jr.com/seagate/pe/SAG_10005FPA1E3/

JR had it on sale for $190 a few weeks ago. But somehow the price when up again now

Also, check out here. I've bought HDD from them before.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?MfrId=765&Nav=|c:2421|&Sort=0&Recs=10

They used to have one there too but not right now. They don't seem to have that one now. If you use USB only then there are more HDD to select from.

Take care,
Buddy

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Sep 2008, 11:40 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 8 Sep 2008, 10:48 pm

Buy a USB stand alone harddrive from Seagate or Western Digital. You can get 1/2 terra-bite for a couple of hundred bucks. Then transfer all the music and video files to your external drive. It's as easy as PLUG AND PLAY!

Wayner

Good advice.

Simply use your existing drive for the OS and external drive(s) for all your other "stuff".

George

Philistine · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Sep 2008, 11:55 pm »

If you want the new drive to run XP, and all your software, it's a little more complicated than transferring the files to a new drive - you'll need a program (something like Norton Ghost I believe) to mirror the partition on your old hard drive and copy it to the new one. The new drive will then include all the registry that's required to run your PC. If you can get by with transferring all your data to the new drive then this is probably the most cost effective (and simplest) option, and you will boot from the old drive that will retain XP and the registry files. Simply copying over from the old to the new drive will not leave you with a new drive that is an exact copy that you can boot from.

I've just upgraded my laptop HD so now I'm an expert on this

jermmd · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:01 am »

Keep your operating system on the present drive and use another drive for absoluteley everything else. Memory is ridiculously cheap right now. Take a look at this. An internal drive is even easier than buying an external drive.

Joe M.

mca · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:03 am »

I think most misunderstood my question. My drive that is full is a 13 gig drive that mainly holds windows XP. I have moved or deleted any other stuff that was on there and I have less than 750 mb free. What I am looking to do is move XP to a new drive, then replace my old full C drive with the new larger one.

I already have one drive for pictures and MP3's, one drive for programs and three external drives for FLAC.

JeffB · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:37 am »

Philistine is correct.
You will need Norton Ghost to create an exact mirror image of your existing drive onto a new drive.
You can then swap out the old drive with the new drive.

If you are comfortable opening up the case and connecting drives and there is room for 2 harddrives, then hook up the new drive as a slave and use Ghost to do the mirror. Then take out the original, and hook up the new drive as a master.

Alternatively, buy a USB hard drive enclosure. Put the new drive in the enclosure. Use Ghost to perform the mirror. Then take the new drive out of the USB enclosure and replace your original drive with it.

If you are not comfortable opening up your computer, I would see if Best Buy's geek squad can perform this service for you.

JeffB · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:43 am »

13 Gb seems like it should be plenty to hold XP and some programs.
You might try using File Explorer to search for files > 10MB and see if anything appears that can be deleted.
Also empty the contents of your Trash Can.

JerryM · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:48 am »

When I needed to upgrade my HD I used this: http://www.frys.com/product/5478279

Absolutely effortless; a walk on. The set-up software handles the ghost duties of Norton that have been described earlier. It really is easy!

Have fun,
Jerry

WGH · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 12:56 am »

Usually the retail kits, like the Seagate, come with a free install/format/partition/cloning utility so you don't need to buy Norton Ghost. If yours doesn't, PM me.

Wayne

Philistine · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 01:48 am »

Slightly off thread but related:

I had to replace the HD in my laptop and wanted a quick and easy solution. I found this on Cnet, EZ Upgrade from Apricon, which has cloning software and a USB case (you have to buy your own 2.5 inch HD). You slip the new drive into the case and clone the old one, when the process is finished the new drive goes into your laptop and you can use the old drive in the USB case as a spare drive.

http://www.apricorn.com/products.php?cat_id=52

Only issue I found with a Dell Laptop is that I had Dell Media Addition installed (this allows your laptop to be used as a personal DVD player without booting up XP), and then its a more complex process.

jqp · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 01:53 am »

My advice is to get a fast new internal hard drive. Install XP fresh on this new drive. A 13GB drive is ready for a hand me down.

Resist the temptation to "move" your XP image to a new drive, with its old, decrepit registry. Make your machine fresh and quick with a clean install of XP. You will have to reinstall many of your apps but can possibly eliminate some dogs and garbage along the way.

Plus it may take less time to do this than the alternative.

I recommend a 500GB-1TB Western Digital Caviar (Black edition). 500GB (SATA) may be great for your needs.

HOWEVER if you have a 13GB drive you may need an EIDE/PATA/ATA type drive with your bios, in which case just get the cheapest Seagate drive you can find, probably $60-80. It will still be the best way to go.

Philistine · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 02:05 am »

Quote from: jqp on 9 Sep 2008, 01:53 am

My advice is to get a fast new internal hard drive. Install XP fresh on this new drive. A 13GB drive is ready for a hand me down.

Resist the temptation to "move" your XP image to a new drive, with its old, decrepit registry. Make your machine fresh and quick with a clean install of XP. You will have to reinstall many of your apps but can possibly eliminate some dogs and garbage along the way.

Plus it may take less time to do this than the alternative.

I recommend a 500GB-1TB Western Digital Caviar (Black edition). 500GB (SATA) may be great for your needs.

HOWEVER if you have a 13GB drive you may need an EIDE/PATA/ATA type drive with your bios, in which case just get the cheapest Seagate drive you can find, probably $60-80. It will still be the best way to go.

Agree with this - Windows gets bloated and slow over time.

JerryM · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 03:34 am »

Not to go OT, but UniBlue Registry Booster works great for keeping a Windows registry well maintained. Even MS has given this product a gold award.
I can't imagine having a Windows PC without it.

Once again, sorry to go OT,
Jerry

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 02:20 pm »

I have decided that this is a perfect time to get a new computer. I'm not excited about having to download/install all my programs and set everything up from scratch again, but it will be nice to start fresh again. Now, do I stick with XP or jump into Vista...

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 02:38 pm »

Good thread going here, I've learned a few things.

But....I'm going to move it to the Magnetic Core Circle. That's were the majority of the geeks hang out.
Nothing but drunks in The Sports Bar.

Bob

BobM · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 02:40 pm »

I think Vista pretty much comes standard with most/all new PC's these days. But if you have the option I would suggest staying with XP. MS hasn't worked out all the bugs/problems yet.

Vista is pretty much a dog on the current crop of PC's, unless you're getting the top of the line. It was designed and built for the next generation of PC's, not the current generation.

Good luck,
Bob

mcullinan · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 02:42 pm »

Get a Mac. Nuff said. Rep -a- sent.
Mike

bpape · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Sep 2008, 03:08 pm »

If you order online, most good vendors will still allow you to get Win XP. You can even get it without an OS and use your existing license provided you still have the media and the CD Key.

Bryan