Cloning system HD, questions.

[snowsurfer]

Hey guys,

My laptop HD recently died on me (Dell 0142 code....) and the replacement is due in tomorrow. Now, I've connected the "dead" HD to my desktop and I can explore it without any problems. I do not want to run any tests or benchmarks because I've seen salvageable drives go FUBAR after this, so I am taking it very easy.

What I am wondering is whether you guys think I can just clone the old HD to the new one (they are even the same size, 320Gb), in order to avoid the hassle of installations, fishing for my files, *.pst, etc. I've used Norton Ghost in the past in my office, but I am not sure whether there is better software currently.

So, any suggestions on the software or the general process?

Thanks!

 

[Hefemeister]

If you have ghost use it.

If you need a free alternative try clonezilla.

 

[snowsurfer]

So you think that it actually might work?

 

[Hefemeister]

It has worked many times for me with desktops using ghost (usually moving people to larger hard drives). I have never tried with a lappy but cannot see how it would differ.

Never hurts to try.

 

[SparkMonkeyHellion]

laptops are particularly picky when using Ghost. sometimes they will not use/recognize the media you want to copy the image to. but it usually works.

 

[snowsurfer]

Great, thanks, I will try it out then. Want to save myself the nightmare of getting everything on as it was before. :/