Best way to copy HDD data to another HDD?

[dario03]

Well I couldn't really figure where to put this so I figured I'd put it here.
Anyways I want to replace my 160gb HDD over to a 250gb HDD. I want the new drive to take over for the 160 since I'm taking it out. So I would like for all the programs installed on the drive to still work when on the new one.

Whats the best way to do this?

Do I need to format the 250gb or can I keep a little data on it?

 

[peterhuang913]

You would make a disc image and put it on the new drive. There is a program called Norton Ghost.

 

[Harper]

Norton's Ghost Drive Copy Function
Partition Magic's Partition Copy Function.

I perfer Partition Magic as I find I can have for functionality. However if it's an Operating system, then i would use Ghost.

Please note that if you are using a SATA drive, it's best to use Ghost Version 10 onwards has I have had issue with ghost 2003 detecting some sata controllers.

Please note that both of these programs will erase data on the destination drive / destination partition, ie your 250Gb drive