Is it possible to copy the C: drive to another drive using windows xcopy?

[mysts]

My c: drive is getting old and I would like to replace it with a new one. I heard somewhere that this can be accomplished by using the windows xcopy or xcopy32. Has anyone tried this?

[jagabo]

You can copy it that way but it won't be bootable.

If you are running the OS on that drive while copying you'll have to use the /C switch to force it to automatically continue when it hits a file it can't copy (because it's in use by the O/S).

Some boxed retail drives come with drive migration software. I bought a Seagate drive a while back and it came with a program called DiskWizard that could migrate your OS to the new drive.

[SingSing]

You should consider putting in a new hard Disk as C:, and change this C: drive select to slave, and use your it as Drive D:.This give you extra disk space with no copying needed.

[ntscuser]

My c: drive is getting old and I would like to replace it with a new one. Has anyone tried this?

Yes. See here:- http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=418

I've performed the operation using the freeware mentioned in the article and also (later) using Acronis Disc Image (which is not free).

Remove your old drive from the PC if you want to be absolutely certain your new one is named as C: That will ensure your existing links and shortcuts still work. Replace it later if you wish to reformat it as a data drive with a different drive letter.

[wulf109]

Hard Drive manufactures all offer free software to Clone or copy a HD. Go to the web site of your HD's manufacturer. Drives copied in this way are bootable as C:
Your new drive doesn't have to from the same maker,if only one drive is from the HD maker the software will work.

[Nelson37]

xcopy has absolutely nothing to do with replacing a drive.

It can be used to copy data from one drive to another.

It will not make the new drive bootable.

If there is ANY question whatsoever as to the files on the original drive being corrupt, then re-install.

If the original drive is several years old, a re-install is usually a good thing as it gives you the opportunity to leave out all the accumulated crap which you do not use.

The only advantage to doing a clone in such cases is if you no longer have the install disks for software that you really need. But then, if you really need it you should have the install disks.

[kschang]

Should use XCOPY32, I think. Regular XCOPY is a holdover from the MS-DOS era.

[Soopafresh]

As long as your new hard drive is BIGGER than your original drive, you can use HDclone (freeware) http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hdclonefree.html Once again, it must be BIGGER, not the same size, and not smaller.

The program will create either a boot floppy, or a bootable CD. You then restart the system with the floppy or CD in place, and clone away.

[mysts]

Thanks to all of you for your help. There are several suggestions here that I think that will solve my problem. Thanks again.

[ahhaa]

One last tip- all new HDs are not created equal; when you go to buy your new one, check the length of the warranty- WD & Maxtor drives are 1 year, Seagates are 5 years. All these come with the cloning/partitioning software, btw...

[mysts]

Thanks ahhaa. I'll keep that in mind when I get a new drive.

[budz]

One last tip- all new HDs are not created equal; when you go to buy your new one, check the length of the warranty- WD & Maxtor drives are 1 year, Seagates are 5 years. All these come with the cloning/partitioning software, btw...

If you purchase WD & MAXTOR hard drives from online retailers like NEWEGG, the warranties are 3 and 5 years depending on the models. WD & MAXTOR have a few hard drives that offer a 5 year warranty. These hard drives purchased from online retailers are OEM drives, it doesn't come with software or cables. The software can be downloaded from WD & MAXTOR websites so why bother buying a retail drive. It's the retail drives that you buy from stores like COMPUSA, BB & CIRCUIT CITY that offer only a 1 year warranty. The SEAGATE drives from NEWEGG and BB, COMPUSA all have 5 year warranty.

Here's a example of a MAXTOR 250 GB SATA HD from NEWEGG that has a 5 year warranty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144031