Laptop Harddrive Cloning

[Marvulus]

In general what is the best way to go about doing this? The cloned drive will be going into a different hardware setup so some registry tweaking will be needed. The goal is to preserve all files and programs.

More specifically, I'm cloning a HD from an IBM Thinkpad type 2897 to one of the newer model Thinkpads.

Thank you in advance.

 

[corkyg]

Get an external Firewire or USB case - put the new drive in it - connect to the source Thinkpad, and use Acronis TrueImage 8's bootable CD to clone the drive.

I do this regularly to create a duplicate backup HDD for my lappie. Some Thinkpads will accept a second drive in their removable module - and that makes it even easier and faster.

 

[Marvulus]

Thanks again for responding.

Just to be sure,
Is there a way to this without additional hardware and using free software? I'm trying to minimize time and any additional costs.
Also, where do I find out if a Thinkpad model supports a second removeable drive?

But let's say I was to go with your initial suggestion, which external enclosure are you using/which is the best one to use for the thinkpad HDD?

 

[corkyg]

I use Firewire enclosures - but they can also work for USB 2. I don't know of free software that can boot the system and clone drives (in laptops)

The IBM module is availablke as an option on most Thinkpads. Look for "Ultrabay."

 

[phisrow]

http://freshmeat.net/projects/g4u/ Give that one a look.

 

[Marvulus]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I already have an external HD so I guess I can use that, don't know why I didn't remember before when Cork mentioned external enclosures.

With the Acronis Program can I just restore individual programs on a new build (without worrying about the registry)? I've misplaced some of the original cds, and I don't think my company has them available.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Marvulus
Thank you all for your suggestions.

I already have an external HD so I guess I can use that, don't know why I didn't remember before when Cork mentioned external enclosures.

With the Acronis Program can I just restore individual programs on a new build (without worrying about the registry)? I've misplaced some of the original cds, and I don't think my company has them available.

No - Acronis creates a bootable CD that gives you a nice Linux based GUI. It is an imager - like Ghost, only better. A cloned drive includes everything as is - all programs etc. It is an exact duplicate of the source drive, and is immediately bootable with no restoration needed.

 

[ND40oz]

Is it going into a laptop based on the 915 chipset? If so, you may have some problems with the HAL when booting it up. I know we had some HAL issues when we went from the Dell D600 to the Dell D610.