Need help with Image migration

[jack10525]

I built my computer about 1 to 1 1/2 years ago. It was right when the 64 bit stuff came out. Well when I built it I partitioned the hard drive with a 6 gb partition for the OS and programs. Well now I would like to take the hard drive image and move it to a larger partition, get rid of the partition completely or copy the image to a new drive. Basically the small partition is causing size limitaions. So can anybody suggest what would be the easiest? Also if possible I would like to use freeware. :eek: Thanks....

[glc]

You can generally download free software from the hard drive manufacturer that can clone your drive to a new one - and the advanced options usually let you adjust the partition size. Otherwise, something like Acronis True Image will do a great job - and it can be had for as little as 30 bucks. Another benefit is this software is also an excellent backup solution for continued use.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832200204

[hobey19]

i have had very good luck with DriveImageXML (its free). coupled with BartPE, its really a great imaging tool for doing stuff outside of the OS as well

http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

craig

[jayb1234]

You could also just copy your files to a 2nd or external hard drive, reformat the drive deleting the existing partitions and do a fresh install creating a larger partition for the OS or no partitions.

[glc]

jay, I can appreciate the desire to clone the existing partition - a nuke and pave is time consuming. The only time a nuke and pave is really needed is if the OS is in crappy shape from too many malware battles or careless software installs/uninstalls. I'm running on 5 years now with no wipes on this load of Win2K, but it's been cloned several times and repaired due to motherboard upgrades.