Upgrade to 2nd SATA - best method?

[HowardG]

I have an AMD dual core around 2 years old with a 160MB Maxtor with 2 partitions:

C: 20Mb - basically XP HE +SP2 PLUS programs installed (paid for & legit!)
D: 140Mb as a data drive - LOTS of IRREPLACEABLE stuff.

I THINK Windows is getting very flaky due to lots of software installed & removed & remainder file detritus.

Problem is the machine is increasingly quitting, it just stops AND (obviously) I need to completely backup.

I predominantly use FireFox as my main app when writing nothing heavy except maybe Dreamweaver on occasion. FireFox DOES have some very weird behaviour so needs to be nuked / cleaned also. If it's hardware this is my best way to eliminate WIN / FFox as the problem plus be safe.

My solution is to backup everything to a new 500Gb WD SATA HDD just bought.

Planned partitions:

Drive 1 C: 50Gb = CLEAN (same) Windows install + slimmed/reduced programs list (plenty
of space + for additions)
D: 450GB = data
+
Drive 2 E: & D: 160Gb = old drive as backup for D: data for temporary backup until I get another 500Gb for backup.

While keeping the 160GB running as-is can I :

QUESTIONS:

- install the 500Gb as the second drive,
- partition (as E: + F: ) / format &
- install WIN + Programs onto E: + D:'s total backup data onto F:
(will Win allow me to install another copy on another drive?)
- power down Drive 1 & swap with Drive 2
- boot up OK with Drive 2 (500Gb) now as C: & D:
- format 160Gb (now E: ) / partition
... then backup new 450Gb D: as planned onto 160Gb?

I have Paragon Drive Backup 9 Pro installed but am wary of it as I don't fully understand it's ramifications!

Or is there a better plan???? I am open to ALL SENSIBLE ADVICE - probably GLC's 8-)!
I searched to see if this problem is listed but could not find mention. Pls excuse if I am replicating a previous post.

Thanks in advance - Regards - Howard

[glc]

Keep it simple, Howard.

1. Back up everything onto the new drive.
2. Wipe the old drive and do NOT partition it - then reinstall Windows and all your software on it.
3. Create a folder on the old drive and restore all your data to it.
4. Wipe the new drive and move all your data to it.

Then get yourself some kind of external drive for backups.

[HowardG]

Originally Posted by glc Keep it simple, Howard. 1. Back up everything onto the new drive. 2. Wipe the old drive and do NOT partition it - then reinstall Windows and all your software on it. 3. Create a folder on the old drive and restore all your data to it. 4. Wipe the new drive and move all your data to it. Then get yourself some kind of external drive for backups.

Thanks for the speedy response GLC - this IS a great site. The advice exceptional.
Yes I'm big on the KISS principle.

1. Should I do so with Paragon? Is it C: + D: as a single backup image?
I assume the new drive is also NOT partitioned?
2. How do I do that? Do enough basic WIN system files stay running in RAM to do that? Delete or erase with an overwrite app?
3. Just as a single "C:+D: image restored" folder?
4. Not sure how this works... does it mean once integrity of restore folder contents proven
- re-format or simply erase new big drive then - simply xcopy/move EVERYTHING from old (160) -> new (500) drive keeping folder structure intact?

Is a reboot in there somewhere?

Please excuse any overkill - I have too much to lose to be unsure... an age thing and unique historical material on Tibetans. 8-)

Thanks heaps again in advance - Regards - Howard

[glc]

Tell you what - let's take inventory first.

What exact type of XP Home CD do you have? Is it generic retail/OEM or is it a restore CD? What service pack is already incorporated?

Do you have all the installation media for your software - either on the original CD's or from downloads? Do you have all your license keys?

Do you have any external media - such as USB flash memory drives? Do you have a working CD/DVD burner with software?

What do you exactly want to wind up with? I'm suggesting that you use 2 unpartitioned drives - the 160gb for your OS and software (to replace your current C partition) - and the new 500gb (to replace your current D partition). There are, of course, other options. I just don't like to limit myself with partition sizes on my OS/apps partition because it's too easy for it to fill up.

How much free space is currently on both your partitions?