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Question

Clone XP OS Drive to bigger Internal drive

Dec 22, 2012 2:58PM PST

I have a PC I use where the XP OS is on a 60 Gig hard drive. I have several internal HD available from 160-500 Gig where I would like to clone the OS using DriveImage XML or similar program.
I have watched videos on making back ups, but I am unsure if I can simply clone the OS and change the start up to another HD or do I physically change the drives? How do I get the PC to recognize the new drive's OS?
Do I need to partition the new destination HD? I do not have the OS on a disc.
Thanks,
George

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Try this
Dec 22, 2012 11:13PM PST

Clone the HD then switch it. It will work flawlessly...

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Answer
IFFY.
Dec 23, 2012 2:04AM PST

The clone usually works with a notable exception. If the original OS is XP then SP1 and such is added later it has a limitation to 127GB boot partitions. It's been fun to see folk hit that issue (not really) and you get to go over what is XP and the later versions and the small differences.

You'll know it when you see it happen.
Bob

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Answer
I've done it numerous times with Norton Ghost
Dec 23, 2012 2:10AM PST

and never had the first problem. Any version from 9 to 15 works fine with XP. Bob points out the need to be reasonably current with Windows maintenance. I've always been at the latest available maintenance because doing otherwise is just asking for needless trouble.

Good luck.