backup drive (old laptop drive)---what kind of software?

[Bob98SR5]

hey guys,

i bought a new hard drive for the laptop. i bought a new enclosuer for the old one. i'd like to use the old one as a backup drive. what's the best software for it? and does it need the original O/S on it to work? or can i just format the old drive and put new backup software on it? right now i use microsoft sync toys.

thanks,
bob

[L33T35T Tacoma]

Synctoy gets my vote

[Bob98SR5]

jason, if i were to reformat the drive, do I need to install windows xp on it? and then .net and then install synctoys?

[cplvc]

Bob,
When I had to upgrade my old laptop HDD, I used Apricorn ez upgrade kit with EZ gig II software. I needed to keep the OS, Apps and everything the same just put a new HDD and remove the old one. IIRC image the old HDD onto the new one. If you bought or have a WD or Seagate, they have rebranded Apricorn EZ gig software for free on their respective websites. You won't need the kit since you bought an enclosure.

If you reformat the new drive you can install the latest Windows OS (that your computer can handle) then whatever application software you need.

I also use synctoys but just for the daily backup but not to clone or image a whole hdd, so I'm not sure if it will achieve what you want.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

From what is sounds like to me, you want to install Windows on your new hard drive, then use your old drive as a backup device and also use it to transfer all your old files over. I would recommend using an OEM provided or created recovery disc. Restore your computers new hard drive with the recovery disc, then hookup the old one as a separate hard drive. I would just copy all the files over yourself first, then use synctoy after that to maintain the files. I used powertoys for XP to change the "desktop" folder to reside within the "my documents" folder, so I just sync the whole "my docuemnts" folder with synctoy and it does everything, including the files on the Desktop. It's a little complicated but its rewarding and makes things so much more simple.

[Bob98SR5]

jason,

yes, thats exactly what i want to do. i just want to start with a fresh install of everything on my new hard drive. for the old one, i just want to use it purely as a backup drive, but i want to format it first. i had some malware that could not be removed and i dont want the remotest chance of my new drive being infected.

so from what you describe, i need to install the OS on the old HD. thanks for the advice, jason. and cool trick too :)

[L33T35T Tacoma]

No, install the new operating system from a recovery disc to the new hard drive. Then hookup the old one via a usb adapater or whatever you had in mind, copy your files over, then format it once you are absolutely sure you have everything off it.

[Bob98SR5]

jason,

Ok, i did in principle what you suggested. for my peace of mine, i installed a fresh copy of windows xp sp3 onto the new drive and reloaded all the drivers onto it. now im starting to add applications. i've transferred over some key files over from the old HD onto the new one into a single folder.

So for the old drive, i want to format it completely. i need to install windows xp onto it correct? Then i can install .Net and then synctoys, correct? sorry fi this is elementary to you but for me, i've been out of the game for quite some time :P

[Seanz0rz]

i dont think you can install xp onto a usb drive.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

No need to install any operating system on it at all. Best thing to do would copy everything over from the "old" hard drive on to the "new" hard drive that is running windows xp. From there you can format the OLD hard drive then copy stuff back, making it a backup hard drive. Use synctoy to keep the files in sync

[Bob98SR5]

jason,

thanks for the advice. files are already transferred over so time to reformat and use the synctoys

bob

[fenrisx]

I'm not 100% sure, but..

I think you just need to reformat the old drive, and leave it at that.

Put Synctoys on your new HD. I'm not sure what Syntoys does exactly, but if all it does is merely keep a backup of a HD.. Then you'd want Synctoys on your new HD, but have it backup the files onto the old HD.

Hope this helps in some way.

-Cody-