How do I copy an NTFS partition????

[Breadfan]

Ok, here's the deal. I got a new hard drive, and I'm setting up a second system out of spare parts. I'm currently running a 40gb 5400rpm Maxtor drive in my main system, but would like to put the 60gb 7200rpm Maxtor I just got in it.

I'm running W2k, and would like to copy the contents of my 40gb drive to the new one. Most likely I'll format the 40 afterwards, and put win98se on it.

Only problem is, Maxtor doesn't recommend using MaxBlast Plus to copy NTFS partitions!

I've got a copy of Norton Ghost from one of the many Epox mainboard CD's I've got from work, but I don't really like it...it's having trouble seeing my NTFS drive...argh!

Anyway, Maxtor doesn't say I can't use MaxBlast, they just don't recommend it. Since i'm not formatting either drive in MaxBlast (already formatted the 60gb to NTFS), is it reliable for making an image?

If not, what do I need to do/buy to do this?

My W2k install is pretty healthy, and I've currently got 27gigs of Data, and I don't feel like taking the time to back it all up and reinstall it

Mike

 

[CyberFed]

what i would do is just run the 2nd hardrive as a slave, and then dump what you want to save on it in a folder say c:\junk
hook that 2nd drive up alone and install 2k on it, this will not delete the junk folder and then you can have all your stuff plus the os on it. there might be easier ways but i keep it simple.

 

[DS]

Get a copy of Partition Magic. It will make a bootable copy of your drive.Its a good utility with several features.

 

[Breadfan]

Yeah, I'm gonna try a few things right now:

I'm gonna give Maxblast a shot. They don't say you can't use it for NTFS, just that it's not recommended. I'm just mirroring the drive.

I really wish I had a RAID mobo, I remember mirroring two copies of a Win2k install using the highpoint RAID uitility...that was for my cousin's system though...

Anyway, I'll give maxblast a shot, it shouldn't damage the source drive, worst case the mirrored copy is corrupt or something.

If htat doesn't work (it probably will...like I said the drive is already partitioned and formatted corrected in NTFS), then I'm gonna just install w2k on the new drive, hook the 40gb up as a slave, and copy my documents off of it.

That will work fine, I did want to avoid reinstalling all my software though...but if I have to, I'll take advantage of the whole fresh install thing.

I looked online last night at prices around town for partition magic and drive image. 70 bucks just to mirror ntfs!! Sorry, I'll take the time and the fresh install instead I know they have their merits, but I don't feel like putting down that money just yet if I'm only gonna be mirroring right now...

Mike

 

[Ridenow]

I am surprised you are having problems with Ghost, I use it all the time for NT 4.0 and W2K. What version do you have?
Sometimes it will say it can not see a partition, just tell it yes when it asks if it should treat the partition as raw. Never had a bit of trouble.