Cloning/Copying Hard Drive - How to?

mr_goo

I am sure there are quite a few IT experts on Radar.
I need to clone/copy the entire contents (programmes and files) of my laptop to an external hard drive. I am going to purchase a 500gig external drive (any recommendations - welcome budget £40-£50).
Could someone please tell me how to do the cloning. Are there free to download programmes that I can perform the operation? Any help gratefully received.
Hope that makes sense.

mamba80

Arconis (i assume you r PC and not MAC ?)
http://www.ebuyer.com/288349-acronis-tr ... -tihrb3uks

I have used this program on many occasions, both backup and restore (you dont need a copy of your operating system, just a bootable disc (which is the install one)
it doesnt matter if the new drive is bigger than the cloned one and it is so easy to use to either backup or restore.

ebuyer will also have a drive that will suit your budget - i cant recommend any freeware programs.

MichaelW

Normally you just need to backup your own files and any downloaded software.
There are times when you need a byte for byte clone of a disc, operating system and all. I have done this on Unix systems, prepping disks from a master for distribution to clients. The latest MS Windows OS may not like being cloned.

forward_loop

carbon copy cloner - google it - free and very good

Alinshearah

Forward loop wrote:

carbon copy cloner - google it - free and very good

I hope the carbon doesn't melt in the rain. I'll blame Wiggle if you lose your data.

skyd0g

Paragon Drive Copy was a freebie I have used successfully.
NB. when your new drive is replaced, you may also need to go into the BIOS system settings to get your pc to recognise the new drive. (normally by pressing F2 during the boot sequence).