Best procedure to replace failing Dell system drive

Discussion in 'Acronis True Image Product Line' started by timecheck00, May 10, 2008.

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  1. timecheck00

    timecheck00 Registered Member

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    I have a Dell desktop E510 with drive that is getting noisy and has already failed once on boot with Drive 3 not found Parallel ATA, PATA-1 (pri IDE slave). The Dell drive has 3 partitions, the normal one and two just for Dell use.

    I have TI11 and have created a full image on an attached usb drive. I have ordered a larger replacement drive for the failing (Win XP) system drive.

    From reading thru the forum faqs and topics, I will attach the new drive to the current system using a usb enclosure. After that I appear to have two choices. I can do a clone directly to the new drive, or I can do an image backup to another location, and then restore that to the new drive. In either case, I should do a verify before proceeding further.

    On top of the clone or image option, I also have the choice of using the standalone TI bootable CD I have created, or using TI windows to do the creation of the bootable image on the new drive (still in the usb enclosure).

    Once the new drive has been built, I shut down the computer, remove the old hard drive, and replace it with the one just built, and reboot.

    Is the concept correct, and which process should I use?

    Thanks for any advice.
     
  2. K0LO

    K0LO Registered Member

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    timecheck00:

    Assuming that your good image is stored on an external USB drive or on the network, and has been verified as good, then the easiest thing to do is:

    1. Remove the old drive from your PC and put it aside for safe keeping
    2. Replace it with the new drive
    3. Boot from the recovery CD
    4. Restore the image to the new drive.

    This method also has the advantage that you don't risk changing anything on the existing drive.
     
  3. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    timecheck00,

    I have several Dells and when I replace a HD, I do exactly as k0lo suggests.
     
  4. Xpilot

    Xpilot Registered Member

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    That method of replacing hard drives is the safest and best for all computers not just Dells.

    Resizing of partitions to the new drive can be done as part of the restore process or be sorted out afterwards.

    Xpilot
     
  5. timecheck00

    timecheck00 Registered Member

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    Thanks for the clear instructions, and for the multiple responses saying this is the best way. Boosts my confidence.
     
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