Another computer question - hard drives

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Robbo, Oct 10, 2004.

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  1. Robbo

    Robbo

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    Guys,

    the hard drive on my ancient PIII 1Ghz computer is starting to act up. Sometimes the PC takes several attempts to boot up I am getting the operating system not found message.

    Before it completely dies, I want to get a new hard drive and transfer everything across to the new drive. If possible, I want to avoid re-installing windows on the PC with the new drive. Is it possible put the new drive in the PC as a second slaved drive, copy everything from the old drive onto the new one, then change it to be the master drive and boot up using the new drive?

    Is there any software I can use for this?

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Robbo, Oct 10, 2004
    #1
  2. Robbo

    MO! MOnkey`ead!

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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 10, 2004
    MO!, Oct 10, 2004
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  3. Robbo

    robert_cyrus

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    or alternatively norton ghost, but the miray.de is free.

    personally i always reinstall onto a new hard drive.
    all my files are now on a 2nd drive (previously on a 2nd partition)
    so it takes no time to reinstall XP, reinstall my applications, and hook up my 2nd drive again.

    that way you get a lovely clean install of the OS without all the accumulation of rubbish that occurs over time.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 10, 2004
    robert_cyrus, Oct 10, 2004
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  4. Robbo

    Robbo

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    Cheers guys.

    looks just what I need. Now I need to find the cheapest HDD available.
     
    Robbo, Oct 10, 2004
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  5. Robbo

    lAmBoY Lothario and Libertine

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    just buy a seagate:)
     
    lAmBoY, Oct 10, 2004
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  6. Robbo

    auric FOSS

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    Have a quick Scan , so many to choose from.
     
    auric, Oct 10, 2004
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  7. Robbo

    Robbo

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    so far this one is the favourite
     
    Robbo, Oct 10, 2004
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  8. Robbo

    technobear Ursine Audiophile

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    But that one is from ebuyer :WMarrives:

    Try Dabs or Microland if you want a reliable service.
     
    technobear, Oct 10, 2004
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  9. Robbo

    Rory satisfied

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    i bought my case from ebuyer, and so did a mate.

    no problems whatsoever although delivery took 3 days longer than from scan.
     
    Rory, Oct 10, 2004
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  10. Robbo

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    I've never had any trouble from Ebuyer at all and I have ordeed quite a few stuff from there. Microdirect is also very good but I have only bought stuff from the shop and not mail order.

    I would go for an 80GB model though as they are only £5 more than the 40GB models.
     
    amazingtrade, Oct 10, 2004
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  11. Robbo

    Robbo

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    Whats wrong with Ebuyer?
     
    Robbo, Oct 10, 2004
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  12. Robbo

    technobear Ursine Audiophile

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    I've heard several horror stories about their aftersales service. Just pray your new hard drive doesn't need to be returned. I've also heard plenty of complaints that they are slow.
     
    technobear, Oct 10, 2004
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  13. Robbo

    amazingtrade Mad Madchestoh fan

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    I think most of them are not justified to be honest, I know plenty of people who are more than happy with their service. They have improvbed a lot since their earlier days. My only complaint with Ebuyer is you wait a little bit longer for delivery.
     
    amazingtrade, Oct 10, 2004
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  14. Robbo

    analoguekid Planet Rush

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    Not had any probs with ebuyer, but have also heard of probs with Dabs, one to definately avoid is Watford electronics, they still have about £250 worth of my money and as yet have to collect their goods. If DOA, won't do a swap out, have to have old stuff back before releasing new, will also do their best to avoid talking to you direct and force you to do it all by email.
     
    analoguekid, Oct 10, 2004
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  15. Robbo

    MO! MOnkey`ead!

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    I used Dabs for my Drive and Controler card. Decent price, and superfast delivery.
     
    MO!, Oct 10, 2004
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  16. Robbo

    analoguekid Planet Rush

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    If it's just a hardrive you want these guys are cheap and have next day del, for about £4 www.kustompcs.co.uk or I also use www.komplett.co.uk both good service.

    Mo I haven't used dabs was just making the distinction that ebuyer has had a lot of complaints, but so have Dabs, I've used ebuyer without any complaints, I think Dabs only lets you use Mastercard or Visa though. Others let you use switch solo and amex.
     
    analoguekid, Oct 10, 2004
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  17. Robbo

    robert_cyrus

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    ebuyer are fine if you dont need to get a refund, or send anything back. i never use them now.
    try http://www.microdirect.com/offers.aspx
    doesn't appear to be any hard drives there today, there's usually maxtor 120 gig plus9
    drives for about £55 inclusive (if i remember correctly)
     
    robert_cyrus, Oct 11, 2004
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  18. Robbo

    michaelab desafinado

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    I'd also recommend Scan.

    Michael.
     
    michaelab, Oct 11, 2004
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  19. Robbo

    auric FOSS

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    just thought I'd add to the list of suppliers.

    Whilst looking for something I came across Aria although I have not used them they seemed to carry a load of what intrests me.
     
    auric, Oct 12, 2004
    #19
  20. Robbo

    robert_cyrus

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    how about this ?
    80 GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 7200rpm ATA133 2MB Cache
    £42.01 total !!! (£52.58 for the 120 gig)
     
    robert_cyrus, Oct 12, 2004
    #20
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