Computer Help and Support

Galileo126

(2,016 posts)

1. If you want to clone a HD...

Sun Nov 12, 2017, 01:29 PM

Nov 2017

Assuming you have a hard drive to set aside for later, I use "Reflect" by Macrium. This was suggested by someone here on this forum. Great tool. And free! I currently use v6.3, but I think it's up to v7.1 now.

My desktop runs Win XP Pro, and I use Reflect's clone feature. In case my primary drive fails, all I have to do is make my secondary HD the primary, and "voila" - back in business.

It takes about 2 hrs+ to clone 300 MB, but well worth the time. I never tried it on Win 8, but the manual says "Win XP or later".

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Hope it helps!

Edit: When I say "clone", I mean exact (byte-for-byte) copy of a hard drive, operating system, all files, etc.

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What's the best way to back up a Win 8 Pro partition ? (not usually a Windows user) [View all] eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 OP

If you want to clone a HD... Galileo126 Nov 2017 #1

That sounds good, thanks for the link. lpbk2713 Nov 2017 #2

Yes, the remaining space is 100% usable Galileo126 Nov 2017 #3

Thanks. Sounds like a nice utility to have in any case. nt eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 #6

Skip it Egnever Nov 2017 #4

OK, thanks. As I said, this is just in case ... and it has to be cheap--free. eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 #5

Well another issue is you don't have the actual license key Egnever Nov 2017 #7

Macrium reflect gvstn Nov 2017 #8

Thanks for taking the trouble to add such useful details ! I'll give it a try. nt eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 #9

I haven't used the program in about a year so my memory is not very clear. gvstn Nov 2017 #10