bst way to make an identical copy of HDD

[jonny512379]

Hi Guys and Girls.

I'm after advice again...

My main Hard Drive has developed a nasty clicking sounds and i think it is causing random freezing/crashing and also failing to boot at times.
So a nice shiny new one is in order tomorrow when OC are open.

I would rather not have to start with a fresh install of the OS and all my software, again as other than the HDD issue my PC is fine and works just the way i like it to.

I have had a quick Google for ways of either cloning the HDD or taking an image of the old HDD. Although what information is good and what is bad is hard to determine.

First is it possible to do what i want to do, in copying the whole drive, including OS, boot sectors (and even partitions if possible, but not essential), so all i have to do then is swap the HDDs?
My system currently runs so i am hoping to just add the the new HDD on a free SATA port and hope to copy everything from there (i assume i can not just copy and paste all files?)

Any advice on how best to do this, or with what software (ideally free) i would be very grateful.

Best Regards
Jon

 

[Dano]

Maxicrum Reflect, Easeus Partition Master, Clonezilla, Maxtor Maxblast, Acronis True Image or one of their ilk.

I've always found Easus to be easy to use and has yet to fail me: http://download.cnet.com/EaseUS-Partition-Master-Home-Edition/3000-2248_4-10863346.html