Hard Drive Cloning Software

macfanuk · 23 Aug 2010 at 21:59

Can anyone please recommend some software (preferrably free) that will enable me to clone an entire hard drive to another?

I've tried XXClone and DriveImage XML but these clone partitions rather than the entire drive. Basically, I've got a drive from a laptop that needs cloning and it has a hidden recovery partition which I don't want to lose.

Thanks

robinbredin · 23 Aug 2010 at 22:08

Have you tried Acronis, there is a free edition

jbloggs · 23 Aug 2010 at 22:24

robinbredin said:
Have you tried Acronis, there is a free edition

This WD edition will only work (I would think) if you have a WD HDD installed on your comp...even as MaxBlast and DiscWizard will only work if you have either a Maxtor or Seagate installed on your system...these three utilities are all basically Acronis True Image, with a couple of minor features removed), you could also use the trial version of Acronis True Image Home 2010...

theheyes · 23 Aug 2010 at 22:31

CloneZilla if you can handle the interface.

Duke · 23 Aug 2010 at 23:03

http://www.miray.de/products/sat.hdclone.html#free

The Mad Rapper · 23 Aug 2010 at 23:17

FTK, Encase or IX Imager.

boosfuk · 24 Aug 2010 at 08:30

Macrium Reflect Free is the best I've found. Esentially their retail product without incrementals.

robinbredin · 24 Aug 2010 at 08:48

This WD edition will only work (I would think) if you have a WD HDD installed on your comp...even as MaxBlast and DiscWizard will only work if you have either a Maxtor or Seagate installed on your system...these three utilities are all basically Acronis True Image, with a couple of minor features removed), you could also use the trial version of Acronis True Image Home 2010...

I use it on a Seagate drive, and never had any problems.

Confused · 24 Aug 2010 at 08:56

theheyes said:
CloneZilla if you can handle the interface.

Have used this at work recently. Very good!

Sp00n · 24 Aug 2010 at 10:36

theheyes said:
CloneZilla if you can handle the interface.

plusone

jbloggs · 24 Aug 2010 at 11:05

robinbredin said:
I use it on a Seagate drive, and never had any problems.

Did you have a WD HDD installed on your system as well at the time of use, and not necessarily being used in the cloning process, because both MaxBlast and DiscWizard require either a Maxtor or Seagate HDD to be installed on the system to use them?

robinbredin · 24 Aug 2010 at 11:08

Did you have a WD HDD installed on your system as well at the time of use, and not necessarily being used in the cloning process, because both MaxBlast and DiscWizard require either a Maxtor or Seagate HDD to be installed on the system to use them?

Had one WD drive installed, but not being used.

jbloggs · 24 Aug 2010 at 11:15

robinbredin said:
Had one WD drive installed, but not being used.

Right oh, that is why then it worked on the Seagate HDD: if you hadn't of had the WD HDD installed I don't think it would have worked for you on the Seagate HDD, it is the same kind of requirement for MaxBlast and DiscWizard to operate...

tonyf1971 · 24 Aug 2010 at 14:47

boosfuk said:
Macrium Reflect Free is the best I've found. Esentially their retail product without incrementals.

This

Gizmowithatt · 24 Aug 2010 at 15:37

macfanuk said:
Can anyone please recommend some software (preferrably free) that will enable me to clone an entire hard drive to another?

I've tried XXClone and DriveImage XML but these clone partitions rather than the entire drive. Basically, I've got a drive from a laptop that needs cloning and it has a hidden recovery partition which I don't want to lose.

Thanks

I used this Mini Tool Drive copy the free version, it is great and cloned the HDD without a problem, and I am using windows 7 ultimate (64)

http://www.minitool-drivecopy.com/drivecopy.html