Imaging an existing Hard Drive/Best program/What to look for

[mike boss]

I have a dilemma and a couple of questions.
For my Uncle T's jukebox project (a.k.a the Boss Boxx) I'm using a Dell PC with an 80GB HDD.
In addition to that as of now I also use a 160GB EXT HDD.
I just picked up a 750GB internal SATA HDD.
I would have liked to use the internal 80GB HDD along with this new SATA drive.
However this particular DELL PC will not let me (know space) install a 2nd HDD.
So it looks as if I will need to use the 750GB as the main and only HDD in the DELL.

Now I'm guessing I would simply install the drive which comes stock and install a fresh copy of windows onto it.
But is there a way I can copy the entire contents (as is) of my 80GB DELL drive.
Then simply move that over to the new HDD. Saving me the process of backing everything up ?

[Havok]

Try this - in fact, I think they have a free 15 day trial which might get you what you need, for free. However I would recommend purchasing it for backup purposes, and to support the company:

http://www.acronis.com/backup-recovery/workstation/

You can clone your old drive onto the new drive. You will need to be able to hook both drives up at the same time however. Once cloned, put the new drive in, boot up and enjoy. Much quicker than a new Windows install, plus everything is exactly how it was before, except you now have a bigger drive.

If you cannot connect both drives simultaneously, get one of these (or something similar)

Adapter

[esaelectrionics]

i've used acronis software and it works,
so its a good choice

[mike boss]

Thank you very much for the info.
I know that in the PC case itself I can not hook up both HDD's.
Also in part because I don't have a BUS cable (I think that is what I need).
However for a temporary resolve I realistically just leave the HDD on the floor.
Do SATA HDD's hook up differently then IDE hard drives ?
I have an external HDD case I use for my PS2 HDD, and it's IDE.
But perhaps I could put the SATA drive into that case for the back up (imaging) process.
Thank you

[mike boss]

Sorry I just wanted to add something.
I think I will order the adapter as I will need that to hook up both HDD's.
I guess with that adapter I can hook up the SATA HDD via a USB port.
However I'm guessing the SATA HDD will not just plug into the existing IDE connection.
Will I need a new/different type of cable ?

EDIT - I just ordered that part off Ebay.ca.
I think I'll need that part regardless.
I know for sure while imaging I'll need it to hook up both HDD's.
Now I just need to find out how to use the SATA HDD "FULLTIME" in the PC as opposed to the IDE that was in it.

thanks

[Havok]

You will not be able to just connect a SATA drive in place of an IDE one unless you have the power and data connections on your motherboard. If this is an older pc then most likely you don't. Here's the power connector:



and here's the data:



In order to connect a bootable SATA drive to an older machine, you will need a host controller. This one is fairly cheap, but looks like it may not work as a boot controller for Vista\Windows 7:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815104219

You will also need a power adapter:

Power Adapter

It might just be a lot easier for you to leave the SATA drive external. Since you already purchased the adapter, just get a skin for the drive to keep it safe:

Enclosure

[Thenasty]

+1 on Acronis

[mike boss]

Thank you guys for all the info, it has truly helped me.
I bought the SATA drive because the price was right.
In the current jukebox build I was using the existing DELL HDD & my COMSTAR EXT 160GB HDD.
I thought it would just simplify things if I had a newer, larger HDD enclosed in the unit.
Looking @ this Dell PC (I'll post the model later) it doesnt look like it was made to be upgraded....if anything outdated and replaced !
As I pointed out above I ordered the power adapter that will connect via USB.
So I guess I will be back to the stopping of devices when I power down.
Wont make for the simplest set up, as with the HDD contained I'd only have to worry about powering on the PC.
However I guess the work around isn't so bad.

Thank you for posting the link the HDD skin, I'll order one of them now.

[mike boss]

Could I just use this ?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/IDE-133-100-HDD-TO-SERIAL-ATA-SATA-CONVERTER-S432_W0QQitemZ260577970510QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3caba8494e

I still want the USB adapter I purchased, because I'll need that when creating the image.
But would this allow me to simply use my SATA drive in place of the existing IDE ?

[Havok]

That would work, however you would need male-male pins to adapt the connection. The way it is now, it's set to plug into an IDE drive for a newer pc that only has SATA. Plus, space is a concern; you have to have that sticking out the back of the drive and you may not have enough room to fit it in the space provided for your hard drive.

[mike boss]

Sorry, I meant to post this link (my bad).

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Serial-ATA-SATA-To-IDE-HD-Motherboard-Converter-Adapter_W0QQitemZ200453889563QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eabfb9e1b

If I'm not mistaken this is SATA to IDE , so I believe it makes my SATA drive compatible with the IDE connection the PC.
Just again looking side the dell, I think if this sticks out a little it should be fine.
Any thoughts and tips much appreciated.

[Havok]

Better, but still the same thing; it's backwards from what you want.

[mike boss]

Again looking inside the Dell I disconnected the ribbon cable from the HDD.
The cable is indeed female on both ends. But I believe that the adapter plugs into the motherboard where one end of the ribbon cable would go.
(again both ends are indeed female, one end comes off the HDD and then into the motherboard)
I'm guessing the data cable and power cable would be long enuff to reach the HDD once installed.
I picked the model I did because it says it supports HDD over 240GB.

Am I correct in my thinking ?

thanks all

[Havok]

That adapter has to plug into the hard drive. It has power feeding in, which you don't want going to the motherboard. It's a SATA to IDE. You need IDE to SATA...

[BobA]

I think you want this one

This PATA to SATA adapter allows you to use your SATA drive on an older computher which without SATA ports

ebay link

[mike boss]

Back to the drawing board I guess.
I'm going to look online for the part I need.
I apologize if I seem like a total NOOB.
I was told prior I need SATA to IDE.
Which I thought sounded good, as I wanted my SATA drive to work in an IDE computer.
I'm going to check ebay.ca to find the part I need.
Thank you

I took some pics of the PC :

[mike boss]

Would this work ?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-SPIF223-IDE-PATA-to-SATA-hard-drive-HDD-Adapter-B4A_W0QQitemZ220577402126QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335b700d0e

[mike boss]

With regards to the above adapter unless I'm not getting something (which very well could be the case)
It sounds as if it does what I need it to do, however I am confused a lil.
I've noticed that some of the items on ebay have different power wires, so two wires, others 4.
However I know the existing power connection has 4 wires.
The only other concern I have is that some of the items are better described then others.
Some make no reference to what drive sizes they will support, others say under 200, etc.

EDIT - Providing I am "sorta" getting this I do have a question with respects the power.
The one end of the adapter goes into the available IDE slot, then the data wire goes from the adapter to the SATA hard drive.
But does the power connection go from the adapter into the hard drive, or from the adapter into the available connection from where the IDE drive was unplugged ?

[mike boss]

I found this image online.
This makes it look like these adapters are universal (work both ways).
But this looks like I need SATA to IDE.
As I wanted install the SATA hard drive into an IDE slot.

[Havok]

Looks like that one will work. Go for it!

 

[mike boss]

I'm waiting on the seller to confirm for me if this will work with a 750GB SATA HDD.
I also wanted to be sure it included the cables, the graphic on the links says yes, the description (in writing does not).
But this looks to be a good one.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/IDE-to-SATA-SATA-to-IDE-Drive-Dual-Convert-Adapter_W0QQitemZ190384943327QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Components?hash=item2c53d3b0df

I found an article on imaging (cloning) a hard drive.
I'll need to do a little more looking into is....since I'll need to wait on my parts from Hong Kong.
Anyone use any of these programs ?

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/09/05/5-free-apps-to-clone-your-hard-drive/

[Havok]

That one looks good. However, you will still need to power the SATA drive. The power connection on the board is to power the converter. You will also need one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/4-Pin-pins-IDE-to-Serial-ATA-SATA-Power-Adapter-Cable_W0QQitemZ250596538251QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a58b7b78b

[mike boss]

Turns out the link to the adapter I posted will not support a 750GB SATA drive.
So it's back to the drawing board to find something that will.
Thanks Havok for reminding me I'll need the power cable.
Once I find a suitable adapter on Ebay.ca (with free shipping I hope) I'll pick up the cable.
The USB thing I ordered shipped, so that will be great for when I get around to cloning the drive.

[Havok]

Good luck!

[gryhnd]

Is it too late to just decase your PC and make room for another IDE drive? Would be a lot more straight forward and less prone to glitches introduced by the added layers of add on cards.

Dells come apart very easily. Yours looks like my GX260...and I did just that.

Or are you looking for drives of greater capacity than what you can easily and cheaply get for IDE?

[mike boss]

The PC itself is for my jukebox project and came with a 40GB internal HDD.
I used it in connection with my EXT 160GB MAXTOR drive.
But I didn't like having to safely remove hardware every time for power down.
Especially since Uncle T's program which I use can be shut down via the touchscreen and options contained within the program itself.
In a haste I went out and got the 750GB SATA drive. Motivated by the price and size NEVER thinking about compatibility.
So now I'm stuck with the drive. I could always make it into an external and search for an IDE, and in fact I might do that.
As is I sent about 30 emails to different EBAY sellers regarding these adapters.
3 got back to me saying the item would work, so for under $10 CDN I ordered two. In the event that one doesn't work I'd like the back up ready.
This will eliminate waiting in between. Should this not work I'm back to the drawing board.

So now I just need to wait for the power wire (ordered) and the two adapters (ordered) and try my luck.
I'll go from there..............

Wish me luck !

If anyone has any other suggestions advice on the cloning of the drive I'd love the info.
I'm very new to this so I'm unsure of what I'm doing/making.
I just now I want a copy  that can be inserted when the old drive  removed and that it should work like a charm.
Is it to be something bootable ? Again I'm a NOOB.....................sorry  !

[Cakemeister]

I had to do this exact task this week and I used CloneZilla. Get the ISO image and burn it to a CD or DVD, then install both drives in your computer and boot from the CD. Make sure you know which disk is which.

It was a snap.