Clone XP to new hard drive.

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firefrost

New Member
I have a dual boot system on my computer with two HDD's.
The primary master has XP sp3 on it, capacity: 40GB.
The other has two partitions, 60GB and 90GB. The 60GB is empty and the 90GB has Windows 7 home premium on it.
I want to put XP on the empty partition and thought I could use Acronis True Image,WD edition, both my drives are WD.
However when I tried that a message came up saying I could not clone XP to the empty partition because there was a partition with data on it. It has to be a bare drive. I know I could delete Win 7 and then install it again after the clone but is there a way round this?. Comments appreciated. Firefrost.
 
Since you have a dual boot system and i'm assuming you will be formatting the original 40gb xp install? The problem you have is the boot loader after moving XP to the other drive. All your boot files will be screwed up. I would recommend following one of these sites to help you accomplish this, or at least try to. However, you might be better off just reinstalling XP to the drive you want it it on and then reinstalling windows 7 afterwards so all the boot files and dual boot will work properly.

However, is an article on how to do it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

Look down toward the bottom where it says method 2 when windows 7 is installed first.

If you want other articles about the same thing then just follow these.

http://www.google.com/search?source...=dual+booting+xp+and+7+with+7+installed+first
 
OK,thanks for that, it seems to be more complicated than I thought. I started reading Acronis user manual but it goes to over 50 pages so gave up on that.
Basically my 40GB XP drive is old and getting noisy so want to move it to a new drive.
I have another new WD drive so I think I will take out the Win 7 one and replace it with the new. Then re-install XP on it and transfer all files and folders from the 40 GB to it.
Finally, take out the 40 GB drive and replace the W 7. Will that work ok without creating any problems in the registry?. Firefrost.
 
If wnidows 7 will still be installed and you install XP then you'll still screw up the boot loader. I would take the time and do fresh installs of both if you can. Install XP first and then install 7.
 
Sorry, I have been away for the week and would like to get back on this thread. I would like to just clone the XP drive to a larger one but not if it screws up everything. I am surprised Acronis offers this if it can't be done safely. If I go down the route of re-installing XP and Win 7 as a dual boot, would I have to format XP To take it off the computer completely or could I just remove the Disk and keep it as back-up?
I am a bit wary about wiping XP in case it does not install again properly. Any help appreciated. Firefrost.
 
I would follow that link I gave you, it seem pretty straight forward. Like said before just go down on that page where it says method 2 when windows 7 in installed first.

But in my opinion, if its been a whle since a fresh install has been done of XP then I would just install fresh on the empty partition and follow the guide on that link I gave you.
 
John, If I go for fresh install do I have to Format XP to remove it from the computer rather than just taking the Disk out and keeping for back-up? XP has been in for about 8 years but the computer is working well and installed Win 7 ok.
 
You do not have to format the drive you are taking out. Like said, it would be good to keep for backup in case something happens.
 
Thanks, I thought just taking it out might not be enough and that it would have to be un-installed to clear files in the computer. I will try a clean install in the next few days. Firefrost.
 
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