Copying contents of hardisk

[umpalumpa]

Hi all,

I currently have problems with the partions on my main hard drive. I repaired the problem but I'm still getting some partition errors and don't want to risk losing all my data. I was wondering if it would be possible to make a complete copy of my C: to my second hard drive, re-format and re-partiotion my primary hard disk, and then shift everything back? Would everything work as normal or would it screw my system up? i.e. would my OS and programs all stil be recognised. I'm trying to avoid reinstalling everything from scratch hence trying the copy-accross-and-back-again, as my PC came with a ghost image partition for reinstallation, so when I reformat and partition my primary HD, that'll go as well.

Thanks.

 

[PC eye]

The main problem you would have ghosting the drive would seen when the same problems are included. The best thing to do there is to use the second drive to store data and files along with verifying their intregrity before wiping the primary. When you go to wipe the primary for the repartitioning and reformat with the Windows installer temporarily leave the second drive unplugged.

Upon completion of the reinstallation of Windows you will then want to replug the second drive in order to have it freshly detected by the new copy of Windows. That will make transfer of files back to the primary more reliable. Cloning back an forth risks the loss of file integrity.