What is the best way to duplicate a laptop hard disk?

karhoe · 8th Aug 2009, 09:01 PM

Hi guys,

I have two identical laptops which I am supposed to install Windows 7 on it.

On the first laptop, I have installed all the drivers and softwares.

I do not wish to repeat the tedious process on the second laptop so i thought of transferring the whole hard disk content to the 2nd laptop.

At first thought, I thought of creating a backup using Windows 7 built in Backup function and then copy the entire backup file to the 2nd laptop and restore it, no idea if it will work, because Windows, as we know is very particular on licensing.

If that were to fail, any other softwares you guys suggest? Doesn't matter if its a trial software because it's a one time off thingy.

Thanks

Chai · 9th Aug 2009, 11:21 AM

My current favourite is Acronis.

lee_what2004 · 9th Aug 2009, 11:59 AM

Acronis! Never fail on me.

karhoe · 9th Aug 2009, 08:20 PM

Alright, will give it a try.

Well, anyway anyone tried the built in restore feature of Vista?

DarKSeeD · 10th Aug 2009, 03:41 AM

As the others stated, Acronis! Used many times, never failed. Clone the hdd, move/backup data, easy as 1-2-3.

Chai · 10th Aug 2009, 08:29 AM

It's so good I can use it to switch OS!

Lacus · 10th Aug 2009, 10:24 PM

usually i use either Ghost (norton ghost i think) or acronis

guess almost everyone uses Acronis now XD

karhoe · 15th Aug 2009, 11:50 AM

Acronis True Image right?

On trial, enough to backup and restore?

8th Aug 2009, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
karhoe Active Join Date: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 599 Reputation: 11 Rep Power: 3	What is the best way to duplicate a laptop hard disk? Hi guys, I have two identical laptops which I am supposed to install Windows 7 on it. On the first laptop, I have installed all the drivers and softwares. I do not wish to repeat the tedious process on the second laptop so i thought of transferring the whole hard disk content to the 2nd laptop. At first thought, I thought of creating a backup using Windows 7 built in Backup function and then copy the entire backup file to the 2nd laptop and restore it, no idea if it will work, because Windows, as we know is very particular on licensing. If that were to fail, any other softwares you guys suggest? Doesn't matter if its a trial software because it's a one time off thingy. Thanks __________________ My Blog SPM Timetable 2009

9th Aug 2009, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	My current favourite is Acronis. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

9th Aug 2009, 11:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
lee_what2004 Super Active Join Date: 28 Dec 2007 Location: Melaka Posts: 1,313 Reputation: 1106 Rep Power: 14	Acronis! Never fail on me. __________________ Once a wise-man said : Chapter 1: Don't ever compare if you want to stay constant..... Chapter 2: Whatever you have done in the internet, you will never get away from it... Chapter 3:To be continued after I thought another one

9th Aug 2009, 08:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
karhoe Active Join Date: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 599 Reputation: 11 Rep Power: 3	Alright, will give it a try. Well, anyway anyone tried the built in restore feature of Vista? __________________ My Blog SPM Timetable 2009

10th Aug 2009, 03:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
DarKSeeD BOG Translator Join Date: 30 Oct 2004 Location: Sighisoara, Romania Posts: 336 Reputation: 101 Rep Power: 7	As the others stated, Acronis! Used many times, never failed. Clone the hdd, move/backup data, easy as 1-2-3. __________________ Gizas! what a mess

10th Aug 2009, 08:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	It's so good I can use it to switch OS! __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

10th Aug 2009, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lacus Super Active Join Date: 28 Mar 2008 Location: Some gundam factory o.o Posts: 1,302 Reputation: 180 Rep Power: 4	usually i use either Ghost (norton ghost i think) or acronis guess almost everyone uses Acronis now XD __________________ GUNDAM 00[Intel Xeon E3110 E0 Stock\|Asus Rampage Maximus Formula (Rampage Bios Mod)\|Gigabyte HD4850 512MB GDDR3+T-Rad2\|4x2gb DDR2 1000Mhz OCZ SLI-Ready Edition\|Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB\|Creative X-FI XtremeMusic\|Creative Inspire P5800\|Silverstone Strider ST56F\|Acer X233H\|Keyboard=Microsoft Sidewinder X6\|Logitech MX518\|Lian Li PC-7YCF]

15th Aug 2009, 11:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
karhoe Active Join Date: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 599 Reputation: 11 Rep Power: 3	Acronis True Image right? On trial, enough to backup and restore? __________________ My Blog SPM Timetable 2009

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