How To Copy Drive Using XP
At one time, many Disk Mfgrs install software would copy an old partition from the old drive to the new, but did not support copying an XP partition. This may have now changed. Check with the mfgr of the new drive.
To use XP's way, in general, to switch dives you must export files and settings to a folder on your current drive, install the new one and install XP on it, then import files and settings from the folder they were exported to on the old drive. Below the next paragraph are more detailed instructions for installing new drives.
If you want a new install, but need to keep your settings (user accounts/drivers/docs/application settings/etc) use the "File and Settings Transfer" Wizard in XP to make a backup of all your data/settings to your current drive. When done, shutdown, install the new drive as master (you may want to remove the old drive for safety and to avoid confusion), and install XP as per normal on a new/clean PC.
When installed, shutdown, add the old drive back as a slave, boot back into your new clean install of XP, and run the files and settings transfer wizard in restore mode. Point it to your old drive and the folder/file that you saved your settings in (should show up as D Drive).
The following step-by-step installation instructions are for both a new installation and for adding a secondary drive.
Install the new drive
Install the drive. Set the BIOS to "Auto-Detect". Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM and restart the system. Follow on-screen prompts. At the "create partition" screen, highlight the drive. Press "Enter" to set-up Windows XP Or, if you want FAT32 (32 Gig max) Press "C" to create a partition Finish the rest of the installation.
Reinstalling the old drive as Slave
Connect the drive. Start Windows XP. Go to the "Control Panel". Click on "Performance and Maintenance", "Administrative Tools", "Computer Management", "Storage", "Disk Management" In "Disk Management" you will see the active hard disks. Disk 0 is the Primary drive. Disk 1 and greater are secondary storage. If the description of Disk 1 is "Not Initialized" then right-click on the "Disk 1" icon and select "Initialize". Select the disk to be initialized and select "Continue".
After both drives are installed and 'signed' by XP, you can do the import. You can then reactivate XP via the internet, since not enough has changed to warrant a call to Microsoft.
Note that this method is the same one recommended by Microsoft for earlier OSes - use Backup to backup the drive, install the new one, install Windows on it, and restore the backup. XP just adds a couple of twists to the process.
For proper installation of a drive using Windows XP, simply allow these operating systems to partition and format the drive during the installation of the operating system. Below you will find step-by-step instructions to assist you.
Single Install
1. Set BIOS to AUTO for all IDE devices-Since Windows XP acts as it's own BIOS.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive and restart the system.
3. Once at the Partitioning Page do the following: Create the partition size you want by pressing C.
If you are formatting as FAT32 each partition cannot be larger then 32 GB. Click on the following link for addtional information on this limitation: Microsoft's Knowledgebase.
If you are formatting as NTFS there is no size limit on partitions and just finish the Windows XP install.
Adding Second Drive
1. Set BIOS to AUTO for all IDE devices.
2. To partition a drive go to control panel.
3. In upper left corner of control panel. Click on "Switch to Classic".
4. Administrative Tools \ Computer Management \ Storage \ Disk Management
5. Once you click on Disk Management a wizard will appear called: Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard
Note: You must use this wizard to write a Signature to the drive otherwise, the hard drive will not work with the Windows XP.
Using Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard
6. Drives are numbered as follows: drive 0 being the boot drive and drive 1-3 are all other drives, (except CD's the first CD is CD 0 the second CD 1 and so forth).
7. After clicking next on first screen you need to select the drive you wish to install in this case Disk 1.
In first screen, you select the drive you are writing the signature to and on the next page you select the drive you are initializing and converting.
8. The next page shows the drive you selected to initialize. Make sure the drive is checked and hit Next.
9. The next page will give you the option to convert the drive, which you do not want to select. Leave drive unchecked and hit Next.
10. Then hit Finish.
Also, Windows XP needs to write a signature to the hard drive in order for hard drive to be used by the Windows XP
Partitioning/Formatting
11. Once done, right click in the unallocated space of the drive-this is what Windows XP calls un-partitioned space.
12. Then click on create partition.
13. A new wizard pops up:Create Partition Wizard-next to continue.
14. On the next page select either Primary, Extended or a Logical Partition and click next to continue.
15. Next assign a drive letter that is not in use by other devices then click next to continue
16. Next format the drive and select the type of format (NTFS or FAT32). Leave allocation unit size at default & label the drive as desired.
17. Edit the partition size, and if using FAT32. Don't create anything larger then 32GB.
18. And finish when done,
Note: You can format as NTFS in Windows XP, then you have no (real) limitation as the size of the partition-the theoretical limit is 8TB(terabytes)
1. Boot from you old hard drive (20 gb) and run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard from Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools. Make sure you save everything.
2. Remove the old hard drive, install the new drive as the boot drive, and install Windows XP clean onto it.
3. Install the old drive as a slave. Boot your new copy of XP and run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to import the saved data.
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