iFixit

SuperDuper does not clone a Windows partition according to their site. I haven't tried it myself, but I believe them. : )

[quote|Sarabian]SuperDuper does ''not'' clone a Windows partition according to their site. I haven't tried it myself, but I believe them. : )[/quote]

I use Carbon Copy Cloner for most all drive copying.

Typically I boot the machine in Target mode then clone using another running system to assure no data is in use on the source drive.

Also on any computer I service, Mac and PC, I always setup an additional user account with full administrative rights. This not only lets me troubleshoot a user account by logging in differently but allows checking default values (Dock, Finder etc.) against those which may have been customized. As mentioned, a new drive should be properly partitioned and formatted before cloning is attempted. For peace of mind, keep the old drive intact for at least a week or so after cloning and new drive installation, just in case a malfunction occurs. This form of backup can be a lifesaver.

So far as Windows installations, it depends on whether you are running virtually or natively. Virtual machines (VMware, Virtual Box, Parallels etc.) will usually copy fine, because they are sets of files in OS X. Boot Camp and similar native installations utilize separate dedicated partitions, which some programs may not be able to clone, due to NTFS formatting.

Best of luck to you.

[quote|analogcd]I use Carbon Copy Cloner for most all drive copying. Typically I boot the machine in Target mode then clone using another running system to assure no data is in use on the source drive. Also on any computer I service, Mac and PC, I always setup an additional user account with full administrative rights. This not only lets me troubleshoot a user account by logging in differently but allows checking default values (Dock, Finder etc.) against those which may have been customized. As mentioned, a new drive should be properly partitioned and formatted before cloning is attempted. For peace of mind, keep the old drive intact for at least a week or so after cloning and new drive installation, just in case a malfunction occurs. This form of backup can be a lifesaver. So far as Windows installations, it depends on whether you are running virtually or natively. Virtual machines (VMware, Virtual Box, Parallels etc.) will usually copy fine, because they are sets of files in OS X. Boot Camp and similar native installations utilize separate dedicated partitions, which some programs may not be able to clone, due to NTFS formatting. Best of luck to you.[/quote]

I have experience using Drive Genius II which is different than most "cloning" software in that it makes and "exact" copy. Nothing is lost in the transition. I use a Cables Unlimited USB to SATA interface. The Cables Unlimited unit is about a thirty five dollar unit and Drive Genius II is about a 60 dollar software program. However, Drive Genius II does tons of other tasks like defragmenting your hard drive. (Yes, Macs DO need defragmenting) So it's good even after you clone your new hard disc. In fact, Apple Genius bars have been know to use Drive Genius. Of course, everyone has their own flavor of what they like, just throwing my 2 cents into the fray.

[quote|customerservice]I have experience using Drive Genius II which is different than most "cloning" software in that it makes and "exact" copy. Nothing is lost in the transition. I use a Cables Unlimited USB to SATA interface. The Cables Unlimited unit is about a thirty five dollar unit and Drive Genius II is about a 60 dollar software program. However, Drive Genius II does tons of other tasks like defragmenting your hard drive. (Yes, Macs DO need defragmenting) So it's good even after you clone your new hard disc. In fact, Apple Genius bars have been know to use Drive Genius. Of course, everyone has their own flavor of what they like, just throwing my 2 cents into the fray.[/quote]

I am replacing the HD on my Macbook Pro. How do most software programs react to the hardware change. Specifically, iTunes & Photoshop. Do I need to "de-activate" before cloning. In other words will iTunes think I have a new computer, taking up another of the 5 allowable pcs where I can store my iTunes purchases? Same question for Photoshop. Will it think I have put it on a new PC? I will be using Drive Genius II for the clone.

Also, when Drive Genius clones my 120GB drive to my new 500GB drive, will it show up as a partition within the 500GB or will I have a single partition 500GB drive (my preference).

Cheers, Joe Mac

[quote|jmmcg9]I am replacing the HD on my Macbook Pro. How do most software programs react to the hardware change. Specifically, iTunes & Photoshop. Do I need to "de-activate" before cloning. In other words will iTunes think I have a new computer, taking up another of the 5 allowable pcs where I can store my iTunes purchases? Same question for Photoshop. Will it think I have put it on a new PC? I will be using Drive Genius II for the clone. Also, when Drive Genius clones my 120GB drive to my new 500GB drive, will it show up as a partition within the 500GB or will I have a single partition 500GB drive (my preference). Cheers, Joe Mac[/quote]

I haven't had problems just swapping the HDD. But when I move my drive into a new computer, iTunes and Adobe apps freak out. When you're moving a hard drive to a new machine, I recommend deactivating applications like his first to free up the license for the new computer.

Adobe support has NOT been helpful when I've called with issues like this, so it's best to deal with it ahead of time.

[quote|Kyle Wiens]I haven't had problems just swapping the HDD. But when I move my drive into a new computer, iTunes and Adobe apps freak out. When you're moving a hard drive to a new machine, I recommend deactivating applications like his first to free up the license for the new computer. Adobe support has NOT been helpful when I've called with issues like this, so it's best to deal with it ahead of time.[/quote]

If you use Drive Genius II, you will get an exact copy of whatever is on your hard drive. There will be no partitions.

[quote|customerservice]If you use Drive Genius II, you will get an exact copy of whatever is on your hard drive. There will be no partitions.[/quote]

Oops... no partitions, UNLESS you already have partitions on the source copy Hard Drive Disk.

[quote|customerservice]Oops... no partitions, UNLESS you already have partitions on the source copy Hard Drive Disk.[/quote]

Thx for the feedback. Drive Genius II worked with no issues. It gave an exact copy and maintained the single partition of the 500G drive. I didn't deactivate any programs. Everything seems to be working ok.

Thx, Joe Mac

[quote|jmmcg9]Thx for the feedback. Drive Genius II worked with no issues. It gave an exact copy and maintained the single partition of the 500G drive. I didn't deactivate any programs. Everything seems to be working ok. Thx, Joe Mac[/quote]

How do you deactivate iTunes and Adobe apps?

[quote|Ron0926]How do you deactivate iTunes and Adobe apps?[/quote]

Ron,

For iTunes choose "Deauthorize computer..." under the Store pulldown menu.

For Photoshop choose "Deactivate" under the "Help" pulldown menu.

Cheers, Joe Mac

[quote|jmmcg9]Ron, For iTunes choose "Deauthorize computer..." under the Store pulldown menu. For Photoshop choose "Deactivate" under the "Help" pulldown menu. Cheers, Joe Mac[/quote]

I've read all the replies and I thank you all. They've been helpful and I think I can replace my old HDD with a bigger one in my Macbook. I would like to post another question though. If I clone, as suggested by the "Ifixit" guide, the old HDD to the new one, can I, at the same time, make a new partition to the new HDD so that it has two partitions? I use Tiger 10.4.11.

Thanks in advance.

Kostas

[quote|kostas]I've read all the replies and I thank you all. They've been helpful and I think I can replace my old HDD with a bigger one in my Macbook. I would like to post another question though. If I clone, as suggested by the "Ifixit" guide, the old HDD to the new one, can I, at the same time, make a new partition to the new HDD so that it has two partitions? I use Tiger 10.4.11. Thanks in advance. Kostas[/quote]

Sure. You need to prepare the "target" HD by partitioning first. Split it so that you have at least the same amount of space in one partition as the "source" drive, (you can't put 100 GB of data into a 50 GB partition). Once the partitions are setup, use a cloning program to send desired data 'copy' to newer location. That should work fine. Best of luck.

[quote|analogcd]Sure. You need to prepare the "target" HD by partitioning first. Split it so that you have at least the same amount of space in one partition as the "source" drive, (you can't put 100 GB of data into a 50 GB partition). Once the partitions are setup, use a cloning program to send desired data 'copy' to newer location. That should work fine. Best of luck.[/quote]

Thank you "analogcd" for your reply.

I did the job nicely and now the new HDD works fine. I just want to mention something for the people that will do the same procedure and might be surprised. After cloning the old HDD and restarting the computer for testing I noticed that, when hitting spotlight, the Mac was indexing the new HDD. This procedure lasted about three hours! I am not into the computer technology so I decided to let it finish first and then test the bootable ability of the new hard drive. Everything went fine as I mentioned above.

Thanks again.

[quote|kpikoulas]Thank you "analogcd" for your reply. I did the job nicely and now the new HDD works fine. I just want to mention something for the people that will do the same procedure and might be surprised. After cloning the old HDD and restarting the computer for testing I noticed that, when hitting spotlight, the Mac was indexing the new HDD. This procedure lasted about three hours! I am not into the computer technology so I decided to let it finish first and then test the bootable ability of the new hard drive. Everything went fine as I mentioned above. Thanks again.[/quote]