Moving files to new external hard drive

wendell2643 · Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 13

I have a 40GB external hard drive (designated "F") where I store my picture files. I access it daily. It is almost full, and I would like to replace it with a new external 300GB drive. What is the best way to move the contents of my current 40GB F drive to the new 300GB drive and to keep the designation "F" for the new one?

Thanks,
Wendell

patio · Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 5598

Hook up the new HDD and use the HDD manufacturer's software to clone the 40 onto the 300G.
You can then erase the 40 and use it for whatever you like...
As far as drive letter assignments simply rtight clik My Computer, select Manage and you can assign the letters you wish for each drive...

If you have a DVD burner you could also burn the data to DVD's and then transfer it over to the new HDD. This method kills 2 birds with one stone as you then have physical copies of all your data.

patio. Cool

wendell2643 · Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 13

Thanks, Patio. I also like your tip about burning to DVDs.
Wendell

User: inactive Posts:

I would just transfer all the files to a temp folder on your desktop... switch drives, then copy them over to the 300.

patio · Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 5598

You're Welcome...

And Welcome Aboard !

patio. Cool

wendell2643 · Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 13

Well, pctec, I'm trying to do as you suggested:
"I would just transfer all the files to a temp folder on your desktop... switch drives, then copy them over to the 300." But I'm running into messages such as this when I attempt the copy to a temp folder: "Cannot copy Brook and Charlie. The requested operation cannot be performed on a file with a user-mapped section open" and "Cannot copy . . . " for some other reason. When I click "OK" the copy process stops and the window closes, leaving me "in midstream" not knowingt how much has been already been copied, etc. When I begin the copying again the process eventually hangs up at some other place.

Any suggestions -- from anybody?

Thanks,
Wendell

Werebo

Allo Wendell Smile

When copying the files across, try copying them in 'blocks'. It may well take a bit of trial 'n' error to get the size optimal, but try a block of about 50Mb, then 100Mb etc.

I found the same messages waiting when copying about 18Gb of files between my 2 PC's...

brat · Joined: Jun 05, 2003 Posts: 2326

I asked Brat what he does, he said he hooks both External HDDs to the PC then drag what he wants to the other HDD.

I don't understand what he means sorry.

wendell2643 · Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 13

I completed the job! It surely was more of a time-consuming chore than I had anticipated. I ended up copying across mostly "in blocks." I found and deleted three corrupted files (all were music files, by the way). Thanks to everyone who responded . . .

Wendell

Werebo

Glad to hear/read that you got it sorted out Wendell

...

usasma · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 5007

Sometimes it helps to copy these things in Safe Mode or from a DOS prompt to avoid errors.

There's also backup programs out there that will copy most "in-use" or "locked" files - but AFAIK they require payment to access this option. I have a copy of SyncBackSE (paid for) that I use for this.