Almost dead hard disk - need help

[rodm]

My PC has been reporting a bad primary drive during start up for the last two days. It is still working but I give it a real hammering and I don't want to risk loosing data. I have Windows XP service pack 1 and do not want to do a re-install as on a modem it takes a couple of sessions to download service pack 2.
I can create a backup of my current version of XP but will this be OK to use as a restore? I have two hard drives on my computer so space is not a problem.
My idea at the moment is to get a new hard drive and install my original XP (SP1) and then do a restore from the backup.
Will this work?
If not are there any freeware utilities I can use to do this?

[Groggy]

Rod,

if you are not sure what needs to be done, it may be easiest to buy the hard disk from a center that will do a ghost of the disk for you.

[Iain]

My old hard drive had stuffed bearings and was slowing down, I was told that I was lucky that I didn't physically damage the disc as when it slows it makes contact with part of the drive and causes irrepairable damage.
Check it soon and don't risk permamnent loss of data.
Also beware of SP2 if you have a firewall in place as this will conflict in certain areas, I lost all my USB ports and everytime I plugged in a device it was blocked as an unwanted intruder.

[johna]

not sure what a store will charge to do a ghost backup, but if its any more or close to $100 you might be better of buying a program like Norton ghost and doing your own backup.
With a program like this it will save you the need to re-install programs. It will do a complete backup so you can have your new HDD ready to go in no time

[vsquizz]

A good computer shop will give you SP 2 (Incl SP 1) on a disk. XP back-up does work, well it did for me once and saved my bacon. I think you would be better off going for a fresh instal.

Norton Ghost is fantastic but expensive to but new.

Cheers

[johnmc]

Another program to investigate is Drive Copy by Powerquest (makers of Partition Magic). This has wizards to take you through all the steps required for full drive images, partition copies, drive formatting, etc.

[rodm]

Thanks for the help. I will have a go using Windows backup and restore tonight and see what happens. My data is already backed up so the risk is low but inconvience high.

[Cliff Rogers]

G'day.

URGENT!!!! Get your important data off NOW!!!!

If the drive is having errors, most of the 'image' software will fail while you are trying to copy the crook drive.

If it was me,(I have access to lots of parts,) I'd stick a new HDD in as a 2nd drive & copy as much of my important data as possible NOW.
Then, I'd run up another new HDD in the PC as the primary & the copy the data back from the 2nd drive. (I always use 2 HDDs in a PC, one is a backup drive)

You should be able to get a copy of SP2 from a computer shop, we have several, or go to a big Newsagents with lots of Computer mags & troll through them til you find one that has it on the CD on the front cover.

[ozwinner]

. well it did for me once and saved my bacon. Cheers

Wouldnt that have been, saved your pancake??

Al :confused:

[rodm]

A quick update
Thanks Cliff - I also have a second drive for backup and that was the first thing I did once the hard drive reported bad.
Took a couple of nights but a fresh install and service pack two borrowed from a Techo got me up and running. Rest of time installing programs and defraging, etc.
Thanks to all