Last step: Backup of old HDD files

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510
Hi Guys, need some help here. Recently my internal hdd of my desktop died out on me. I therefore got a new 1tb toshiba HDD. I've just finished installing windows 7.

Now the last part of changing the HDD is to try backup the old files. The parts I want to extract are from the user folder. When I click on the folder, it says permission is needed then I click Continue but it keeps loading and nothing happens. Is there anyway I can backup, move or extract the files over to my new hard disk?

Additional info: My HDD has read/write problem.

Thanks!
Any help will definitely be appreciated!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460
Did you install the hard drive into your PC already? If so great!


To install Windows 7 on your PC:

To do this, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

Restart your computer.

Press the key that will open the boot-selection menu when prompted directly after the BIOS screen, and then follow the instructions that appear.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, choose the partition containing your previous version of Windows (this is often the computer's C: drive), and then click Next.


Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510
Hmm.. The HDD is a brand new one. I suppose when I remove the old HDD the windows will be gone right?

What I'm doing now is replacing the old HDD with a new one. So, from my understanding now, I have to insert a windows installation disk with my new HDD and then install it from there using the BIOS am I right?

Oh yes, is there any way I can clone the OS from my brother's desktop and install it to my new HDD? So that I do not have to get the windows installer disc. Or is a clean windows install recommended?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460
Clean install is recommended since your brothers PC doesn't have the same hardware.

You pull out old hard drive from your PC, then put in the new one, and then began to install Windows.

Do you still have your Windows CD-Key for your current PC?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
WINDOWS:
Most computers do not come with an installation disc but rather a backup image on the hard drive to restore to in case of problems (but your hard drive is dead).

You have only two options:
1) obtain a disc from the manufacturer, or
2) BUY a copy of Windows

If you are forced to buy a copy I strongly recommend the following:
1) Windows 8 64-bit (under $100)
2) Stardock's START8 ($5)

Windows 8 is superior to Windows 7 in several ways (security, boot speed and more). The only real issue is the new interface (which may work in the future); this can easily be bypassed by using START8.

*Do not even attempt to install Windows on your machine if it's been installed on another machine.

Windows installation (simple overview)
1. Insert DISC and Install
2. Activate Windows
3. Update drivers (motherboard site, video driver site..)
4. Install software

*If possible, get another Hard Drive so you can make periodic BACKUPS of your Windows Partition in case your drive fails in the future. You'll also want to PARTITION that 1TB drive. If you don't game, 200GB should be plenty. Don't backup to a separate partition on the same drive though.

You may wish to hook up the old hard drive to see if you can still obtain any data off of it. I've had mixed success over the years.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510


Hi Photonboy, will definitely try your method. Hope I can find the installation disc.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

smeezekitty

Distinguished
Sep 11, 2012
6,960
0
18,460
I am going to disagree and recommend W7. All the "security" changes are mainly useless (only make theoretical difference). Boot times are improved but that does not matter to everyone.

Interface is ugly and you should not have to pay more to a third party to make it usable. Sorry but I just can't recommend it (despite only trying it once).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
edogawa

edogawa

Splendid
Jan 4, 2012
2,890
0
21,460
If you still have your Windows 7 key you can use any Windows 7 installation disc to install Windows again. If your system is from a company like dell or hp the key may be on a sticker on the machine somewhere.

As mentioned above you can get Windows 8, you will need to buy Start8 of course too, and since you will be using a hard drive this will be good because Windows 8 boots fast even on a mechanical hard drive.

Also with Windows 8, you can setup Windows 8 to automatically backup to another drive really easily via file history and restore them if needed.

Anyways, you should also look into online cloud storage like Google drive or Skyrdrive for file backup too if you have important files you don't want to lose.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510
Hi guys, I've got a new problem now. Now I got the windows installation disc. But when I tried to install, I click install now and it gives me this error: Load Drive
A required CD/DVD Drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash, please insert it now.

What should I do now? :(
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510
Guys, it gets to work now, I've installed windows. But I'm having problem to the internet.

When I tried to connect to an internet through network and sharing center, setup a connection or network, connect to internet, it says that windows did not detect any networking hardware, can anyone help me what can I do to find the installation or the steps to install the network port?

Thanks!
More abo
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

wqwave

Honorable
Dec 31, 2012
11
0
10,510
Guys I've installed network driver. Thanks for all your help! I'm really happy this community provides such great help. You guys are wonderful. Now the last step is to "try" backup the old disk. Hmm.. Actually the parts I want to extract are from the user folder. When I click on the folder, it says permission is needed then I click Continue but it keeps loading and nothing happens. Is there anyway I can backup, move or extract the files over to my new hard disk?

Additional info: My HDD has read/write problem.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom