The Portable Freeware Collection Forums

Now, mind you, when I say "simple", I mean *** idiot-proof ***.

I don't need a portable software for this, but I'm hoping for some recommendations from folks who have hands-on experience with good freeware programs.

I want to clone my drive (running XP Pro SP2) because I don't have, and can no longer create, recovery disks. (it started as OEM Vista, I wanted XP dual-boot, but the install went wrong, and he didn't make a set of recovery disks before he started ..... so Vista got wiped --- this could be Nature's way of telling me to avoid Vista ......

I don't want to have to go through all the hassle of re-installing all my drivers and codecs manually ever again, so I want to image the drive.

Any advice for me?

I must say I have only used Norton Ghost, which is not freeware, but there are a few freeware choices on Snapfiles that may do what you need. I have a few links to some of the review pages...

http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/Drive ... e-XML.html

http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/xxclone/xxclone.html

http://www.snapfiles.com/opinions/HDClo ... ition.html

Of the afore mentioned programs I would more likely go with DriveImage XML just because someone compared it as being "Better than Ghost". However xxclone looks too easy to not try out. HDClone looks like a freeware attempt to frazzle you into buying the full product, but there were quite a few people that weren't put off by its watered down performance, and commented on its ease of use. I know you said you were looking for someone with personal experience using the programs, but I hope this is helpful none the less. Snapfiles is a great resource for finding cool new programs, and I probably spend a few hours a week looking through their freeware.

DriveImageXML worked like a charm for my Vista partition when a hard drive died on me (after giving me a much-appreciated 1-day notice!), but I haven't been able to restore a backup of an XP partition (though the fact that I was trying to restore it into a virtual machine may have had something to do with it).

Anyway, it's portable and in the database: http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=496

The biggest bonus is that you can clone your XP installation as it's running. Just install DriveImageXML, connect the destination drive, choose "Drive to Drive", make sure to choose the correct drive letters, and let 'er rip.

If it doesn't work, you'll know as soon as you swap the replacement drive in, and you haven't lost more than the time you waited.

Speaking of which, it starts out showing that the operation will take several hours, but it usually drops down quickly and takes around 30 minutes.

I've tried some freeware boot disks, mostly versions of gparted, perhaps with other tools, and none were as simple for a Windows user as DriveImageXML.

cOOl, thanks guys.

I'm going to try DriveImageXML (although one review I skimmed through seemed to be saying that using it to restore the drive would require a BartPE disk --- I haven't gone down that road yet!)

XXClone looks very promising, lovely simple gui, and documentation promises to make a bootable image on a second drive.


Hey, what can I say, we're having terrible cold winter-style weather, and I can't think of a happier way to spend my weekend than trying new toys


Thank you so much for the recommendations.

Hd clone Free works great!!!!! However it's only for cloaning smaller drive to bigger drive you need non free for more. However it is the best tool (in combo with USB to Drive Conversion Hardware) to upgrade a client/friend's hardware to a bigger drive. that said it seems this is solved <sigh>

Here is a link for free Acronis Imaging Software.
http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2007/0 ... aging.html

Hope this helps

How to Clone a Hard Drive without extra software.

http://www.i-hack.org/computer/other-co ... tware.html

Wow, thanks guys for all the responses.

I'll be testing and comparing for a while, and see which system can be advertised as the most "granny-proof".



Later, y'all.

i use ping: http://ping.windowsdream.com/

it's quick, easy, and even allows you to create bootable cds that automatically restore your images.

I just read about this one on LifeHacker.

Article on LifeHacker
http://lifehacker.com/395990/macrium-re ... on+the+fly

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition Home Page
http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp

well, i use DriveImage XML for my backups,
works for me and all, ^-^

but id kill for a free backup program that worked like DXML and did incremental backups,
a portable one would be a major bonus just because i dont like installing things on my system,

...but yeah, i can dream i guess,


also ltns guys, but meh,

Macrium full edition is available on Give Away of the Day for Free. 10 hours left to get it.

Info on LifeHacker...
http://lifehacker.com/396250/free-today ... ormally-40

Give Away of the Day Download Page...
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/macrium-reflect/

You must activate and install it within this time frame...

I use IRestorer. Very easy and fast. I can't find the homepage but here is a download link: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Bac ... orer.shtml

Bahamut wrote:I use IRestorer. Very easy and fast. I can't find the homepage but

Interesting find. IRestorer Homepage @ http://irestorer.parsaspace.ir/

Thank you for the homepage link. I like that app alot.