Swapping Hard Drives And Moving Data

So my hard drive is failing, and I'm getting a new one. I just did a fresh install of Win7 a few months ago, and I since it's a relatively fresh install, I was hoping I can just move my data to the new drive. I know there are many software programs that clone/backup drives, but I have a copy of TrueImage 2010, and I would like to use that (but I am open to better options). Below is my plan. I would like to know if there's a flaw in it so I can catch it before the point of no return (i.e., I got a new drive installed, but no way to restore my data).

• Backup my C: drive with TrueImage (It won't let me use the "Clone" feature since it does not detect 2 drives on my machine).

• Install new drive

• Partition drive (?)

• Use the TrueImage Boot Disc to restore from backup

Solution 1:

Acronis TrueImage is very powerful. I'm mostly familiar with their live cd. If you are having trouble cloning your drive, first try their live CD before giving up on them. Also make sure that you have both drives hooked up properly and that both drives show up properly in the BIOS. It should let you clone from the live cd.

These are other good backup tools that I am aware of that you can try if you don't like Acronis.

PING

Macrium Reflect

CloneZilla