Copying dual boot hard disk to a new one

[techtata]

Hi,I have a pc with a single hard drive of 40 GB with two partitions. One has Windows XP and another has Fedora Linux of 20 GB each. I want to copy the entire hard drive including both the partitions with their respective operating systems (not only the files or folders) to a new hard drive of 200 GB and use it in a new desktop. Is it possible to do so? Is it what disk cloning is all about?As far as I know, disk cloning can be done with a software which makes an image of the entire hard drive and stores it on a DVD and then one can just boot a new pc with the DVD. Is it the process?If I happen to boot the new pc with this DVD, then how do I install the Windows and Fedora Linux operating systems or say copy them from being an image on the DVD to the new hard drive in the new desktop?I need some clarification here, as to cloning means copy the operating system itself including its folders and files as they reside there. My intention is to make another hard drive in my new pc as the same in the old pc. Thanks...

 

[Sushubh]

frankly speaking i would not suggest what you are aiming to do. it might be technically possible even though you are talking about two hard disks of different capacities. mirroring is usually done with similar sized hard disks. i would still suggest to install the two OS manually. they would perform better on a new fresh install.

 

[amish]

As admin said, its not recommended but here you go:
clone harddisk using dd - Google Search

 

[techtata]

mirroring is usually done with similar sized hard disks.

Thanks, I never knew that. Actually I am totally new to the concept of cloning or mirroring. I just want to copy the contents of one existing hard drive including its paritions, installed OS (Windows and Linux) and files, folders and their setting to a totally new hard drive and just start using this new hard in a new pc without having to install the OS or applications.

I am still to learn more about cloning and the necessary technicalities. Please convery your expert views on this, thanks...

---------- Post added at 11:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ----------

Hi,

Here is a case which is similar to mine ie dual boot system with a single hard disk.

Cloning a dual-boot hard disk - Ubuntu Forums

Here the guy has Ubuntu and Windows XP, while I have Fedora and Windows XP. Please suggest me something after looking at this page.

There are a few options suggest in the replies by others to the original cloning query. They are

PartImage
Acronis TrueImage
GParted used with the dd command
Norton Ghost 2003

Thanks...

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------

The size of the hard disk on the destination computer must also be the same size or larger than the reference computer.

SolutionBase: Using Sysprep to create a Windows XP image

 

[amish]

Watever u try make sure that u dont erase data from original disk for 1 month or so.