Duplicating Windows 95 Installation to a New Hard Disk

• Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

This article describes how to swap your current primary boot hard disk (usually drive C) with a different hard disk and retain your current files and system configuration in the process. This primarily involves installing Windows 95 on a new hard disk and ensuring proper identification of the new hardware. This process uses Microsoft Backup to back up and restore files and configuration and registry settings.

Note that the method described in this article cannot be used to copy Windows 95 installations to multiple computers. Microsoft only supports the use of the standard Setup procedure as described in the Windows 95 product documentation for each computer on which Windows 95 is installed.

WARNING: Before proceeding, fully review this article. Because of the many steps involved, use this article only if you feel you have sufficient experience to correctly perform all required steps. If not, the safest approach is to back up your data files, run Windows 95 Setup on your new hard disk, reinstall all of your programs from original program CD-ROMs or disks, and then restore your data from backup.

If after reviewing this article you choose to proceed, carefully execute each set of steps as written.

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to the replacement of the hard disk. Do not use this article if other hardware changes are being made. Improper use of this article can result in the loss of all data on your hard disk. Microsoft is responsible only for the information pertaining to Microsoft software installation detailed in this article. For correct procedures and safeguards when handling hardware, refer to the documentation included with your hardware, or contact your hardware vendor. Improper handling of hardware can be dangerous and can cause permanent damage to your computer. If you are unsure how to handle hardware, we recommend that you have a factory-qualified hardware technician perform the upgrade.

Notes

• The WARNING designation is placed before procedures in which a mistake in following instructions can cause serious data loss. At these points, verify that you have properly followed the directions.



• The information in this article applies only when Windows 95 is the primary operating system running on a standard MS-DOS partition. Windows 95 Backup cannot read files from non-MS-DOS partitions. A new installation of Windows 95 overwrites the Windows NT boot sector on computers configured to dual boot Windows NT, disabling the ability to start Windows NT.

MORE INFORMATION

Disks and Information Required

• Windows 95 Startup disk.
  
  To create a Startup Disk, follow these steps:
  
  
  1. In Control Panel, click Add/Remove Programs.
  
  
  
  2. On the Startup Disk tab, click Create Disk.
  
  
  



• Proof of ownership of the previous operating system.
  
  You will need disk 1 of the disk set on which one of the previous operating systems was distributed:
  
  
  • Microsoft Windows version 3.x
  
  
  
  • Microsoft Windows NT version 3.x or later
  
  
  
  • OS/2
  
  
  
  If you are reinstalling the full retail version of Windows 95 or Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2), proof of ownership of a previous operating system is not required.



• CD-ROM driver installation disk.
  
  This disk must contain the MS-DOS-level drivers supplied by your hardware manufacturer. This applies only if you have the CD-ROM Upgrade version of Windows 95.



• Complete set of Windows 95 Setup disks (if you are reinstalling Windows 95 from floppy disks).
  
  NOTE: If your computer came with Windows 95 preinstalled and you do not have a vendor-supplied Windows 95 CD-ROM or disks, refer to the literature that came with your computer for instructions on obtaining the software.



• The name of the folder in which Windows 95 is currently installed (typically C:\Windows).

Choosing a Backup Method

• Windows 95 Backup with a compatible tape backup hardware device attached to your computer. See the instructions in the "Method 1" section below.



• Windows 95 Backup using both the original and new hard disks attached to the computer at the same time. See the instructions in the "Method 2" section below.

Method 1: Using Backup with a Tape Drive

   Microsoft Backup is now making a copy of the settings in your system
   registry. This will take a few minutes. 

1. In My Computer, click Options on the View menu.



2. On the View tab, make sure the Show All Files option is enabled.



3. Rename the following files:

   
         File           New name
         ---------------------------
         System.1st     System.1sx
         Suhdlog.dat    Suhdlog.dax
         Setuplog.txt   Setuplog.txx
         Detlog.txt     Detlog.txx
         Bootlog.txt    Bootlog.txx 

   NOTE: These files must be renamed, not copied.

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.



2. Click OK to close preliminary informational dialog boxes.



3. Click the Backup tab.



4. On the File menu, click Open File Set.



5. Click Full System Backup, and then click Open.



6. Click Next Step, select the destination tape drive, and then click Start Backup.
   
   NOTE: If Backup does not automatically detect your tape drive, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   Q130946 Troubleshooting Windows 95 Backup




7. Type a name for the backup set, and then click OK. Record the name for later use.

1. Shut down Windows 95 and turn off your computer.



2. Detach the original hard disk from your computer, then attach the new hard disk in its place.
   
   For hardware setup and configuration information, see the documentation included with your hardware or contact your hardware vendor.



3. When the new hard disk is set up correctly, go to the "Preparing Your New Hard Disk" section below.

Method 2: Using Backup with Your New Hard Disk

   (total space in use on current hard disk) + ((total space in use on
   current hard disk) * 0.66) 

   400 MB + (400 MB * 0.66) = 664 MB 

1. Follow the instructions in the "Preparing Your New Hard Disk Using FDISK and FORMAT" section below.



2. When formatting is finished, follow the Backup instructions in the "Method 1" section above. Modify the instructions in step 6 to back up your files to the new hard disk (usually drive D).



3. When Backup is finished, shut down Windows 95, turn off your computer, and remove the original hard disk from the computer, leaving the new disk in place.



4. Boot with the Windows 95 Startup disk.



5. Run FDISK to set the primary partition on the new disk as the active partition. For information about using FDISK, see the following section.



6. Restart your computer to a command prompt.



7. Proceed to the "Installing Windows 95 on Your New Hard Disk" section below.

Preparing Your New Hard Disk Using FDISK and FORMAT

Q106423 Repartitioning Your Hard Disk to Upgrade to 6.0 or 6.2

1. Insert the Windows 95 Startup disk in drive A and then restart your computer.



2. At the command prompt, type the following line.
   
   WARNING: Verify that the hard disk you are formatting is the new empty hard disk.

   format c: /s




3. Press Y, and then press ENTER.



4. When formatting is finished, type a volume label or leave it blank, and then press ENTER.



5. Remove the disk from drive A and restart your computer to a command prompt.

Installing Windows 95 on Your New Hard Disk

1. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.



2. On the Windows Setup tab, click Disk Tools, and then click Details.



3. Click the Backup check box to select it, and then click OK.

Restoring Files and Folders from Backup

• Restore Backed Up Files To should be set to Original Location



• Overwrite Older Files Only should be selected under Advanced Options

1. Start Backup.



2. Click OK in the initial informational dialog boxes.



3. Click the Restore tab.



4. For method 1, click your tape drive. For method 2, click drive C in the Restore From pane.



5. Click the correct backup set, and then click Next Step.



6. In the Select Files From Backup Set pane, use the appropriate method:

   
       - For method 1, double-click the tape drive icon, then click the
         check box in front of the icon.
   
       - For method 2, double-click the backup set name, then click the
         check box in front of the backup set name. Clear the check box for
         the secondary hard disk (usually drive D) in the Contents pane. 




7. Click the Start Restore button.

   Microsoft Backup is now restoring the settings in your system
   registry. This may take a few minutes. Do not shut down your computer
   until the registry is fully restored, or your computer will not work
   properly. 

Restarting Windows 95 on Your New Hard Disk

1. Insert your Windows 95 Startup disk in drive A and press any key.



2. At the command prompt, type:

   a:\sys c:




3. Remove the disk from drive A and restart your computer.

Deleting the Backup File on the Hard Disk (Method 2 Only)

Additional Information

Additional query words: move moving duplicate

Keywords          : kbenv diskmem win95 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto 

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999