Freeware Disk Cloning Software
 

I want to clone my hard disk and was wondering if anybody has any experience with freeware disk cloning tools.

I have been playing with clonezilla - but still haven't got it to work.

Just wondering if there were other suggestions.

Thanks!

You on Windows or Mac?

I know Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac, its freeware works quite well. Not as familiar with the Windows options.

Macrium Reflect Free
or
DriveImage XML

agreed on carbon copy cloner and there is also superduper

Clonezilla all the way for me. You'll need enough space on a disk (external USB, I guess) to clone the whole image on, which might be your problem. A disk with 100 GB usage will create you an image of around 50-80 GB, so be aware of this. After all, the "save to disk" option from Clonezilla isn't their main usage, as the tool is coming from school use where they set up whole classrooms of PCs directly from a central server. It works for single clone copies as well, but it's much more powerfull than "just" make a security copy of your disk.

I am on Windows . . .

Thanks for the Clonezilla kudos - I will continue to play with the software.

Cheers

+1 for Clonezilla.

The documentation is good - the step-by-step examples, here, are extremely useful.

G4U (just google for it) is another good option. It's OS independent as a self booting CD, and really does clone the disk as a bit for bit copy. It's a command line UI, but if you just want to clone a disk as a backup it's easy to do.

Bob

I've had great success with Acronis True Image. I think you can download a 15 day free trial.

I think I figured out my problem - I am trying to image a 100 GB hard disk (only 30 GB used) onto an 80 GB drive.

Should I be able to do this with Clonezillia?

To clone disks, you may try these SW.
Disk Copy - sector by sector clone
EASEUS Partition Master Home - file by file clone
Todo Backup - backup partitions/drive & disk clone.
All SW are free, you may choose the proper one to use. :D

just an option if you don't mind rebates...but often there are "free after rebate" versions of norton ghost or acronis true image from frys.com or newegg.com - just have to be on the lookout...but its not too bad to pick them up as long as you do the rebates right

These can be a good deal but almost all of them are upgrades requiring proof previous install of the copy program or a competitors copy program. Best to read any deal details.

MisterNice

8

If either the new or old hard disk is a Seagate or Maxtor brand, you can download their DiskWizard software.

I have used it to clone hard drives many times.

I've not used Clonezilla (but many, many others) and have never seen changing drive size up or down be an issue. If you are changing computers there are multiple issues even when staying with the same mfg.