im gonna get a new hard drive, but i don't want to start all over with the windows re-install, downloading updates, re-installing programs, etc., etc.

so, is a program like norton ghost the solution to my problem? ie, i make a copy of my hard drive using norton ghost and then i copy it onto my new hard drive? then i simply make my new drive the new primary master?

most new hard drives today ship with all necessary software to clone your existing hard drive making the migration as easy as possible.

if not included you can download the tool (e.g. Seagate's MaxBlast) from the manufacturer's website and create a bootable CDROM.

actually, im getting the hard drive from my friend, and he bought an OEM drive.

so seagate's maxblast is all that's needed? however, norton ghost would do what i want, though, right?

MaxBlast is 'powered by' Acronis (True Image), personally i prefer Symantec Ghost Enterprise Edition (Ghost 8 or 11).

I too would choose Acronis True Image, its simple to use and does a very good job!

You can copy using Maxblast if one of the drives is a Seagate or Maxtor.
Cannot copy to a lesser drive size. BUT can copy to a drive of 'EQUAL' size or larger.
Have copied several times using Maxblast, seems OK.
Tried the 'only' Norton Ghost (a Boot Floppy) I have in DOS, failed to work with Vista, although used many, many times with XP.

"Tried the 'only' Norton Ghost (a Boot Floppy) I have in DOS, failed to work with Vista, although used many, many times with XP."

the problem with a 'DOS floppy' is the controller support or the lack thereof.

since ghost.exe does not work in a windows environment, use ghost32.exe with a Windows PE CD (XP or Vista ... google for a PE builder)