Sol,

> is it ok to use a different sized hard disk with the recovery software? <

Probably, but I can't say for sure because I don't know what recovery program you have. Since you got the computer from SoundChaser you should ask them!

> Can I simply use ghost or something to clone the drive and then put the image to a larger disk even though the disks capacities are different? <

Yes, but I suggest you partition the new drive. Not so the old data will "fit" properly, but because it's a better way to organize your OS and data files. My recent three-part series in Keyboard magazine explains all of these issues in excruciating detail, and it's now all on my web site:

http://www.ethanwiner.com/articles.html

--Ethan

Thanks for the link to the article Ethan. I'll definitely check it out.

By the way, is there stilla way to get a hold of Soundchaser that you know of? They closed up shop several months ago. I didn't even consider calling them 'cause I thought they weren't around anymore. If you have information otherwise, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again.

Sol,

> They closed up shop several months ago. <

Sorry, I didn't realize that when I suggested you ask them! I never paid much attention to companies that sell systems because I always set up PCs myself.

Again, I can't see why any recovery program would enforce a restriction to restore only to the same size drive. Can you tell me anything about the restore program? Or is it a Ghost image?

If it's a Ghost image of a partition, you can definitely restore that to a partition of any size on a drive of any size, as long as the destination partition is large enough. But if it's an image of a total drive, copying that to another drive may reduce the new drive to the older, smaller size, and will likely destroy any other partitions on the new drive in the process.

Of course, if you start with a new 40 GB drive that has no existing data anyway, then you'll do no harm experimenting.

--Ethan