When I used the WD Acronis software, I simply cloned from one drive to another. As the old drive had over 300 GB of data on it, it didn't make sense to try to do this using other media.

I assume the WD version of Acronis is different from the paid for version, but I don't know for sure. This is the link I sent to Terri and is has the same instructions on it as I used a couple of years ago.

Acronis True Image WD Edition

I also had no idea if she needed the 14 or the 16 version or what the difference was as they don't specify here.

I have to add that if all this is so much Greek to you, Terri, you really, really, really need to wait for someone to help you or take it in to a shop and just have them do it for you. Dealing with this stuff is nerve-wracking even if you pretty much know what you're doing!!

Did you boot from an Acronis CD to do the cloning?
Or were you able to clone while booted to the drive that was being cloned?
Or were you booted from Windows and running Acronis on a third drive, while the one being cloned and the one being cloned to were different drives?

The directions at http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3682/~/how-to-manually-clone-a-disk-with-acronis-true-image-wd-edition-software
don't mention that important point.
They start with you already booted to whatever drive you booted from.
The instructions actually show several hard discs in the sample computer, which is certainly not the case with Terri's computer.

The instructions also show very little difference between using version 14 and version 16 other than minor differences in appearance.

Keep in mind, you're asking me to remember something!

But, yes, I ran the WD Acronis True Image software from the old 500 GB HDD while booted into Windows 8. I had one other 500 GB HDD mounted in the case and the new 1 TB WD Velociraptor HDD. I chose the Velociraptor drive as my destination drive and ran the software. I then shut the computer down from the old WD drive, booted into my motherboard BIOS and changed the boot order to my new Velociraptor drive. I spent a couple of days using it to be sure everything was OK and then from the new drive, wiped the old drive and used it in a build I did for someone.

I think all of these companies assume some level of knowledge and do not explain things in the depth that they should. They should have someone who doesn't have a clue what they are doing sit there and ask questions like the ones you did. Then maybe the instructions would be completely clear. These for the WD Acronis True Image are better than most, but still infer a lot.

I'm trying to get the answer to this

Assuming she installed the WD software from
http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119
and not something else, she does not need to uninstall anything. Correct?

I don't see any reason why she would need to uninstall anything as long as it was downloaded from that link.

I don't either.
What Terri needs to do now is install the new hard drive in the computer -- or have someone help her do it.

I see there are more posts, I'll have to go back and read them.
I was trying to do something for myself and wanted to learn how to do the cloning. I thought I could do the basics and my daughter could finish it up but apparently not. If you have any helpful information by all means please post them or email me.

Right now I'm a little more concerned with my husband. He has gone into Houston to evict a tenant that the courts already gave a 7 days notice to leave the premises and they've not done so. He is packing and these people are not very lawful (we've recently found out by a neighbor) the store down the street was robbed and the men have been seen at our rental property. We were also told that the day we went to court the law was at the house cursing at these people. I have no idea what is going on but it is very nerve wracking. No, he should not have gone, he should have gone back to the courthouse and gotten a writ of possession. So, enough said, I'm going to try to stay busy and not think about any of this.
Thank you all for your help.
Terri

Oh, Terry... you must be so worried. I'm glad he's packing, but who knows what can happen in circumstances like this.

To the best of my knowledge it can be done either way.

All is well. Husband home, renter suddenly forgot how to speak English, refuses to move because they have no place to go.
Hubby filed "writ of possession" and I hope they can remove the people very soon. What a mess.

Now to the problem of cloning. I have read the posts and honestly have to say I know basically no technical computer language, and my daughter will have to look at this. Hopefully she can do this tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Terri

PS. At this age I don't think I'm going to learn anything technical about the pc.

I am needing to know about the sata cables. It appears that the pc has another one in it (small narrow, power supply cable) Now, do I need to purchase a sata cable to hook to the motherboard? (sata, smaller)

SO glad to hear hubby is home safe and sound. Hope you don't run into what Sorta Blonde is dealing with in her neighborhood.

Terri, I am older than you and I learn new things every single time I work on a computer. Just had an issue crop up on a laptop I'd never seen before last week. My greatest wealth of knowledge has been Jenny and Inland right here. Since I can't remember anything, I have a LOT of bookmarks from them!

I assume you're talking about connecting your new hard drive to the motherboard. If it didn't come with any cables, then, yes, you will need a SATA cable to connect it to the motherboard This is also assuming your power supply has a spare SATA power connection available.

You have two things to connect - a SATA cable attached to the motherboard for "data" or to be able to see the new drive. Then you will also need a SATA "power" cable which should be attached to your power supply. So you will plug two cables in - one from an available SATA connection on the motherboard and one from an available SATA connection coming from the power supply.

Make any sense?

I'd be real surprised if you didn't have a power cable/connector available. On the outside chance you don't, the easiest fix is to use a Y-Splitter - you can safely connect 2 hard drives to 1 power cable.

They look like this - 4x SATA Power Splitter Adapter Cable

Look closely at the cable from your PSU, I'll bet it already has 2 connectors.

More likely she has power cables but no extra data cable -- at least no extra data cable inside the computer.
Here's a picture showing where they connect on the hard drive.
http://m.kitchentablecomputers.com/Images/components/sata_drive.gif

One would assume any decent power supply would have a spare SATA power connection.. I hope this one does.

I would hope so too - but, you never know these days.

The data cable is the one that connects to the motherboard, not the power supply.

Exactly - that's why I was hoping to make it clear there are two cables to connect - one for power from the power supply and one for data to the motherboard.

The data cable is the one she might have to buy.
They usually include a data cable with a purchased motherboard, but they don't ususally include extra data cables with a brand name computer or send them along with a hard drive.

Yes there is a spare power connection and we went to Best Buy for the Sata power connection. That is such a tight area where the cables go and it appears the Sata power connector is not quite pushed down enough. So, the computer did not find the 2nd HD so the Acronis software would not work. Does it matter which of the 4 power connectors is used?
Today we are going to open the pc up again and check that connection.

Drac, got ya on this one, I am older by perhaps 2 years, can't remember. (69 this month)
I do understand that you are still learning and that's great. I on the other hand have a short term memory problem that my doctor wants to ignore. I can look something up on one tab and by the time I get to the other tab to type the info, I've already forgotten the word or the spelling, it's most upsetting. As I've aged I have also gotten very unorganized and I too keep notes, emails and bookmarks but I play hell finding them.
Thanks Boomers!

No. The computer should automatically detect whichever one is connected.
Just keep track of which drive is the one you want to clone and which is the one being cloned to.

You talk about the SATA power connection, but you don't mention the SATA data cable... So, do you have two cables going from the new drive - one to an available power connection and one to an available SATA port on the motherboard?

Nope you've only got me by 1 year! I have the same problems you describe...

We do have both cables hooked up. One of the ends of the Sata data cable is angled, one is straight. I'm guessing the angled one goes on the motherboard.

Drac. I think one of the big differences between us is that I tend to take the road of least resistance and you don't!

The angled one usually goes on the drive, but I'm not sure if it matters.

Ok, my concern was the tighness/no space when both cables are in place and the fact that it doesn't look like the cable that goes to the motherboard is pushed completely down.
Also is there any need to go into the Bios? D. was reading something and it mentioned the Bios.