How to make slave disk with second copy of Windows main and bootable?

Is there a legal way to make a copy of windows, that is already installed, for use on a new hard drive?

• I'll try to explain. I have windows xp pro sp2. I bought a new hard drive, and can't find the start up disk, the one that has windows on it. I have my product key, I just need the disk. I want to install the same copy of windows, that came with my PC, to the same PC just different hard drive. There is nothing illegal, just wish I had the windows disk. Is there a free program out there, or can I just somehow copy windows to a disk. Thanks.

• Answer:

  Under certain circumstances Microsoft will allow disk duplication of Windows XP installations. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314828 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/162001/ The big problem for most people is Windows Genuine Advantage and Windows Program Activation.... the programs that verify if the installed operating system is "legal". Whenever you start your computer, an internal scan checks ten categories of hardware: # Display Adapter # SCSI Adapter # IDE Adapter (effectively the motherboard) # Network Adapter (NIC) and its MAC Address # RAM Amount Range (i.e., 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc.) # Processor Type # Processor Serial Number # Hard Drive Device # Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN) # CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM Some changes could invalidate the XP and require a reactivation through Microsoft. http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ProgramInfo.aspx?displaylang=en&tab=Overview You might want to contact Microsoft Customer Support, explain what you're trying to do and then ask them for a new product activation code. http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=mscom The two best known (IMO) programs for cloning a hard drive ar Norton ghost and Acronis True Image. http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/ wwbgd