Want to clone VERY OLD & VERY IMPORTANT HDD But scared

Brian_Pamo

Hi all

My brother has a manufacturing company and one of his cutting machines runs on a very old PC. So old I’m sure it has been in place over 20 years. The machine itself is still working but I have told bro that one day this machine will die. So important is this machine that the engineering machine maker does not support this software any more and keeps telling bro that WHEN the 20 year old PC pops it’s clogs then he needs to spend £35,000 (yes that’s right) on a total new machine. To me that is an absolute waste and seeing what this forum is I thought I would ask your opinions. Now, I am more than capable of copying a standard HDD to an SSD (I’ve done it a few times) using Acronis etc but these have been PC’s that we’re running Windows etc. I am sooo nervous about installing any additional software on the pc that runs the machine. In fact... So old is the PC that the software runs in DOS. There is no windows on the HDD. I’ve told bro before that we need a plan in place for when this PC does and understandably he’s very reluctant to go near this old PC let alone some foreign software on it (that probably won’t run anyway). So, opinions please? Is there a device/dock etc that I can use where I don’t have to install anything on the source machine? I know when I normally clone HDD’s I always need to install software on the SOURCE machine but bro is VERY nervous about upsetting a 20+ year old machine. 

Any ideas? 

Willing2Learn

Have you considered using Macrium Reflect?

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Brian_Pamo

I think you have to install this on the source PC which is running on DOS 

debitcardmayhem

64 floppy disks and run Xcopy ?

Willing2Learn

I thought you could put it on a bootable disk (I haven't checked though) 

JJ_Egan

Acronis etc can run from boot disk CD or USB stick .

DOS dont know cannot even remeber anything  /Acronis forum may help .

Willing2Learn

I use Paragon.  But it's also not free...

hollie.weimeraner

If it’s that important get it done professionally. May not be cheap but cheaper than 35k. Oh and make sure they have decent liability insurance 😀

Andy_L

Assuming you're not a co-owner of the company then my idea would be to walk away & not get involved. If knackering the computer costs him £35k then thats far to much of a risk to take for the future of your relationship

Andy_L

JJ_Egan said:

Acronis etc can run from boot disk CD or USB stick .

DOS dont know cannot even remeber anything  /Acronis forum may help .

over 20 year old PC might not have USB

Andy_L

Brian_Pamo said:

Hi all

My brother has a manufacturing company and one of his cutting machines runs on a very old PC. So old I’m sure it has been in place over 20 years. The machine itself is still working but I have told bro that one day this machine will die. So important is this machine that the engineering machine maker does not support this software any more a

The might not support it, but can you get hold of an installable copy?