How do you clone a hard drive (boot drive)?

I have used Acronis with success. I have read good things about DriveImageXML recently but havent tried it yet. It has a free version so might be worth checking out.

Acronis just plain works, but it isn't free.

EaseUS Disk Copy asks you a few more questions, but it is free. I use their server product to modify disk partitions without losing data and it's remarkable.

I use windows deployment server. Works great but you need to be pretty tech savy to setup a windows server and the deployment service.

Furinox wrote in post #13699292
I use windows deployment server. Works great but you need to be pretty tech savy to setup a windows server and the deployment service.

WDS to clone a disk is like using a sledge hammer when you really just need a spoon.

ImageX WIM capture/apply would do all the work without the server.

Anyone else just use linux's 'dd' command?

http://www.xxclone.com​/

hollis_f wrote in post #13691052
I use an eSATA docking station to put the destination drive in, then I use Acronis True Image for the cloning.

That will work. Be careful to buy exactly the right thing from Acronis, though. If you buy the wrong thing they will never refund your money. Ever.

The other way I've been able to do get solid backups which can actually be restored takes 3 steps, but results in great comfort.

First, buy VMWare.

Second, get Symantecs backup software.

Third, back up, import to a virtual machine in VMWare.

Store the virtual machine files and the backups on external drives.

The benefit is that you can buy another machine and run your old PC in a virtual machine.

You can also run that machine on a Mac. If you ever want to.

It takes a bit more effort, but you become hardware independent. That helps when the hardware goes under.

hollis_f wrote in post #13691052
I use an eSATA docking station to put the destination drive in, then I use Acronis True Image for the cloning.

Acronis has yet to let me down. All three of our computers are mashed into Acronis image files and safely stowed for a rainy day. It's amazing how fast you can restore and entire system. Sit back and relax.

Dooms_day wrote in post #13709194
Anyone else just use linux's 'dd' command?

Nope, Clonezilla for me... Absolutely the best open source whole disk/ partition cloning/ backup software IMHO..