Top program, Dan! Thanks.

Here's the info:
Drive
Drive #1 - ST380011A (74 GB)
Partition Partition Type Drive Start Offset Partition Length
#1 (Active) FAT32/NTFS C: 0 MB 37134 MB
#2 FAT32 D: 37134 MB 18535 MB
#3 Compaq Diag 55670 MB 20646 MB

Seagate Hard Disk.
Compaq Diag <== would appear to be recovery info.

For cloning, I would use the "Data Lifeguard v11.2 for drives > 137GB (April 2006)".

Also note; "If you plan on copying the contents of a boot drive, Western Digital recommends using the DOS version of Data Lifeguard Tools." (This is so Windows won't be running, as it's a sector to sector copy. You want the sectors to be STATIC, not changing all the time (with Windows running) while trying to copy them.)

http://support.wdc.com/download/downloadxml.asp

NOTE: This method leaves your "current" first disk intact, just in case. If the copy fails on the new disk for some reason, you can always start over with your original hard disk untouched. Once you copy, remove the first and test the second, you can then stomp on the 80GB and do what you want with it.

I would download both the DOS and the Windows versions, plus the Seagate DiscWizard to have for later, just to have it onhand. But, that's me. ;>)

Hard Disk Analysis Tools - Major manufacturers

Thanks, Dan. I've downloaded all three of your recommendations, I expect I'll do some careful study before I try anything.

Another question: cloning will transfer all data, programs, EVERYthing from the old drive to the new? How? Where is the data stored during the transfer? I don't have an external enclosure, I'm visualising the old disk being removed and the new one inserted... I'm sure I'm missing something in this picture.

Can't you mount the WD into your enclosure as (2nd IDE) Master (or Slave)?

The data is a direct sector by sector transfer from the original disk to the WD disk.

I haven't explored much in that part. I'll have to check.

Guess what - the Acer 3600GT has only one drive enclosure.

Just to add some cloning experience:

You want to clone from Primary Master to Secondary Master for best results.

Do not clone on the same IDE channel.

So here you can hook the new drive up to where your DVD/CD drive is (or should be).

Also it is not necessary to actually mount the drive as long as you have a stable place for it during the clone with the case open and do not touch the bottom of the drive.

Are you saying I can plug the new hard drive in using the DVD/CD unit connectors jeph?

Yes. It is the same IDE connector type.

Your DVD/CD drive should be Secondary Master (in most cases).

So your old drive will be (is) Primary Master and the target drive will be Secondary Master.

Just set the drive outside the case.