1. Format the the new drive with the wanted file system. 2. Restart the computer and boot a live Linux from DVD, USB or what ever media you prefer. 3. Mount the old partition, mount the new partition. 4. Open a terminal. 5. Become root by running $ sudo -i 5. Copy the root directory by running # cp -ai /mnt/old/* /mnt/new/ Usage of the * is only ok, if the root directory /mnt/old/ doesn't contain hidden directories or files. 5. Verify the copy by running # diff -r --no-dereference /mnt/old/ /mnt/new/ 6. Install the bootloader and/or update the bootloaders configuration. How to do this depends on your setup and the used bootloader. I for example use syslinux for a Linux multi-boot machine, but without chainloading. IOW what bootloader are you using? Does this particular root partition contain the bootloader config or does e.g. another Linux install provide the bootloader config? Etc. pp.? Regards, Ralf