Re: Partitions, Backup and External HD Storage

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Alex Nichol (alexn.mvpdts_at_ntlworld.delete.com)
Date: 10/28/04 

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 10:55:40 +0100

GJP wrote:

>
>Am I reading you correctly, I can totally backup my existing HD by
>ceating an image file using BootIt NG?
>In other words I would have no use for Acronis or would I still need
>that for any ongoing backup duties?

Yes you can. I have looked at Acronis, and not seen any benefit worth
having from its higher price, other than 'incremental' use, which I
consider inappropriate for this sort of use

>As far as the size of C: is concerned my idea was that it would be best
>to keep it at least what the size of the operating system is plus all
>the other files currently residing on C:, if it would create no harm I
>would gladly make C: smaller as you suggest.

Make sure you move My Documents and similar folders across; do it
between a My Computer window on D and one on C:\Documents and
Settings\you - then right drag My Documents over, taking Move here.

I regard it as important to separate documents/data from
System/Programs. Then if you *have* to restore C you need not worry
about losing data changed since the last image

>But what happens if there is a foulup after the new partitions are
>created, how can the image of C: which would be at least 40 odd GB
>uncompressed be restored if the partition is now only say 20GB...or am I
>missing something?

Shrink first, image the smaller size. You restore not into an existing
partition but into free space made by deleting the old one, and if
necessary making enough space by resizing others. But much easier,
whatever software to use, to be working with the final size 

-- 
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.  Alexn@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)

Relevant Pages

  • Re: ANOUNCEMENT: zsplit, unzsplit: free linux tools to make a full drive image backup!
    ... > Disk images provide a powerful backup-restore solution and are exact ... > have an entire copy of your system that you can restore. ... Finally it compresses the output image file and splits it ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)
  • Re: Duplicating installs across the network
    ... "Linux/UNIX utility to save partitions in a compressed image file ... etc.), you just have to restore, and after several minutes, your ...
    (Debian-User)
  • Re: Server 2003 - Best Software To Make Drive Image?
    ... a tool that lets him create a carbon copy of an installation - ... Build a CD with Bart PE or such to restore ... ... I looked at Norton Ghost and it does not support Server 2003. ... We want to make an image file that will store on DVD DL ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.general)
  • Re: Windows XP Backup and CD Key?
    ... Some get a rude awakening when they try to restore ... >> hard drives to see if the imaged one works? ... Put an image file on an external USB har disk. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)