[vipejc]

submix8c, on 26 December 2012 - 05:30 PM, said:

Do it at your own risk. I HIGHLY recommend a GOOD Defrag tool that will "move" ALL folders/files to the FRONT of the Partition FIRST. Also if you DON'T understand the implications of what Gparted really-REALLY does you COULD hose the whole deal. (alignments, cluster sizes, etc etc etc).

Defragger Reviews -
http://donnedwards.o...ootout-all.html
Note: Better go to the Websites to get the latest version.
MAYBE JKDefrag will do it. - http://www.kessels.com/JkDefrag/

Quote

Force together
Intended for partition resizing. All movable files are moved to the beginning of the disk, even if it means fragmenting them to fill gaps that cannot be filled otherwise.

Notice the bold part? There are some that will NOT move (system-type files). You'll STILL need to be sure that you have enough "room" for the Primary's needs AND be sure that ther's sufficient for a Backup. You suggested a "40gig" as "backup" - does this IMPLY that this is the USED SPACE on your Primary Partition? You have a tendency to NEVER provide sufficient details and expect a clear-cut answer. Maybe if we tortured you?

I PERSONALLY would try the "alternate" method against the NEW HDD first to see how it works out, for safety sake. I suppose you would want the "tools" list that you will need to add to the BartPE? I personally don't USE BartPE, but use INSTEAD LiveXP (WinBuilder) - all the tools needed would be there - just ADD the other files (Roboxxx) you need to the Build. Unhook Old HDD, Hook New HDD and TRY it. (Side note - jaclaz also contributed a couple of excellent tools to the WinBuilder.)

YES, I have used GParted to resize and was TERRIFIED when I did it (defragged FIRST). Strangely (not really), sometimes Resize of Partitions "assumes" certain Cluster Sizes (you DID know that right?).

YOU choose the route. WE choose our OWN methods. "To each their own that works for them" (I am NOT clairvoyant and can't GUARANTEE that anything YOU do will work).

I will always provide any details asked for or I think are necessary to solve the problem. The used space on my hard disk is about 13 GB. The 40 GB is just a good amount for all the space I think I'd ever need.

[vipejc]

bphlpt, on 26 December 2012 - 07:37 PM, said:

If I understand what you last said:

vipejc, on 26 December 2012 - 02:01 PM, said:

[...] would it be better to use GParted, shrink my existing partition to 40 GB, and create another Macrium image that can be restored to a larger or smaller partition no problem? [...]

you are coming around to what I first suggested:

bphlpt, on 21 December 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

A safer, more flexible way might be to shrink your partition to the minimum size that will hold the data in it before making your Macrium image. That way you can more easily restore it to any partition that will hold the data.

I really think this is indeed your best, safest, most flexible and reliable option. I also agree that it will be best to do a good, thorough, defrag and system cleanup beforehand, including moving things off the system disk that are better kept on a separate data disk, deleting temporary files that are no longer needed, etc. There are many free partitioning programs out there, including GParted. I'd be glad to tell you which one I've used in the past when I have had to shrink a system partition, but I no longer remember. It can be done successfully with no data loss. Once shrunk, Macrium Reflect should be able to do a good job for you. I have used it successfully in the past myself. One thing to be aware of, if you are not already, is that when Macrium Reflect clones a partition/disk, it really duplicates it. In other words, you can't have both the original and the restored clone both in your system at the same time, because they both will have the same "Volume ID"(??) and Windows will not be able to tell the difference between them. Sorry I'm not sure about the exact terminology, my memory is not what it used to be, but I had this problem a few years back when I tried to reuse the original disk, for other purposes, in the same system I had installed the clone. I found a utility that was able to reset the "Volume ID"(??) so all ended up good in the end.

Cheers and Regards

The volume ID will never be an issue because I always have 1 hard disk installed in the system. The only time a hard disk gets replaced with a new one is when it starts making an odd noise. I really need to study this subject, but feel, like you, this would be the best option.

[jaclaz]

vipejc, on 26 December 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

The volume ID will never be an issue because I always have 1 hard disk installed in the system. The only time a hard disk gets replaced with a new one is when it starts making an odd noise. I really need to study this subject, but feel, like you, this would be the best option.

Carpenter's comparison :
The car engine model or serial would not be a problem as I always have 1 hammer in the toolbox . The only time when an engine gets replaced with a new one is when it starts making an odd noise. I really need to study this subject, but feel - having not yet studied/understood ANYTHING about engine replacement or mechanics in general and what is involved in them, that I can hammer the new one into place allright.

Really, you should READ the given thread:
http://www.msfn.org/...inside-windows/
and if you have doubts on what is written there, ask about those doubts (as opposed to insist in making guesses - BTW wild ones - assuming - BTW wrongly - or downright do things that you may later regret).
More or less the idea of coming to a forum and ask a question, is to get answers to the question and learn (by listening to advice and doing your own experiments, as you should not trust anyone, EVER) how to do things from people that should know more than you do on the specific matter.
Please consider how this does not in any way limit your freedom to do or not do anything (right or wrong) that crosses your mind, but you could show at least a very minimal form of respect for the time people spends in trying to explain to you the matter by actually reading and try to understand the suggestions given to you.



jaclaz

This post has been edited by jaclaz: 27 December 2012 - 03:17 AM

[vipejc]

jaclaz, on 27 December 2012 - 03:14 AM, said:

vipejc, on 26 December 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:

The volume ID will never be an issue because I always have 1 hard disk installed in the system. The only time a hard disk gets replaced with a new one is when it starts making an odd noise. I really need to study this subject, but feel, like you, this would be the best option.

Carpenter's comparison :
The car engine model or serial would not be a problem as I always have 1 hammer in the toolbox . The only time when an engine gets replaced with a new one is when it starts making an odd noise. I really need to study this subject, but feel - having not yet studied/understood ANYTHING about engine replacement or mechanics in general and what is involved in them, that I can hammer the new one into place allright.

Really, you should READ the given thread:
http://www.msfn.org/...inside-windows/
and if you have doubts on what is written there, ask about those doubts (as opposed to insist in making guesses - BTW wild ones - assuming - BTW wrongly - or downright do things that you may later regret).
More or less the idea of coming to a forum and ask a question, is to get answers to the question and learn (by listening to advice and doing your own experiments, as you should not trust anyone, EVER) how to do things from people that should know more than you do on the specific matter.
Please consider how this does not in any way limit your freedom to do or not do anything (right or wrong) that crosses your mind, but you could show at least a very minimal form of respect for the time people spends in trying to explain to you the matter by actually reading and try to understand the suggestions given to you.



jaclaz

Jaclaz, I do read everything you and others suggest. That's how I realized the best thing to do is use GParted and shrink my C: partition to, say, 160 GB. This way I can restore my Macrium image to a 250 GB hard disk or 160 GB hard disk with no issues.

[bphlpt]

vipejc, on 26 December 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:

[...] The used space on my hard disk is about 13 GB. The 40 GB is just a good amount for all the space I think I'd ever need.

Since your used space is only 13 GB, I would try to shrink the partition down to 20 GB to make your Macrium image from, but that's just me. You can always expand it back to 40 GB or even 160 GB after your image is made.

Cheers and Regards

[vipejc]

bphlpt, on 28 December 2012 - 01:19 AM, said:

vipejc, on 26 December 2012 - 07:44 PM, said:

[...] The used space on my hard disk is about 13 GB. The 40 GB is just a good amount for all the space I think I'd ever need.

Since your used space is only 13 GB, I would try to shrink the partition down to 20 GB to make your Macrium image from, but that's just me. You can always expand it back to 40 GB or even 160 GB after your image is made.

Cheers and Regards

You're right. I could also do that. All good ideas. So here's how I'm going to fix all my problems:
1. Place two jumpers on pins 5 and 6, and 9 and 10 of the FRONT_AUDIO header to restore speaker sound.
2. Reconfigure my IDE cables until Windows detects both the hard disk and DVD burner.
3. Use GParted, shrink my existing XP partition to 160 GB, create a new Macrium Reflect image, and then restore it as needed.

[cdob]

vipejc, on 28 December 2012 - 02:20 PM, said:

shrink my existing XP partition to 160 GB

I would keep source partition. Replace hard disks first.
If replaced hard disks works fine, I would keep source hard disk for another year still. Maybe write to the source hard disk after one year.

A partition clone is not possible at different size.

Create a image file to transfer files: ImageX.exe works at BartPE.
Be aware: it's not supported http://www.msfn.org/...system-backups/
Well, neither does OS manufacturer support BartPE. Choose yourself.