Question

clone to a smaller disk?

Asked by: dhaden

Is there a utility or other application that will let me clone a system drive to a smaller drive (assuming the data to be cloned will fit on the smaller drive)?

I need to clone a 500 GB system drive (with less than 20GB data on it) to a 74GB 10,000rpm drive. I am using XP Pro with dynamic disks.

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Asked On
2009-10-03 at 17:38:31ID24783075
Tags

Windows XP

,

clone

,

smaller disk

Topics

DriveCopy

,

Disk Partition Tools

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
5
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: sn131678Posted on 2009-10-03 at 17:47:54ID: 25487702

Sure, theres lots of free utilities on Google that will show you free "Drive Cloning", but I have used Shadow Copy before; it works well.. http://www.runtime.org/shadow-copy.htm is the site for it. You have to have both drives connected to the computer to use ShadowCopy.

Otherwise Norton Ghost works well also, there are many other freeware utilities and I am familiar with most of them, let me know if you need further assistance.

You can copy any drive to any drive as long as the data will fit - and if it doesnt, the source drive will not work. But in your case should be fine - Joe

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-10-03 at 18:33:34ID: 25487795

One important thing you mentioned is - I am using XP with DYNAMIC drives. Normally dynamic drives are not cloned and they first request the drive to be converted to basic style.
You can backup the drive as dynamic and restore it to basic drive of smaller capacity.
This tool will do that: Paragon Drive Backup 9.0 Pro www.drive-backup.com
Note, restore to smaller drive is done on file by file level in all utilities and this requires much time. In your case it could be 3-4 hours to restore from image.
If you convert the drive into Basic with Drive Backup and then shrink the partition to the size of your small drive and only then perform clone - then it should be quicker and less painful.
Parted Magic will let you shrink the drive after conversion.

 

by: texrmm91Posted on 2009-10-03 at 21:08:14ID: 25488094

The easiest and fastest way to do this would be to use acronis.  it is a drive to drive transfer and you tell it source, compression/if any, and what to do with the data.  when downloaded u want to do clone drive and tell it manual.

 

by: harryhelpPosted on 2009-10-03 at 22:25:04ID: 25488237

Would definitely suggest Norton Ghost.

 

by: nobusPosted on 2009-10-04 at 03:08:19ID: 25488710

Acronis true image supports dynamic disks :  http://www.acronis.com.sg/pr/2003/pr11-20.html

 

by: nobusPosted on 2009-10-04 at 03:08:59ID: 25488711

and it also adapts the image to smaller disks automatically !

 

by: dhadenPosted on 2009-10-04 at 07:18:51ID: 31636818

Thank you.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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