-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Upgrading to Vista - - Specs on my new computer and a question...

Rose,
    In the "Organization" thread, I will be posting a few thoughts that may 
(or may not) change your mind on the size &/or scope of your internal 
drives.  One of the big things I like to get away from is any sort of 
'hidden' partition.  They're too hard to get to in the event of a system 
crash, so I'm glad to hear that the new system doesn't have one.  Some 
relatively recent articles on restore disks indicate that manufacturer's are 
also moving away from them.

    I have a new network to put together for Babydoll's sister today and 
have no idea what she's going to need until I get there.  As a result, I 
expect to be there for a while and will post my "Organization" questions 
upon my return.         :O)

Peace,
GMan

"The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked!"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tech Rose - LoveBytes" <TechRose@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 3:11 AM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Upgrading to Vista - - Specs on my new computer 
and a question...


> GMan,
>
> The new computer has a 400 GB drive for the C:.  I do not want the 
> physical
> drive with the system on it to be that big.  I put almost nothing on the
> same hard drive as the system.  So, if the hard drive fails, I just need 
> to
> restore using my restore partition (or restore disks) to get a system 
> drive
> back.  Then, of course, come the arduous task of reinstalling the 
> programs,
> but at least my structure for the other physical drives is intact.
> And...hopefully all that is backed up too!
>
> Now, after inquiring about copying a HIDDEN PARTITION to another drive, I
> discover this pc has physical restore disks and no hidden partition.  So, 
> my
> question was premature and irrelevant. I do appreciate your response as it
> reminds me to be sure to include the cd for the second video card I added
> and anything else I might add.
>
> I create a loose leaf book for each computer when I buy it.  I put all the
> documentation in it.  That includes all the cd's and written material and
> any restore disks I created (On my Sony, it has a hidden partition and it
> tells you to create restore DVD's.  I made two sets, just in case one did
> not work)
> I also have my store receipt and warranty in this book.  In that way,
> everything is in one place and easier to find.
>
> I use to put all the soft ware I added to the pc in the book, but now, I
> just put some software cd's in there.  If I buy a download version of
> something, I put it on a CD or DVD and put it in that book.
>
> Other software is on the shelf and the key codes and such are in those 
> boxes
> too.
>
> I personally think that anyone who sells a computer should provide a loose
> leaf with appropriate dividers to any one but to new users especially.
> I buy the pages that hold CD's/DVD's and put them in that book.
>
> I do thank you for the answer and I apologize for 'assuming' the new
> computer had a hidden partition.
> I will copy the C: that is 400 GB to the 160 GB drive and use that for my
> C:\System Drive.
>
> Thanks again,
> Rose
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "GMan" <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:39 PM
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Upgrading to Vista - - Specs on my new 
> computer
> and a question...
>
>
> Rose,
>    One of the suggestions I'll be giving you in the "Organization" thread
> will make this a very simple matter, but that won't help you right now. 
> In
> the meantime, do you have a partitioning utility like Partition Magic
> installed?  If so, most of them will allow you to copy the entire contents
> of one partition onto another, even if they're not the same size (you just
> have to make sure there's enough room on the destination partition for the
> contents to fit).
>
>    In the case of a system drive (i.e. a bootable Windows installation
> volume), the copy will also be bootable if it's moved to another machine 
> (or
> used to replace the original drive).  However, this will not work as a
> method to create a dual boot system (and I know you're not trying to do 
> that
> here).  Keep in mind that if the parts in the new machine are different 
> than
> the parts in the original, the wrong drivers will try to load and probably
> crash the new system.  The way around this is to boot up the new system 
> with
> the newly copied drive in Safe mode, go into Device Manager and uninstall
> all of the wrong drivers (including all of the chipset drivers if they're
> different) and then reboot.  Upon reboot, Windows will recognize the
> installed parts and try to find drivers for them.  Of course, you'll then
> have to be ready to supply any that are not included with the operating
> system (including the proper chipset drivers).
>
> Peace,
> GMan
>
> "The only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked!"
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tech Rose - LoveBytes" <TechRose@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 10:53 PM
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Upgrading to Vista - - Specs on my new 
> computer
> and a question...
>>I cannot for the life of me remember how I did this before.... I want to
>> copy my new computer's Drive 0 (including the hidden partition) to 
>> another
>> drive...the Drive 1.  (The drive 0 is 400 GB and the drive 1 is 160 GB.
>> Since I do not install anything that does not HAVE to be on the Drive 0, 
>> I
>> do not need a 400 GB drive there.  I already have a 160 GB SATA drive
>> sitting here doing nothing.)
>> So, how do I copy the entire C:: to another drive?  In other words..How 
>> do
>> I
>> copy my Drive 0 to my Drive 1?
>> Please someone... tell this forgetful person how I copy the whole 0 drive
>> including the hidden partition.
>> Sir Toth and anyone else interested...Here are the specs of the new
>> computer.
... 

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