Windows 7: Expanding a partition backwards

I went in and was copying all the data from my corrupt partition to my external hard drive. I had to copy 285GB. It ended up taking 13 hours. And now I've reformatted my partition and I'm copying it back. Time remaining: about 13 hours. So this will take a while but it's totally worth it. When this whole process is over, I'll let you know!

Seems like a lot of time,,, would not
1. make total full backup
2. format drive,
3. boot to disk
4. restore full backup be way faster.

13 hours is a long time, and if (summer time) you have a power hiccup your screwed.

That's pretty much what I did, except I didn't take a image. I just literally copied the files. Also, the partition was corrupt. I couldn't do anything with it while in Windows. I had to do the copying the first time from the boot disk. I was able to delete it. Then after that I was able to create a new volume.

Here's where I'm at:

Oh I see , you are using Windows - it will work, but it's slow - reliable, though.

If you are wanting to buy the Paragon app. ( assuming you haven't already ), there is a deal this weekend only on Partition Manager 10, just $9.99.

US only - or maybe if you pay in dollars it would work anywhere - not sure:

Paragon Software Sale

The first transfer using the Paragon boot tool took 13 hours as well. And the time is dropping in a not so linear fashion. I only have 7 hours left now. So I think in the end it will have taken about 10 hours this time. I'm limited by the firewire connection on my external HDD.

wow, that does seem long :S I hope it finishes...

I still don't udnerstand why your Windows Partitioner wasen't working... did you try re-deleting the un-allocated partition, then extending? i believe there is also some 'consequitive' peramiter rules, saying the Windows 7 part must be beside each other.

My suggestion... playing with one HD in this manner with continous extensions/shrinks will cuase your HD to fail much faster. I suggest one OS per HD for maximum life, and limit to only <5 partition edits through the LIFE of your drive.

that said, wipe yur drive, THEN change your partitions with the installer, and install clean when you decide to go to a newer build. This will make your entire drive write on consequtively laid out partitions.

hope this helps...

-D

Thanks for all of the help. I'm sure the 10,000 RPM or SSD drives will become affordable before I need to purchase a new HDD. That said, my 1TB drive arrives tomorrow. I'll definitely keep that in mind. On a lighter note, all went well. Everything transfered and all of my shortcuts work again! I'll have a backup partition on my new HDD as well as on my external. Anyways, this isn't happening to me again. But if it does, I'm well prepared. Thanks all of you for your help and input.