New
#130
You're most welcome. :)
Partition or Volume - Shrink
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New #131
Hi Brink,
Tried to re-partition my wife's laptop this morning, firstly using PW then Windows disk manager but couldn't seem to do it without changing the disk to "dynamic" so in the end I left it alone. Just read through the whole of this thread and you answered my query in Post 57 regarding max 4 primary partitions. Her laptop is a Samsung and has a windows partition C, a recovery partition D and 2 other much smaller system partitions - hence max reached.
I read your advice about removing the Recovery partition allowing me to create a new one which I may do but first I have a couple of questions:
1. What is a Dynamic disk and why so many warnings about not selecting this option?
2. Rather than creating a set of recovery DVDs, can I just copy the files from D onto a backup external HDD - it's just that I don't have full confidence in back up media having had problems in the past. If so, can I just drag and drop or do I need to create an image - what are all my options?
Regards
TWD
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New #132
Hello TWD,
If the Windows 7 HDD is converted to be a dynamic disk, then it will no longer be able to boot to it. Plus, it may also mess up your Recovery partition leaving you with no way to reinstall Windows 7 other than having to purchase a new "retail" copy, or order a replacement set of OEM recovery discs from the computer's manufacturer.
Drag and drop to only manually backup individual files (ex: documents, pictures, music, etc...) to another location would be fine, but not for the HDD itself.
You would always want to create a set of factory recovery discs as a backup of your recovery parition. This way if something should happen to your HDD (ex: fails), you would be able to restore Windows 7 to a new replacement HDD with the set of factory recovery discs.
As an additional backup plan to be extra safe, creating a system image to an external HDD would be good for the same to be able to do a system image recovery.
Hope this helps,
Shawn
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New #133
Thanks Shawn,
I already create a system image at least monthly for all my computers to an external drive as I have lost EVERYTHING more than once in the past. I also keep the last 3-4 images before overwritiing them. Would this be enough to ensure my restoration capability in the event of a disaster or should I keep the original restoration files as well? Seems a bit pointless especially if they become several months (or years) old because of the numerous windows updates that have taken place in the mean time. If you think a system image and a data back up is sufficient I may well ditch the restore partition.
Regardss
TWD
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New #134
I would recommend to also create a set of factory recovery discs from your recovery partition to have them stored away in case you may need them if the system images fail for some reason (ex: drive failure).
It's better to have them than not have them when you wished you did later.
Afterwards, you can delete the recovery partition if you like, and extend another partition into it. Be sure to create a new system image without the recovery partition though.
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New #135
Yep, that makes sense Shawn. Need to check out how to do it, I'm sure there will be something in the help files.
Cheers,
TWD
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New #136
TWD,
What brand is your computer, and is it a laptop or desktop?
I can look up the instructions for it. :)
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New #137
Hi Brink,
It's a Samsung laptop model R730 (PDC T4300) 17.3"
TWD
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New #138
TWD,
Page 5 in the manual for your laptop below is not real clear on this, but it looks like you may be able to either tap F4 at boot while restarting the computer or look for a Samsung Recovery Solution shortcut in the Start Menu to see if there may be an option to be able to create a set of factory recovery discs.
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New #139
OK, Done the deed. Made a s/w restore dvd, copied all the files to an external file, did a windows back up including image, shrunk the C drive, extended the D drive and quick formatted it, then copied all our musc files to it. One way to spend your Saturday LOL
Thanks for advice Shawn
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