How to partition my external HDD?

gregrocker said:

The problem is when you plug it into explorer via USB it may only see the first partition.

You need some kind of manager to choose partition to access.

So what are the suggestions to get around that?

Just make it one large partition & make 2 folders? One for Media backup & one for OS backup iso's?

gregrocker said:

I found out about the USB drive partitioning flaw when I made a 16gb USB flash into a Win7 installer by formatting it primary and copying install files into the root. I wanted other tools/apps on a separate partition but ran into that wall: explorer only sees one partition.

What I ended up doing is putting all the other apps on there, storing Win7 install files in a folder until I need to boot the stick when just spill them out into the root. Works perfectly.

Here is what we do for backups on seven computers here at home:

- use Windows 7 Backup Imaging on all but the XP which uses Acronis.

- format a primary partition of the size the imaging app says it wants, it autodetects it as a drive and stores it there, then copy it to an external drive folder named for that machine in case of HD failure.

Later if need to reimage place the image into the root of the external and the booted installer or repair CD autodetects it there. Or use the one it autodetects on it's own HD or a secondary drive.

You can also send, store and reimage them over the network once you get the hang of it.

Hmm. You lost me a little bit.

But what I did was just make it 1 large parition again & make a folder for my media & a folder for my OS backup.

I'm re-backing up with 2nd copy now to the new file destination.

So what are you suggestions with the Acronis backup so that it autostarts in the future if I ever need it to? I guess I'm just confused?

reghakr said:

take a look at this thread:

https://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-...tml#post418047

I dont have access to this any longer?

I was going to try this out instead of Acronis...

JohnnyScience said:

gregrocker said:

I found out about the USB drive partitioning flaw when I made a 16gb USB flash into a Win7 installer by formatting it primary and copying install files into the root. I wanted other tools/apps on a separate partition but ran into that wall: explorer only sees one partition.

What I ended up doing is putting all the other apps on there, storing Win7 install files in a folder until I need to boot the stick when just spill them out into the root. Works perfectly.

Here is what we do for backups on seven computers here at home:

- use Windows 7 Backup Imaging on all but the XP which uses Acronis.

- format a primary partition of the size the imaging app says it wants, it autodetects it as a drive and stores it there, then copy it to an external drive folder named for that machine in case of HD failure.

Later if need to reimage place the image into the root of the external and the booted installer or repair CD autodetects it there. Or use the one it autodetects on it's own HD or a secondary drive.

You can also send, store and reimage them over the network once you get the hang of it.

Hmm. You lost me a little bit.

But what I did was just make it 1 large parition again & make a folder for my media & a folder for my OS backup.

I'm re-backing up with 2nd copy now to the new file destination.

So what are you suggestions with the Acronis backup so that it autostarts in the future if I ever need it to? I guess I'm just confused?

You'll need to boot from the Acronis disk if you need to do reimaging.

gregrocker said:

JohnnyScience said:

gregrocker said:

I found out about the USB drive partitioning flaw when I made a 16gb USB flash into a Win7 installer by formatting it primary and copying install files into the root. I wanted other tools/apps on a separate partition but ran into that wall: explorer only sees one partition.

What I ended up doing is putting all the other apps on there, storing Win7 install files in a folder until I need to boot the stick when just spill them out into the root. Works perfectly.

Here is what we do for backups on seven computers here at home:

- use Windows 7 Backup Imaging on all but the XP which uses Acronis.

- format a primary partition of the size the imaging app says it wants, it autodetects it as a drive and stores it there, then copy it to an external drive folder named for that machine in case of HD failure.

Later if need to reimage place the image into the root of the external and the booted installer or repair CD autodetects it there. Or use the one it autodetects on it's own HD or a secondary drive.

You can also send, store and reimage them over the network once you get the hang of it.

Hmm. You lost me a little bit.

But what I did was just make it 1 large parition again & make a folder for my media & a folder for my OS backup.

I'm re-backing up with 2nd copy now to the new file destination.

So what are you suggestions with the Acronis backup so that it autostarts in the future if I ever need it to? I guess I'm just confused?

You'll need to boot from the Acronis disk if you need to do reimaging.

I planned on downloading the program & making an iso on my external HDD. So when would I need an Acronis disk?

Also there seem to be a bunch of different Acronis, which one would be best for me? Are there any free versions?

You would need to boot from the Acronis rescue disk if you can't boot into Windows--which certainly is a possibility.

ignatzatsonic said:

You would need to boot from the Acronis rescue disk if you can't boot into Windows--which certainly is a possibility.

So I need to make an Acronis backup disk and then that would be able to access the .iso I've made of my OS for a full restore?

Which version of acronis is the one for me? Is there any free version?

What happened to the link from here:

take a look at this thread:

https://www.sevenforums.com/general-d...tml#post418047

Is this the same kind of .iso backup program like Acronis? This one was free though wasnt it?

I think the newest version is True Image 2010? Normally around $30.

But if you will be restoring to a Western Digital or Seagate hard drive, you can get free versions at the websites of those 2 companies. Note: restoring to. It doesn't matter what brand drive you are imaging.

You should make a rescue disk after you install the program. You would have to use it only if Windows is unavailable.

Was that missing thread about Macrium? If so, get it at the link I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread.