Solved Partitions?

[mickey megabyte]

Ignats
Yes I was intending to install and update windows and all drivers, install software etc and do a burn in then before i start importing or creating any data I was going to take an image. Then I would start using the software and start the backup startegy. Im new to this so that was the plan as I want to get it right on this new machine

there are many approaches. here's one:

it takes a bit of time, but do a simple install, then try imaging it and restoring it.

make sure you are happy with the recovery process before you have to use it in panic.

once you've got a good install, with your drivers and updates, image it for long term storage.

install some of your basic most used least updated software, then image again.

 

[xarden]

All good ideas.
Although I recommend instead saving images to a separate disk, rather than to another partition.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ignats
Yes I was intending to install and update windows and all drivers, install software etc and do a burn in then before i start importing or creating any data I was going to take an image. Then I would start using the software and start the backup startegy. Im new to this so that was the plan as I want to get it right on this new machine

Some people make an image within an hour or so of installing Windows---before any apps have been installed. They keep this image permanently. And then make another image periodically---every week or month or two. Keeping maybe the last 2 images.

Others don't make that first image immediately. They instead get all apps installed and make sure the system is well configured and then make their first image.

It's personal preference.

It's probably a good idea to use more than 1 imaging program and rotate between the two. Like Acronis this month and Macrium Reflect Free Edition next month. That way, you aren't locked into a particular program.

The reason for that is because imaging is NOT foolproof. It can and will fail. DON'T COUNT ON IT, especially ESPECIALLY for your data. If your images turn out to be unusable--so what? You just reinstall Windows and restore your personal data from some other backup source that does not rely on imaging.

I don't image my personal data at all and wouldn't shed a tear if my images all failed.

 

[OnTheRopes]

Cool,
I am installing as I type but the screen I ave up is the custom install screen and I have selected New. Here I can type the size of the drive. If I then hit apply am I right to assume I can select another partition size and name it on the next screen?

 

[OnTheRopes]

All good posts so thanks, plenty to consider
So I could partition an external drive and put an image in each partition I guess?

 

[xarden]

Under the drive you just created, there should be some unallocated space?
You should be able to create a new partition size there

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Cool,
I am installing as I type but the screen I ave up is the custom install screen and I have selected New. Here I can type the size of the drive. If I then hit apply am I right to assume I can select another partition size and name it on the next screen?

It's been a while since I have done it and don't recall all the detail.

At some point regarding partitions and where to install, there is a choice for "advanced drive management" or something like that. Take that choice. The word "advanced" is part of the title.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

All good posts so thanks, plenty to consider
So I could partition an external drive and put an image in each partition I guess?

No.

There is no reason at all to put images in separate partitions.

Images are just valuable data. No more, no less.

You probably wouldn't make a partition for your valuable pictures or text files, so why do it for images?

Use a folder structure:

E:\images\

 

[OnTheRopes]

Xarden I dont think so I have the following

A main window with Disk 0 Unallocated Space 931.5Gb

then under that there is a drop down box where I can alter the size of MB
then there is an apply or cancel button, there is nowhere for anymore selections

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You can make a single partition out of the entire 931 and then readjust later if needed via Windows Disk Management. I'd just install Windows to the single 931 if I was confused--and then shrink it in Windows Disk Management.

 

[OnTheRopes]

Cheers, Ive justfound a bit about it froma book.

 

[OnTheRopes]

Oh and thanks so much for the help all of you, much appreciated. Great forum I can see this will become a second home

 

[xarden]

Xarden I dont think so I have the following

A main window with Disk 0 Unallocated Space 931.5Gb

then under that there is a drop down box where I can alter the size of MB
then there is an apply or cancel button, there is nowhere for anymore selections

Yes, that's what I meant. So if you altered the size to be say, 700MB, then that would create a partition 700MB, and leave 231MB as unallocated space for which you can create another partition(s).

You have more idea on how you want to structure your drives, so regard this as info rather than advice

 

[OnTheRopes]

I have just installed Macrium Reflect onto the new system and it identifies the system reserved partition of 100Mb that is automatically created by Windows, i also recognises the 146Gb partition that I created on installation C:, however there is no partition D: for the rest of the drive??

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Go to Disk Management in Windows and take a screen shot of your disk/partition layout.

Post that pic in this thread so we can better see what is going on. It likely isn't a Macrium issue.

 

[OnTheRopes]

I have managed to sort it. I used disc management and created the partitionsI wanted in there, I guess this is the correct way to do it it just wasnt very clear. I eventually found it in 'windows the definitive guide'

Thanks