Target disk smaller than source disk

A partition and disk imaging/cloning program

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Target disk smaller than source disk

Forum: Clonezilla live

Creator: GruzloR

Created: 2009-09-24

Updated: 2013-04-05

GruzloR - 2009-09-24

Hi everybody,

I'm currently trying to install an image of Vista64 (original disk was 488397168 sectors) on an another and smaller disk (320173056 sectors). (image to partition mode)

At the beginning, Clonezilla only said that the image was corrupted but in verbose mode it seems that the different sizes are the problem. I tried to edit `sda-pt.parted` and `sda-pt.sf` but hopeless.

Is there any solution ? Shoukd I have to find a HDD with the same size ???

Thanks in advance. Bye.

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nai7 - 2009-09-24

gruzlor, I'm sorry to say that it is not possible to move an image to a smaller partition or disk using clonezilla.

If you are able to make the original partition smaller using other tools then re-image, that could work. Either way, you will have to use a target partition or disk that is the same size or larger than the source.

Note: Backups are always a good idea *prior* to editing partitions or disks.

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Shih Yong - 2009-09-25

Hi Adavidson,
Is my understanding below correct?

HDD A size 100GB; created with Partition 30GB and the rest unpartitioned.
HDD B size 50GB.

Disk to Image created from HDD A will be able to clone to HDD B.

Thanks.

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GruzloR - 2009-09-25

Ouch… Thank you Adavidson. 'got to find a new hdd…

The question of shihyong is pertinent. Any answer ?

++

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Dan Swartzendruber - 2009-09-25

note: if you can actually fit the data on a smaller disk, you do NOT need to buy a bigger one. try resizing the partition with gparted - that has worked for me…

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nai7 - 2009-09-25

shihyong, that is correct, however you will need to make a *partition* image, not a disk image.

dswartz, correct.

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Shih Yong - 2009-09-25

Adavidson

Thanks for your confirmation.
I just did a testing on the resizing method with gparted. it works.
It works for both disk image/partition image.

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GruzloR - 2009-09-27

Well, the original partition was 250GB, and the current HDD is 160GB : I have to find a new HDD :(

Thanks for the answers.

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Dan Swartzendruber - 2009-09-27

gruzlor, how big the partition is is not important - it is how much of it is in use.

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Shih Yong - 2009-09-28

dswartz,

Let say the HDD is 250GB, partition created 250GB. Usage 20GB. Image will be able to create with Disk Image/Partition Image.

However, it will not be able to move the image back to a smaller disk (160GB) even the usage of the partition is just 20GB.

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Dan Swartzendruber - 2009-09-28

This is the point I was trying to make before. e.g. if this is the case, use gparted to resize the 250GB partition to one that will fit, then copy it with clonezilla.

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