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Multiple OS's, multiple images, single HD

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Anonymous
2009-12-11
2013-04-05
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2009-12-11

    I've just downloaded clonezilla, and I need to know what the best option for my situation is.

    I am going to reinstall Vista on my computer, as well as Linux Mint. My plan is to install Vista first, and then Linux mint, and then afterwards create 2 separate disk images, all on the same hard drive. In addition, I usually like to store all my files on a separate portion of the hard disk, so I can do a reinstall without losing data.

    So I would have on the hard drive

    Partition 1 (sda1) Vista
    Partition 2 (sda2) LInux Mint
    Partition 3 Vista Image
    Partition 4 Linux Image
    Partition 5 Common File Storage

    Is this feasible? Do I have to create the partitions for the disk images ahead of time, or will clonezilla do that for me?

     
  • nai7

    nai7 - 2009-12-12

    Hi there!

      Thanks for giving Clonezilla a try! The set up you describe is feasible, however it seems overly complicated. I say that because it is not necessary to have a one-to-one relationship between partitions and images in order to create a paritition-image of a drive. Further, Clonezilla cannot create partitions at all, so you would have to premake those partitions with some other tool. I would just save the partition-images to the common files directory.

      Perhaps I've had a lack in creativity, but since I can't come up with a compelling reason for the set up described, can you help me understand your motivations so, I can make sure I'm not missing something? If you're thinking of device-device cloing, that could explain the set up, but that is not necessary in your case unless I'm really missing something.

      As always, it is a best practice to ***always*** back up data ***before*** figuring out a new image creation and restoration process.

    Thanks!

    Alan

     
  • SecretCode

    SecretCode - 2009-12-16

    I would definitely use **gparted** to create the partitions, before installing any OSes. You can run it from the ubuntu livecd so I assume it's on the Mint cd - I just can't remember if that runs as a live cd?

    I also don't see the need for separate partitions just for storing the images - except to clone the "common files" partition itself. At least, you could use the same partition for both kinds of image.

    Remember linux likes a separate partition for its swap area.

    And - if you really want granularity - consider a partition for Mint's /home *and* a partition for Vista's Documents and Settings or Users. You want to preserve these when reinstalling, but they will end up with a lot of stuff installed by applications (specific to each OS) that you don't want in a common files area. - This is just an idea - I haven't seen it generally recommended.

     

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