Realign drive with BIBM

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by The Seeker, Feb 22, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Will realigning a hard drive with BootIt Bare Metal preserve data?
     
  2. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,115
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    The Seeker,

    I saw your post in the TeraByte forum. The Align button is not for aligning partitions on 2048 sector boundaries. It is "used to align the contents of a FAT/FAT32 partition so that conversion to NTFS results in cluster sizes that are more efficient."

    I suggest waiting for a response from TeraByte Support.
     
  3. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Yes, I just discovered this. I've found the setting I need under 'Drive Settings'. I've also found this tool which I've considered using. Another option could be to perhaps make an image backup tonight using the 'Align Partitions on 2048 Sectors' setting then restore using that image, after wiping my drive. Would this work?
     
  4. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,115
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    My understanding is you want to install a Linux OS in a 2048 sector aligned partition. At present your partitions are cylinder aligned. You don't want the Win7-1 partition anymore so I'd delete this partition and create a 2048 sector aligned Linux partition. Make sure you follow the TeraByte tutorial on installing Linux because if you don't do it correctly you could wipe out your BING partition.

    Leave the other partitions cylinder aligned.
     
  5. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    I see how this would work. I am concerned however that as the other partitions are not aligned, the Windows 7 installation on Win7-2 may be suffering. Also, do you know whether my idea would work? i.e. creating a new system image using the 'Align Partitions on 2048 Sectors' setting then restoring.
     
  6. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Seeker, I have used that option many times to restore a previously taken HDD image and place it back onto an SSD for proper alignment... all has worked very well.

    The alignment process works during the RESTORE operation, not during the backup.

    Good luck!

    Edit: using Windows OS...
     
  7. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Ah, so I don't need to check the '2048' before backing up, only during the restore?
     
  8. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    I made a backup last night, then restored this morning after checking the 'Align Partitions on 2048 Sectors'. The drive is still not aligned.

    Will do. I just hope it's soon.
     
  9. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    I end up aligning my drive using the Acronis tool I linked to earlier and it worked just fine.
     
  10. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,115
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Can you post a partinfo? I'm interested to see the changes.
     
  11. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Sure. Take a look here.
     
  12. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,115
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Thanks. It's done a good job. All numbers are correct for 2048 sector alignment.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.