Two Computer Image back ups on one External HD

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by JerryM, Jun 3, 2017.

  1. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    Can two system images (two different computers) be put on one external HD of 1 TB capacity?
    Thanks,
    Jerry
     
  2. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

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    Depends on how much data you have. Space would be the only issue, if it is one. I use a 10 TB drive at work to back up 15 machine on. There are no issues with conflicts or anything if that is your concern. You may want to create separate folders for each PC so as not to mix them up.
     
  3. Shankle

    Shankle Registered Member

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    I have Ubuntu and Windows7 on a 1T HD. The thing you must be careful with is
    the size of the partition you make on the HD. It must be a tad smaller than your
    source partition or the restore WON'T work. I'm speaking from experience I am
    sorry to say.
     
  4. blacknight

    blacknight Registered Member

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    No problem. On my external HD I have many images of two pc, made with Acronis and AOMEI.
     
  5. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    Shankle,

    Would you mind giving an example. I don't follow what you are saying.
     
  6. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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    speaking of images means "backup files" or "working os"?
    backups yes, working os not without modifying boot sequence
     
  7. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    I have a desk PC and a laptop. I have been using different external HD for the two. I was just wondering why I could not use one external HD for both.
    Thanks. I don't understand how to partition. Why won't the system recognize the correct computer?
    Jerry
     
  8. Shankle

    Shankle Registered Member

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    To Brian K:
    EX: You have a masm32 partition of 50G. You make a partition on the 1T hd of 48G.
    Since the restore will go from a smaller partition to a larger partition it will work.
    If the 1T hd partition is 70G and you want to restore masm32 to a 50G partition
    it will fail. It happened to me using Clonezilla-live. Restore time with Clonezilla
    -live is about 15 minutes. If it fails to restore, about a week if you are lucky.
    A great program for partitioning is MiniToolPartition wizard.
    To Jerry M:
    Using MiniTool I have created two partitions on the 1T HD. 1st one is Masm32
    and the 2nd one is GoAsm.
    These are the experiences I have had so I hope it helps somebody.
     
  9. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    Jerry,

    I assume you are creating image backups and not partition copies.

    Image backups are files, so you can save multiple generations. A partition copy leaves you with just one generation.
    Image backups can be saved/moved anywhere a file can go, such as optical media. internal HDs, USB HDs, network drives, cloud, tape. Partition copies cannot.
    Image backups are compressed and capture only used space. Partition copies are not only uncompressed, they duplicate free space in the partition as well.

    As pointed out earlier, you can have as many image backups in a single partition as will fit.
     
  10. JerryM

    JerryM Registered Member

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    Thanks, Brian. That is helpful. Yes I am creating image backups.
    Regards, Jerry
     
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