What is most capable and reliable disk management software

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by AlphaOne, Aug 13, 2017.

  1. AlphaOne

    AlphaOne Registered Member

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    I finally got around to switching a couple of my machines to GPT (using Windows' MBR2GPT) and UEFI. (Added protection against ransomware, increased efficiency, more possible disk partitions, and other benefits).

    One of the things MBR2GPT does is add a small EFI system partition (ESP) after the C partition, which might be slightly better placed before the C partition. To move this partition and do some other partition improvements, I'm looking for disk management software to do things that Windows' built-in tool can't (move a partition, for example).

    My on-line research thus far shows AOMEI Partition Assistant and Mini Tool Partition Wizard consistently ranking at or near the top of the formal and user reviews I've seen.

    One feature that seems to distinguish AOMEI Partition Assistant from the others is its ability to create a bootable Windows PE OS that runs AOMEI Partition Assistant SE before Windows starts up.

    Is there a particular tool that people have a strong preference for?
     
  2. Mr.X

    Mr.X Registered Member

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    Here preference for MiniTool Partition Wizard.

    Don't know or haven't tried AOMEI products.
     
  3. oliverjia

    oliverjia Registered Member

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    Terabyte BootIt Bare Metal.
     
  4. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    I've used Partition Wizard for years and its done all the things you mention. The latest version (v10) can build a WinPE stand-alone BOOT environment that, as an ISO or a WIM file, may easily be added, via EasyBCD, to your System's BOOT Control Data (BCD) for pre-Windows BOOTing. I don't know whether that media is both UEFI and/or MBR BOOTable.

    The issue with all these so called "bootable" media is whether they are enabled for UEFI BOOTing or not. The main reason I have left my System at Legacy-MBR is to eliminate all these UEFI-specific requirements for BOOTing... everything, in the past, has been designed for Legacy-MBR BOOTing. Many of them have not come up with UEFI capability yet, and almost all of them are not dual-BOOTable (UEFI or MBR). To use this mis-mash of BOOTability, the user has to constantly be switching his BiOS BOOTing from UEFI to MBR and back... not for me. As far as multi-partition is concerned, Terabyte's BOOTit Bare Metal (BIBM... an eMBR addition) has always allowed partitioning up to 128 on Legacy-MBR disks... you don't need UEFI to do that. The only real feature missing (that most users would ever use) with MBR is Secure BOOT, your mileage may vary with that one.

    When UEFI finally settles down (and it hasn't yet), I may consider it.
     
  5. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

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    MBR2GPT can place the ESP (EFI System partition) before the OS partition, it depends on the partitions that exist in the MBR disk. But there is no preferred place for the ESP, AFAIK.
    So, if MBR2GPT validates your disk, just proceed with the conversion. Nothing else is needed.
     
  6. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

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    I think UEFI settled down several years ago. The problem is not UEFI, but the incomplete or incorrect implementations of different software vendors, etc.

    For example, AOMEI Backupper. To create the boot medium, it creates an ISO that lacks certain files needed to boot in UEFI native mode. So if you create the ISO and then build the boot UFD using the standard non-AOMEI procedures, the boot fails, the UFD doesn´t appear in the boot menu. You need to create directly the UFD from the AOMEI program, to include the necessary files. That´s an AOMEI problem, not an UEFI one.

    In regard to Secure Boot, I think it should always be enabled. It´s an extra protection, which may be useful (in ransomware cases, for example). And if it´s there, why not use it?
     
  7. Arvy

    Arvy Registered Member

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    I agree completely with Froggie's comment. The variability amongst current OEM UEFI implementations make any UEFI/GPT booting advantages over MBR booting highly questionable for anything (especially SSDs) under the 2 TB limit IMO. And that definitely includes its so-called "secure boot" feature which is really more like a DRM feature.

    That said, Robin is correct in stating that ESP placement in relation to other partitions is not critical. Nor is it placed consistently by Windows own setup process. A fairly straightforward statement about the MS "recommended" UEFI-based partitioning is provided in this TechNet article FWIW.
     
  8. AlphaOne

    AlphaOne Registered Member

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    I've done the GPT/UEFI change on my home tower and laptop (I'm adding a 4TB external drive to my home system in addition to my current 2TB external for redundant imaging). I'm not decided yet on whether or when to do it for the three business computers I maintain. The secure boot is the main reason for proceeding with GPT/UEFI on the business machines; things working well as they are and Frog's cautions above are reasons for not doing it right now.

    I still have a couple of data partitions on my laptop that I'd like to move next to each other and merge. I'm going to take a look at BOOTit Bare Metal.
     
  9. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    @Robin A. - indeed, you are correct, not just software vendors but some mainboard vendors as well (as far as BiOS compatibility is concerned). But I don't see where I need to put myself in a position where software/BiOS implementations may or may not work on my Systems, then spend countless effort and hours (including WILDERS time :cool:) coming up with the reason for the failure and whether there's even a workaround or not. Running Legacy-MBR Systems keeps me out of that morass... at least for the time being.

    When I said settled, I meant the industry, not just the specification. I just don't understand why vendors just don't get it... almost all OEM Systems delivered today are not only UEFI compatible but also UEFI configured. And as you said, the spec has been settled for many years already. MicroSloth has laid out the requirements for UEFI BOOTing as well as UEFI-MBR dual-BOOTing and vendors still don't get it... it's really not that hard to implement.

    As I mentioned, I'll stay in my "time machine" bubble with Legacy-MBR and have no immediate problems with software implementations... I'm sure it'll all come together... eventually?
     
  10. Arvy

    Arvy Registered Member

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    The UEFI "secure boot" = DRM issue has been discussed at great length since its inception much of which can be found in this summary compilation if interested. Although I'm obviously inclined to the "yes it is" side of that argument, I'll refrain from any long boring contention about it here. I'm probably influenced by my move toward Linux anyhow. ;)
     
  11. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    @AlphaOne - pls understand, UEFI BOOTing IS NOT REQUIRED for non-BOOTing large disks when they are added to your System. The only requirement would be that the large disks be GPT formatted to use the larger space... they will work fine on a Legacy-MBR System.
     
  12. AlphaOne

    AlphaOne Registered Member

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    I was aware of that, but I do appreciate your making sure I was.

    I knew I needed the GPT formatting on the new Advanced Format drive and thought I might as well "update" my system drive and BIOS booting at the same time; and update my laptop while I was at it; not realizing the issues and discussions you and Arvy alerted me to.

    I'm probably safe on these machine with an ASUS board and the type of work I'm doing on them.

    But it seems that there is too much doubt about UEFI to use it on the business machines. It does seem, however, from everybody's comments that there's nothing to worry about with GPT.
     
  13. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    @AlphaOne - the issues are primarily related to applications/mainboards that must be able to operate in a BOOTing environment. Standard PC apps have no issues with UEFI BOOTing, and once your System has been converted and correctly functioning, all should be fine. And yes, GPT formatting is solid... but it's a formatting spec, not a BOOTing spec.
     
  14. AlphaOne

    AlphaOne Registered Member

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    I didn't realize that. So I'm in good shape. Trying to get through the reading was turning out to be a bit of a project. I'm going to follow the lead here and wait before switching to UEFI BOOTing on the business machines.

    I took a look at BootIt Bare Metal. It seems to easily be the most powerful disk management tool I've seen. However, I'm leaning toward MiniTool Partition Wizard as the more appropriate tool for my limited purposes.
     
  15. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    If you're interested, the acquisition of the FREE Linux-based BOOTable v9.0 of Partition Wizard is discussed HERE. The FREE v10 version does not have a BOOTable media available, only the PAID version, and it's a WinPE version nowadays.

    I have found the v9.1 media does everything you might need to be done, but you may have to BOOT it in MBR mode in your BiOS. I don't know whether the v9.1 (FINAL) version is still available on their web site but if you need it, contact me via PM and we'll see what we can do.
     
  16. AlphaOne

    AlphaOne Registered Member

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    I think either of the two applications I mentioned above will be more than adequate for this short and modest task, without causing anybody else any effort.

    I appreciate the offer though. Thanks.
     
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