HOWTO

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HOWTO

Table of contents

1- Preamble
2- Some definitions
3- Some DOS commands
     a) Change drive
     b) List directory contents
     c) Change directory
     d) Execute a program
4- Preparation
     a) Boot disk creation (DOS version)
     b) Boot disk creation (Windows version)
     c) Temporary files removing
     d) Defragmentation
     e) Windows NT/2000/XP/... clone
     f) Save-partition
     g) Partition's name
     h) Creating files on NTFS partition
     i) What to save?
     j) Boot computer
5- Saving
     a) Start computer
     b) Launch program
     c) Action choice
     d) Support choice
     e) Partition choice
     f) Content choice
     g) Swap files directory
     h) Save-partition mount
     i) Automatic naming
     j) First saving file name
     k) Maximum saving file size
     l) Compression ratio
     m) Saving execution
     n) Configuration file
6- Restoring
     a) Action choice
     b) Save-partition mount
     c) First saving file name
     d) Destination-partition choice
     e) Confirmation
     f) Restoring execution
     g) End of restoring
7- After restoring
     a) Source-partition saved on itself
     b) Windows 2000, XP, ...
     c) Windows multiboot
     d) Linux
     e) Partition no more booting
8- Another way to find partitions

1- Preamble

This is not the Partition-Saving manual. This is a short description of how to use this program in a standard case. For more details, please read the manual and the FAQ.

2- Some definitions

A drive is a partition on a hard disk, a floppy drive or any other device that allows the storing of data. With DOS it is identified with a letter between 'A' and 'Z' followed with a ':' ('[', '\', ']', '^' and '`' are accepted as drive letter but they are rarely used).

A directory (or folder) is an element of a drive that allows grouping files (or other directories) together. Directories are organized on a drive in a "tree". A directory inside another directory is called a "sub-folder". A directory that contains a sub-folder is called the "parent directory" or "upper directory" of the sub-folder. The uppermost directory on a drive (corresponding to the base of the tree) is called the "root" directory.

The partition containing the data you wish to save is the "source-partition". The partition to which you save the files containing this data is the "save-partition". The partition to which you wish to ultimately restore the data is the "destination-partition".

3- Some DOS commands

DOS is an operating system (OS) that runs via a command line. Below are some useful DOS commands. All of these commands must be completed with an Enter key to be executed.

3.a	Change drive To change from a drive to another, you have to enter `"<drive letter>:"`. *Example:* To go to the floppy drive, you have to enter `"A:"`.
3.b	List directory contents To list what a directory contains, you have to enter `"dir"`. If you enter `"dir <directory name>"` you will get contents of <directory name>. If you do not give a directory name, you will get contents of current directory. If there were more files into a directory than can be shown on screen, you can enter `"dir <directory name> /p"` to pause the listing between each screen. *Example:* `"dir savepart"`.
3.c	Change directory To change from one directory to another, you have to enter `"cd <directory name>"`. If you do not give a <directory name>, the current directory name will be displayed. If <directory name> is equal to `"."`, nothing is done. If it is equal to `".."`, you are moved to the next directory upward in the tree. If it is equal to `"\"`, you go to the root directory in the tree. You can cross over several directories by separating them with a `"\"`. *Example:* You have following directory tree: `C: \|- savepart \| \|- doc \| \|- en \| \|- fr_ansi \| \|- fr_ascii` and your current directory is C:. If you enter `"cd savepart"`, you move to the savepart directory (typing `"cd"` will confirm this). If you next enter `"cd doc"`, you move to \savepart\doc. A faster way to go to this directory from C: is to enter `"cd savepart\doc"`. Once you are in \savepart\doc, `"cd .."` will move you back to \savepart. `"cd \"` will move you back to the root directory (C:).
3.d	Execute a program To execute a program, you enter its name. DOS begin to search for a file `"<program name>.bat"`, `"<program name>.com"` or `"<program name>.exe"` in the current directory, then into all directories listed in the `"PATH"` variable (which value can be displayed by entering `"path"`). You can also give a directory name with a program name for DOS to search it directly in that specific directory. *Example:* As in the previous example, you have stored savepart.exe into the \savepart directory; you are into C:\. You can enter `"savepart\savepart"` to run the program, or enter `"cd savepart"` then `"savepart"`.

4- Preparation

Here are the steps in preparing to save/restore a partition:

4.a	Boot disk creation (DOS version) To save/restore a partition, you need a boot floppy disk or CDROM or DOS 3.3 or later or Windows 3.x, 9x, Me installed on your hard disk. To learn how to create a boot floppy, read FAQ Q10 or search for "boot disk" in Windows help. Make sure that fdisk.exe, sys.com and format.com are on the boot floppy; they can be useful. Copy savepart.exe on it (or onto another floppy disk if there is not enough room). This is not needed if savepart is already on a FAT partition, but you must do it if savepart is on a NTFS partition otherwise DOS will not be able to access it.
4.b	Boot disk creation (Windows version) Saving system partition from Windows is not available because program cannot disallow other programs to access it when saving it (and no doing this will result into a wrong backup). So you shall have either another Windows installation, or create a WinPE or BartPE CD. You can also use the Windows Vista/Seven recovery console (not the Windows XP one because it has reduced functions). You can also read chapter 27 of manual to get more details on this version.
4.c	Temporary files removing To avoid saving useless data, remove temporary or uneeded files. The Windows swap file can also be moved onto another partition to avoid saving it (from V3.00 version, there is an option to not save it).
4.d	Defragmentation It is good to defragment partition before saving it. This will group all data at the beginning of the partition, which will allow you to restore it on a smaller partition, if you wish. In other cases it is not needed.
4.e	Windows NT/2000/... clone If you wish to clone a Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/Seven partition on another computer, you have to prepare Windows to this. For this purpose, please read Microsoft site and search for sysprep tool. Please note that this is better to do a fresh install in case both computers do not have the same hardware.
4.f	Save-partition You need a FAT, NTFS or ext2 partition or a device that is DOS-writeable to create saving files. In most cases, writing directly to a CD under DOS is not possible. So, you nearly always need to create a saved file on the hard disk, then return to your usual OS to burn the CD in a separate operation. For USB devices, some generic DOS drivers exist. If you have several types of partition (like NTFS and FAT) in a logical partition, you have to locate the FAT save-partition before the others (so that DOS will be able to find it).
4.g	Partition's name To be able to keep track of the partitions, it is best to give each a name. This will avoid confusion in case the matchup between a partition and a corresponding letter is wrong. For this: Launch Windows Explorer. Right click on the drive you want to save and select the properties menu (last option). Enter a name into the volume name text field (WINDOWS in this example). Click Ok to close properties window. Perform the same thing (but choosing another name) for the save-partition.
4.h	Creating files on NTFS partition This step is not needed if you can save files to a FAT or ext2 partition or if you use Windows version without trying to save a NTFS partition on itself. If you have only NTFS partitions available as save-partitions, you have to first use Windows to create some files (program needs to have these entries in a directory; it is not able to create them from DOS): Launch savepart.exe from Windows (or you can use spartwin.exe or spartw64.exe). Choose "Create some files on NTFS drive". Click on "Automatic naming". If you do not have a mouse, use Ctrl+Tab to go to "Options" window; use the spacebar to activate the checkbox. In the "File:" field, enter the name of the first file (with full pathname or by going first to a directory by using "Drives" and "Directories" fields). Click "Ok" (F:\IMAGE.PAR in this example). Give the number of files you need using this formula: <partition occupied size> / <size of saving files> / 2 + 3 <size of saving files> depends on what you want to do with them once they have been created (630 MB to burn them to 650 MB CDROM, 680 MB for 700 MB CDROM, 1550 MB for DVD (to have 3 files per DVD), 2047 MB to let them on disk). "/ 2" is in case you use compression. "+ 3" is some margin because the "/ 2" factor for compression is not exact (it depends on partition content). *Example:* If you have a 2 GB occupied partition that you want to save on 700 MB CDROM, you have to enter 5 (2048 / 700 / 2 = 1.5, rounds up to 2. Then adding 3 for margin, you get 5).
4.i	What to save? The most important partition to save is the one where the OS is. If the OS is installed on one partition and programs on another, there may be links between them (for example the registry and Windows DLL); in this case, save both partitions by running savepart twice. A better way, perhaps, is to create at least 2 partitions: one with the OS and programs, the second with your data. This way, the data will not be erased in case of a problem with the OS only. Otherwise, if everything is on the same partition, you may have to first save your data elsewhere to avoid its replacement by older version when the partition is restored. Saving the partition table or MBR is a good idea in case one day a virus infects your computer (some of them destroy this data). With Windows Vista and Seven, Windows can create a small partition before its main partition. This partition contains the boot information, so it can be a good idea to save it.
4.j	Boot computer When exiting your OS to boot the computer to launch Partition-Saving, do not put this OS into hibernation mode (be aware that it is Windows Vista default mode, in start menu, choose the reboot through the arrow button listing all shutdown modes). This can lead to wrong result as OS does not allow or can be corrupted in case of filesystem modification when being into this mode. For the same reason, shutdown it or boot it cleanly. If you push the reset button from Windows, you will have a damaged filesystem (this can also happen when booting with Alt+Ctrl+Del).

5- Saving

Here are steps involved in saving a partition:

5.a	Start computer Boot to DOS (or Windows depending on version) with your boot floppy disk or CDROM.
5.b	Launch program Launch "savepart.exe" at prompt (change floppy disk before if it is on another one, or go to directory where it is in case it is on disk).
5.c	Action choice Choose "Save an element" in the first window.
5.d	Support choice Choose a support option. As a general rule, the system partition is on disk number 0. Choose "DOS devices" only if the element being saved is not on a hard disk or a floppy.
5.e	Partition choice Choose the partition you want to save (use the name you gave it earlier; do not rely on drive letters, since these can be misassigned and DOS does not see NTFS partitions at all) (the one named WINDOWS in this example). If you see only one partition with a "dynamic disk" type, that disk is dynamically managed and you cannot save it with DOS version of Partition-Saving. With Windows version, you can save it but with using the "Windows device" type of support instead of using disk. If no partition appears, this can mean partitions table is wrong. You can use partinfo tool to check it. If problem is due to a difference in disk size depending on used OS, you can use the `"-tds"` option (`"savepart -tds"`) or use a Partition-Saving version that runs on the OS used to create these partitions (this second option being better).
5.f	Content choice Choose what you want to save. To have smallest file size, choose "occupied sectors without swap files". If you have only one partition (so that the saving file will be on the source-partition), you must choose "element on itself" or "element on itself without swap files" option. If you choose first option (all sectors) or if this window does not appear, it means you will be able to restore only to a partition of the exact same size, at the same place on a disk having the same format. Choosing one of the 4 last options allows you to restore partition on a partition with a different configuration.
5.g	Swap files directory If you choose one of the "without swap files" options, you have to give the directory name where the swap files are located. Program always searches for them in the root directory and then in the directory you specify here. In most cases, swap files are in the root directory or the Windows directory; Windows directory is a good choice here (WINDOWS in this example but depending on Windows version, or if you gave another name at installation, it can have another name).
5.h	Save-partition mount If you have to use an NTFS (for DOS version) or ext2 (for DOS and Windows versions) partition as save-partition, you have to first mount it. To do this: Click on "Mount partition" button. Choose the disk containing the partition where to create saving files. Choose the partition where to create saving files. A window tells you which drive letter is affected to this partition (0: in this example). In case mounting a NTFS partition, please read also chapter 4.h.
5.i	Automatic naming Select "Automatic naming" in case you want to use it. Program will automatically change file extension in case several files are needed; a second file will have an extension ending with 01, third with 02, etc. If you do not have a mouse, press "Alt+Tab" to activate the window where this option is, the spacebar activates the checkbox.
5.j	First saving file name Enter the filename you want to use as first saving file (full pathname or go to the directory by using "Drives" and "Directories") (0:\IMAGE.PAR in this example). Files created with this program do not need any specific extension; avoid confusion and do not use an extension used by another program. A good extension is ".000" such as with automatic naming, the second file will use ".001", the third ".003", etc. Unless you choose an option to save partition on itself, you should not choose the drive corresponding to the source-partition. With DOS: Names can be no more than 8 characters long, followed by a 3 characters extension ("fichier00.part" will be truncated to "fichier0.par"). Filenames can contain alphabetical and numerical characters and the characters: '$', '%', ''', '-', '_', '@', '~', '`', '!', '(', ')', '{', '}', '^', '#' and '&'. DOS does not recognise NTFS partitions, so it is normal the C:, D:, ... drives to not appear or to not be the same than under Windows if they use NTFS. Note: you do not have these limitations if you use partition mounting. If you get an error telling you the file cannot be created or written: check you have rights to create it (not protected disk, not read-only file or directory), if you try to create it on an USB device, use `"-nvf -nvd"` options when launching program, if you try to create it on a mounted NTFS partition, please read chapter 4.h.
5.k	Maximum saving file size Enter the maximum size you want the file to be. If more space is needed, several files are created (680 in this example to burn files on 700 MB CD).
5.l	Compression ratio Select the compression ratio: use a low value in case your computer is not powerful (2 is a good value). Otherwise, use something higher. Values above 5 give very little gain in comparison with time spent.
5.m	Saving execution At this point, saving begins. When a file is filled, you will be asked for another name if you do not choose automatic naming option. Saving ends when the upper progress bar reaches 100% and the "Ok" button becomes active.
5.n	Configuration file Program asks you if you want to create a configuration file that will allow you to save/restore this partition automatically the next time. If you answer "yes", program requests you to give it a name.

Saving is complete. You can now boot back to Windows if you want to burn created file onto a CD.
For best results, do not burn them at a too high speed because you can have problem in case they are not well burned. It is always a good idea to check if burned CDs are correct. Boot back into DOS and use the "Check a saving file" option.
If you created the configuration file, you may need to modify it with a text editor to update the file pathname ("file=" lines), since moving files changes their pathname.

6- Restoring

If when saving you have created the configuration file and you want to restore the source-partition, enter "savepart -r -f <configuration filename>" and restoring will be automatic.
Warning: no confirmation will be asked for.

If you did not create a configuration file or prefer to restore by hand, the steps are below:

6.a	Action choice Choose "Restore an element" option in first window.
6.b	Save-partition mount In case saving files are on a NTFS or ext2 partition you must first mount it (as you did when saving; see 5.h above).
6.c	First saving file name You have to enter the name of first saving file: you should enter its full pathname into "File" line (or double-click on its name into the "Files" list after moving to its directory with "Drives" and "Directories" lists). You must be sure that this file is not on the destination-partition. As for saving, you can choose the automatic naming option for following files name to be automatically deduced.
6.d	Destination-partition choice Depending on this first file contents and how your partitions are set up, program offers you a list of destination-partitions how which restoring can be done. The one that is identical to the source-partition is marked with an 'X' into "Id." column. Notes: Obvioulsy, restoring erases the contents of destination-partition. If you saved the partition table and restore it, you will loose the content of all partitions on disk on destination disk. In case partition where you want to restore does not appear, it can be because: The size of the destination-partition is different from the one shown on the "Potential size range" or "Size" lines. The destination type is not the same as the one given on the "Element type" line. You saved all sectors and the destination-partition does not have exactly the same definition than the source one.
6.e	Confirmation You have to confirm your choice.
6.f	Restoring execution Restoring begins. If saving involved several files and you did not choose automatic naming, program will ask for the name of the next file when it reaches end of current one. Do not rely on the estimated time if you saved occupied sectors only because it is computed as if all sectors are occupied. If you used compression, the restore operation should go faster than saving; else it takes nearly the same time.
6.g	End of restoring Once restoring is ended, you should not access to restored partition before having booted your computer. This is because information that DOS has into memory are no more coherent with partition content and so using it will end with data corruption. Note: some people have to power off there computer to be sure that memory is cleared, but this is an extrem case.

7- After restoring

Once restoring is ended, you can have to perform some operations after first reboot. Usually this is in case the destination-partition is different from the source one. Mostly encountered operations are:

7.a	Source-partition saved on itself If you saved partition on itself (source-partition and save-partition are the same), saving files can appear on destination-partition. In this case you can remove them as they are no longer needed(I speak about the files that can appear on destination-partition, not those you used to do these restoring which are always correct). It is better to perform a check of the destination-partition if it is not automatically done.
7.b	Windows 2000, XP, ... If you choose a destination-partition that is different from the source one (either it is not on the same disk or beginning of partition has moved on disk) and you have Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Seven, you have to update some definitions into registry (see chapter 11 of manual). As a summary, if your source-partition was your system partition, you have to choose to update registry, choose the destination-partition as Windows partition, then as partition to change drive assignment and set it the drive letter of the source-partition. If the destination-partition was present when you perform the save and the source-partition is still here, you will have to assign the previous drive letter of the destination-partition to the source one (still for the Windows on the destination-partition).
7.c	Windows multiboot If you have several Windows installation, you use Windows multiboot feature and your source-partition was your boot or system partition, you have to update some files on the destination-partition (if it is not the same as source-partition): BOOTSECT.DOS/BOOTSECT.BAK file that contains original boot sector of this partition (if it exists) (only for boot partition). For this you can use the decicated Partition-Saving option (see chapter 13 of manual). BOOT.INI file that describes each boot option in XP case. To do this, you can either explore the partition and edit the file if you know its syntax, or boot from the Windows CD, choose the repair option and run `"bootcfg"` in console mode. Boot\BCD file that describes each boot option in Vista/Seven case. To do this, you can either use the decicated Partition-Saving option (see chapter 12 of manual) or boot with the Windows DVD, choose repair mode and run `"bootrec /RebuildBcd"` in console mode if automatic repair is not done.
7.d	Linux If the source-partition was used with Linux, and destination-partition is different from source one, you have to update the `"/etc/fstab"` (file that describes mount points). If it a system partition, you will have also to update the boot loader. For this you have to boot with the Linux CD and use the rescue mode to update mount point and boot loader (in most cases, rescue mode allows such operations, but it depends on distribution).
7.e	Partition no more booting In some cases, if you restore a system partition, it could be made non-bootable. You have to: Use fdisk to check this partition is activated (only for boot partition). For a FAT partition, restore the Master Boot Record (MBR) with `"fdisk /mbr"`. Using a boot floppy disk, restore the boot sector and system files with `"sys c:"`. For an NTFS partition, use the `"fixboot"`, `"fixmbr"` and `"bootcfg"` (XP) or `"bootrec"` (Vista) commands at the repair console usually loaded from the install CD. If you get an error like `"NTLDR is missing"` (or `"BOOTMGR is missing"`) copy the `"NTLDR"` and `"NTDETECT.COM"` files from `"i386"` directory (or `"BOOTMGR"` file from root directory) on CDROM to the root directory of partition. In case these files have an extension that ends with `"_"` (NTDETECT.CO_), use the `"expand"` command to uncompress them. For FAT and NTFS partitions, you can use option to fix disk physical definition into boot sector (cf. chapter 14 of manuel) (note: above operations shall already fix it).

8- Another way to find partitions

Starting from version 3.80, there is another way for program to know which partition shall be saved/restored and where. You can create a file to mark partition to save/restore and another one to mark partition where to put/get backup files. Then when you launch program, you can tell him to search for these files through the "-fp" and "-ff" options.
This allows replacing steps 5.d, 5.e, 5.f, 5.g, 5.h, 5.i, 5.j, 5.k, 5.l when saving, and steps 6.b, 6.c, 6.d, 6.e when restoring. Be aware that program will ask for confirmation that found partitions are searched ones, but it will not ask for confirmation to overwrite destination.
If you create the marker files through the dedicated option ("Creating files marking drives to use"), this can replace the preparation step 4.h.
To get more details on how to use this, you can look at chapter 22 of manual.

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