User manual ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT 2003

User's Guide PartitionExpert 2003 Compute with confidence www.acronis.com Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002. All rights reserved. Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and copyrights referred to are the property of their respective owners. Distribution of substantively modified versions of this document is prohibited without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Distribution of the work or derivative work in any standard (paper) book form for commercial purposes is prohibited unless prior permission is obtained from the copyright holder. DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED «AS IS» AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 1. INSTALLATION AND RUNNING ................................................... 7 1.1 WHAT'S INCLUDED ......................................................................... 7 1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 7 1.3 INSTALLATION PROCESS ................................................................. 7 1.4 UPGRADING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ...................................... 8 1.5 REMOVING SOFTWARE .................................................................... 8 1.6 USER INTERFACE............................................................................. 9 1.7 BEFORE YOU RUN ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ............................ 9 1.8 RUNNING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT ........................................ 10 CHAPTER 2. BEGINNING THE WORK............................................................ 11 2.1 ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT LOGICAL ORGANIZATION ............... 11 2.1.1 AUTOMATIC PARTITION OPERATIONS........................................................ 11 2.1.2 MANUAL PARTITION OPERATIONS............................................................. 11 2.1.3 SWITCHING MODES ...................................................................................11 2.2 2.3 ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT MAIN WINDOW............................... 12 CALLING PARTITION OPERATIONS................................................ 14 2.2.1 DISK AND PARTITION INFORMATION .........................................................13 2.2.2 CUSTOMIZING THE MAIN WINDOW APPEARANCE ......................................14 2.3.1 CALLING THE MAIN OPERATIONS ..............................................................14 2.3.2 ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS ........................................................................15 2.3.3 INVOKING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT WIZARDS ....................................15 2.4 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.4.4 2.4.5 2.4.6 2.4.7 PARTITION OPERATION PROPERTIES............................................. 15 DISPLAYING OPERATION RESULTS ............................................................15 PENDING OPERATIONS ..............................................................................16 VIEWING DELAYED OPERATIONS ..............................................................16 PERFORMING PENDING OPERATIONS .........................................................16 MODIFYING PENDING OPERATIONS ...........................................................16 UNDOING USER ACTIONS ..........................................................................17 WIZARD OPERATIONS ...............................................................................18 2.5 PROTECTING ACRONIS PARTITIONEXPERT WITH A PASSWORD .. 19 CHAPTER 3. AUTOMATIC PARTITION OPERATIONS.................................... 21 3.1 CREATING A NEW PARTITION....................................................... 21 3.2 INCREASING PARTITION FREE SPACE............................................ 30 3.3 COPYING PARTITIONS.................................................................... 32 CHAPTER 4. MANUAL PARTITION OPERATIONS.......................................... 39 4.1 MAIN PARTITION OPERATIONS ..................................................... 39 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.1.6 4.1.7 4.1.8 4.1.9 4.1.10 CREATING NEW PARTITIONS .....................................................................39 COPYING A PARTITION TO UNALLOCATED DISK SPACE.............................. 41 MOVING A PARTITION TO UNALLOCATED DISK SPACE............................... 44 RESIZING AND/OR MOVING A PARTITION................................................... 47 CHANGING PARTITION LABELS .................................................................49 FORMATTING A PARTITION .......................................................................50 DELETING A PARTITION ............................................................................51 CHECKING HARD DISK PARTITIONS FOR ERRORS .......................................52 DEFRAGMENTING A PARTITION................................................................. 53 WIPING UNALLOCATED HARD DISK SPACE ................................................54 Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 3 4.1.11 CLEARING A HARD DISK............................................................................ 55 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.2.4 4.2.5 4.2.6 4.2.7 4.2.8 4.2.9 ADDITIONAL PARTITION OPERATIONS.......................................... 57 CHANGING PARTITION LETTER.................................................................. 57 CONVERTING A FILE SYSTEM ....................................................................58 HIDING A PARTITION................................................................................. 59 UNHIDING A PARTITION ............................................................................60 SETTING ACTIVE PARTITION...................................................................... 61 RESIZING ROOT .........................................................................................62 CHANGING CLUSTER SIZE .........................................................................63 CHANGING PARTITION TYPE...................................................................... 64 RESIZING INODE TABLE IN LINUX EXT2/EXT3 .......................................65 APPENDIX A. HARD DISK AND OPERATING SYSTEM .................................. 67 A.1 HARD DISK ORGANIZATION .......................................................... 67 A.2 HARD DISK PARTITION.................................................................. 68 A.3 PARTITION TYPES .......................................................................... 68 A.4 PRIMARY PARTITIONS ................................................................... 70 A.5 EXTENDED PARTITIONS................................................................. 70 A.6 LOGICAL PARTITIONS.................................................................... 70 A.7 FORMATTING HARD DISKS............................................................ 70 A.8 FILE SYSTEMS................................................................................ 71 A.9 FILE SYSTEM MAIN SPECIFICATIONS ............................................ 72 A.9.1 A.9.2 A.9.3 A.9.4 A.9.5 A.9.6 A.9.7 FILE SYSTEM SPECIFICATION SUMMARY ...................................................72 FAT16......................................................................................................73 FAT32......................................................................................................74 NTFS........................................................................................................74 LINUX EXT2 .............................................................................................75 LINUX EXT3 .............................................................................................75 LINUX REISERFS ......................................................................................75 APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY ............................................................................... 76 4 Introduction What is Acronis PartitionExpert Acronis PartitionExpert is a hard disk partition manager, enabling you to: · · · · · · Create hard disk partitions, Resize and move them without data loss and destruction, Convert partitions to other file systems without data loss, Copy (move) partition contents, Delete partitions, Format, label, assign letters, hide and unhide partitions, set active partitions and perform rarely used operations. Some terms of this Guide might seem unfamiliar. Appendix A «Hard Disk And Operating System» and Appendix B «Glossary» provide descriptions of some hard disk data storage components and used terms. The purpose of Acronis PartitionExpert Current hard disks feature 100 GB and higher capacity. To better organize application files, images, video files, etc. ­ it makes sense to keep them on separate partitions. Disk space should be controlled. Acronis PartitionExpert enables you to reconfigure hard disk partitions any time to use the disk space most efficiently. By partitioning your hard disk, you get the following advantages: 1. More effective hard disk space usage. The cluster is a minimal data storage unit in Windows FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems. High-capacity disks usually feature 32 KB clusters. Keeping numerous small files on a disk, wastes much of the disk space. Having partitioned it, you can significantly reduce space losses. (For details see A.9.2 «FAT16» -- Table 3.) 2. Different partitions for operating system(s), applications and data. If the system partition (where the OS is installed) is destroyed by a virus, for example, it will not affect your data partitions. 3. The opportunity to install several operating systems on different partitions. Installing several operating systems enables you to master new OS versions, or work with older, but useful applications. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 5 4. Simpler and faster disk maintenance. Bad sector and OS error check, defragmentation of a 6­8 GB partition is significantly faster than that of 100 GB hard disk. Guide contents or how to find the information you need Acronis PartitionExpert User's Guide contains: · Chapter 1 «Installation And Running» -- general information about software installation, running, error recovery, removal, and user interface essentials. Chapter 2 «Beginning The Work» -- information about the main window of Acronis PartitionExpert, logical software organization, main features, methods of calling and executing partition operations. Chapter 3 «Automatic Partition Operations» -- beginner information about disk partition operations, performed through Wizards. Chapter 4 «Manual Partition» -- experienced user information about manually performed disk partition operations. Appendix A «Hard Disk And Operating System» -- supplemental information about hard disks, partitions, and file systems. Appendix B «Glossary» -- technical term glossary to help you understand this Guide. · · · · · Software use conditions The conditions of Acronis PartitionExpert use are listed in the supplied «License Agreement». To be able to prove that you legally purchased and use Acronis PartitionExpert, you receive a registration card along with the package. Each registration card also has its own unique number. Based on current legislation the «License Agreement» is considered as a contract between user and software vendor. The contract has the legal effect; its violation may lead to a trial. Illegal use or distribution of software is a violation of the law and will be prosecuted. Technical support Users that have legally purchased and registered their copy of Acronis PartitionExpert receive free technical support from Acronis. If you have problems installing or using the system that you cannot be resolve with the help of this Guide and readme file, please e-mail technical support. You will also need to provide the registration number of your Acronis PartitionExpert copy supplied with this package. Support URL: http://www.acronis.com/support/ E-mail: support@acronis.com 6 Introduction Chapter 1. Installation And Running 1.1 What's Included Acronis PartitionExpert package includes: · · · · · Installation CD-ROM, This Guide, License Agreement, Registration card, Advertising information. 1.2 System Requirements To take full advantage of Acronis PartitionExpert you should have: · A PC-compatible computer with a Pentium CPU or similar, · 32 MB RAM, · A floppy or a CD-RW drive, · VGA monitor, · A mouse (recommended). 1.3 Installation Process To install Acronis PartitionExpert: 1. 2. 3. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive and run the installer. Thoroughly follow all instructions. Having answered all installer questions, Acronis PartitionExpert files will be copied to the hard disk, and you'll be prompted to create Acronis PartitionExpert bootable diskettes or a CD (pass this step if you purchased PartitionExpert on a bootable CD). You might have to run the software from bootable diskettes or CD in two situations: (1) (2) After a serious Windows failure, forcing you to reinstall it and reconfigure partitions, For working with Acronis PartitionExpert on a non-Windows, for example Linux-based, PC. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 7 Having installed Acronis PartitionExpert, reboot your PC. 1.4 Upgrading Acronis PartitionExpert If Acronis PartitionExpert was damaged during installation or execution, run its installation program again. The software will determine that Acronis PartitionExpert has already been installed to your PC and ask if you want to recover (update) or completely remove it from the disk. In the installation wizard window select Recover/Update Acronis PartitionExpert and click Next. All Acronis PartitionExpert files will be copied to your hard disk again to restore the software. Software upgrades (with certain bug fixes) may be downloaded freely from Acronis website: http://www.acronis.com/ support/updates/. 1.5 Removing Software To remove the software select Acronis PartitionExpert Remove Acronis PartitionExpert from the Programs menu. You will see the dialog box to confirm removal of the software from your PC hard disk. To confirm removal click Yes. Acronis PartitionExpert will be completely removed from the PC hard disk. 8 Chapter 1 : Installation And Running 1.6 User Interface Acronis PartitionExpert software is installed in OS Windows, has graphical user interface and is controlled by the mouse or by Tab, Shift+Tab, Left, Right, Up, Down, Space, Enter and Escape keys. If you regularly work with Windows or X Window applications, you should not encounter any problems with the Acronis PartitionExpert interface. While working with Acronis PartitionExpert software, a user deals with a sequence of dialogs, in which he/she selects one further action, of several possible, by setting switches to the necessary position or choosing a value from a list, or marking the necessary partitions or disks for work. 1.7 Before You Run Acronis PartitionExpert PLEASE NOTE: Operations on system, application or data partitions must be done very carefully to avoid potential hard disk booting or data storage problems. Acronis PartitionExpert is thoroughly tested for working with numerous hard disks, so any potential problems are not caused by the software, but only from improper use. A power loss, PC power cut, or pressed Reset might result in partition damage and data loss. Please take all necessary precautions and following these simple rules: 1. Create a full backup of the disk that partitions are to be reconfigured. It will assure you that your data will not be lost under any circumstances. Almost all current PCs feature CD-R/W drives. Having a hard disk or the most important data CD backup will enable you to work on partitions with full confidence. Acronis offers extremely effective hard disk and partition backup software -- Acronis TrueImage (visit http://www.acronis.com/products/trueimage/). Acronis TrueImage creates a hard disk and partition backup, stored in a compressed archive file, whose contents can be restored any time. 2. Test your disk to make sure it's fully functional and does not contain bad sectors or file system errors. You can invoke system hard disk checking tools directly from Acronis PartitionExpert by selecting Disk Check or clicking Check the selected partition for errors toolbar button. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 9 3. Do not perform any partition operations while running other software that has low-level disk access, for example anti-virus or backup tools. Close such programs before running Acronis PartitionExpert. Following these simple rules, you will protect yourself against data loss. 1.8 Running Acronis PartitionExpert Running under Windows Under Windows Acronis PartitionExpert can be run by selecting Start grams Acronis PartitionExpert Acronis PartitionExpert. Pro- Having been run under Windows, Acronis PartitionExpert can perform operations on any partitions, including primary, logical, system, or data without rebooting your PC. Running Acronis PartitionExpert for the first time Having run Acronis PartitionExpert for the first time, you will be prompted to choose if you want to work in the Automatic Mode or in the Manual Mode. Automatic Mode provides enough functionality to create almost any partition configuration on your PC hard disks. If you need a detailed partition structure representation with a complete set of partition operations and controls, choose the Manual Mode. Working with Acronis PartitionExpert, you can switch between modes any time (see 2.1.3 «Switching modes»). Running from bootable diskettes or CD Previously we have explained how to create bootable diskettes or a CD (see 1.3 «Installation Process» #3.). While working with Acronis PartitionExpert you may need to use the disks/disc: (1) after a serious Windows failure or (2) to work on a Linux-based PC. Your PC BIOS must be set correctly to boot and run the software from bootable diskettes or CD. Bootable diskettes or CD can be created during Acronis PartitionExpert installation (see 1.3 «Installation Process»). If you need to do this after installation, select Start Program Acronis PartitionExpert Bootable Rescue Media Builder. If you purchased Acronis PartitionExpert on a CD-ROM, you do not have to create bootable media, as the CD-ROM itself is bootable. 10 Chapter 1 : Installation And Running Chapter 2. Beginning The Work 2.1 Acronis PartitionExpert Logical Organization Acronis PartitionExpert provides two operation modes (see 1.8 «Running Acronis PartitionExpert» -- «Running Acronis PartitionExpert»): · · «Automatic partition operations» mode is designed for the most frequent operations suitable for most users. «Manual partition operations» mode for any partition operations. This mode is intended for experienced users with some knowledge of disk data storage organization and provides full operation control. 2.1.1 Automatic partition operations In the «Automatic partition operations» mode all actions are performed through Acronis PartitionExpert wizards. There are three of them available: · · · Create partition wizard -- enables you to create a partition of unallocated disk space or other partitions; Increase free space wizard -- enables you to enlarge a partition at the expense of unallocated disk space or other partitions; Copy partition wizard -- enables you to copy a partition. Through these wizards even an inexperienced user will be able to perform step-by-step operations in this mode. 2.1.2 Manual partition operations In the «Manual partition operations» mode experienced users have access to all Acronis PartitionExpert features. Partition operations are performed through entering necessary parameters into dialog boxes. The main difference between the automatic and manual modes is that wizards perform operation series in the former case, and only single disk/partition operation in the latter. 2.1.3 Switching modes Having selected Acronis PartitionExpert operation mode during the installation (see 1.3 «Installation Process» #3.), you can switch to another mode any time. Select View Automatic Mode for the automatic mode or View Manual Mode for the manual. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 11 2.2 Acronis PartitionExpert Main Window Acronis PartitionExpert is controlled through the main window. It includes the menu, toolbar, disk and partition tree (shown/hidden through the View menu), and represents the computer disk and partition list. The main window appearance differs depending on the selected operation mode (see 2.1 «Acronis PartitionExpert Logical Organization»). The difference applies to the available operation list in the main menu, partition context menus, side- and toolbar, and the amount of partition structure details represented. Acronis PartitionExpert main window, Automatic Mode 12 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work In the manual partition operations mode the main window also includes all unallocated disk space, while only partitions are shown in the automatic mode. Partition creation, free space, and copy wizards automatically recognize unallocated disk space. Acronis PartitionExpert main window, Manual Mode 2.2.1 Disk and partition information The main window shows the partition's disk number, assigned letter, label, type, status, size, free space size, and file system. Disk and partition information is also provided in the partition and disk tree. The bottom part of the main window graphically indicates the selected disk and its partitions as rectangles with basic data on them (label, letter, size, type, file system). Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 13 2.2.2 Customizing the main window appearance You can customize the main window appearance as you would like using the View menu -- in particular to show or hide window elements like sidebar, partition and disk tree, toolbars, etc. The partition and disk tree in the main window 2.3 Calling Partition Operations All partition operations in both modes are called and executed similarly. 2.3.1 Calling the main operations Any partition operations can be called: · · · · By selecting from the Disk submenu, From customizable toolbars, From partition context menu (both in the main window, and the graphical panel), From Operations and Advanced sidebar lists. Note that the list of available operations in the Disk submenu and the Operations sidebar list depend on the selected partition type. This holds true for unallocated space as well. 14 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work 2.3.2 Additional operations Additional hard disk partition operations are: · · · · · · · Convert -- convert FAT16 partition file system to FAT32, Ext2 to Ext3, and vice versa, Hide/Unhide -- hide/unhide a partition, Set Active -- set active partition, Resize Root -- resize FAT16 partition root, Change Bytes per INODE -- resize INODE table (Linux Ext2/Ext3), Change Cluster Size -- change FAT16/FAT32 partition cluster size, Change Type -- change partition type. Additional partition operations are called from the Advanced sidebar list, same partition context menu item or toolbar button. Note that the additional operations list of the partition context menu or toolbar depends on the selection of a partition type. For example, the FAT16 partition menu contains Advanced Resize Root; this is absent in the FAT32 partition menu. Unlike FAT16, Linux Ext2/Ext3 partition context menu contains Advanced Change Bytes per INODE. 2.3.3 Invoking Acronis PartitionExpert wizards Acronis PartitionExpert wizards are invoked from the Wizards submenu and the same sidebar list. For example, select Wizards Create Partition for the partition creation wizard. 2.4 2.4.1 Partition Operation Properties Displaying operation results Results of performing any disk partition operation are immediately displayed in Acronis PartitionExpert main window. If you create a new partition, it will be immediately shown in the hard disk partition list in the main window, as well as in the graphical form on the bottom of the main windows. Any existing partition changes, including resizing, relocating, labeling, etc., are also immediately displayed in the main window. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 15 2.4.2 Pending operations All Acronis PartitionExpert operations are pending, that is they are performed later, when you are completely sure they are necessary. Until then Acronis PartitionExpert will only show the new partition structure that is provided by operations to be performed. Therefore, you can view the graphical representation of the new partition structure first, and then decide to perform or cancel chosen operations. 2.4.3 Viewing delayed operations All Acronis PartitionExpert pending operations are added to the pending operations list. You can view it in the Pending Operations window, by clicking Operations Show: Pending operations list This organization enables you to control all planned operations, double check your intended work, and undo them fully or partially if needed. 2.4.4 Performing pending operations To actually perform planned hard disk operations, one has to do one of the following: · · Select Operations Click Commit in the main menu, Commit Pending Operations toolbar button. This performs all pending operations. You will not be able to undo any actions or operations after you commit the operation. 2.4.5 Modifying pending operations All your actions result in the creation of pending operations. For example, you can create a new partition, provided its type, file system, size, loca16 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work tion, and label. You can easily view the Acronis PartitionExpert pending operation for the partition you are working on (see 2.4.3 «Viewing delayed operations»). You can always change any operation parameter, including type, files system, size, location, etc. before performing the operation. Using Change type, Convert, Move, Resize, etc. operations, you will also see that your actions do not result in creating new pending operations, as you might have expected. These actions will only change the existing pending operation parameters. If you decide to change the label of another (existing) partition, Acronis PartitionExpert will immediately create a new pending operation. So, the same actions sometimes result in the creation of a new pending operation, or modification of existing operations. 2.4.6 Undoing user actions Calling wizards or dialog boxes for planning disk partition operations are user actions. User entries are necessary operation parameters on the wizard or dialog box pages. One user action in Acronis PartitionExpert enables you to plan a whole list of partition operations. For example, calling a wizard for partition creation or resizing. (You can easily verify your actions by looking at the Pending Operations when the wizard finishes its work.) You can also create a partition by selecting Disk Create Partition, that requires a list of actions to be performed (enter a label, select partition type, file system, size, and location), resulting in the creation of a single partition create operation only. The difference between user actions and partition operations should be kept in mind, if you wish to undo user actions. Any user action in Acronis PartitionExpert can be undone or redone before committing the operation. To undo a user action: · · Select Operations Click Undo from the main menu (or press Ctrl+Z), Undo Last Action toolbar button. To redo a user action: · · Select Operations Click Redo from the main menu (or press Ctrl+Y), Redo Last Action toolbar button. As user actions result in pending partition operations, as mentioned above, undoing them results in canceling one or several partition operations. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 17 And vice versa, redoing a user action results in the addition of one or several pending operations. Depending on your situation, undoing an action may cancel a pending operation or undo changes of an existing operation (see 2.4.5 «Modifying pending operations»). Similar, redoing an action might add a pending operation to the list again or redo a change of a pending operation parameter. You can undo user actions one at a time or all at once by selecting Operations Undo All. Similarly, you can redo user actions (along with the corresponding graphical representation of partition reconfiguration) one-by-one or all at once by selecting Operations Redo All. 2.4.7 Wizard operations Pending partition operations, created by Acronis PartitionExpert wizards, differ in that a user must provide a list of operation parameters to perform it. Each parameter is entered on a separate wizard page. Entering operation parameters, you change wizard pages using Back and Next buttons until you reach the Preview page with the Finish button. In the Preview wizard page you can click Back to return and change any operation parameters. After clicking Finish on the last wizard page: · · New partition structure is PartitionExpert main window, graphically represented in Acronis Wizard creates a list of pending operations; you can see it by selecting Operations Show. 18 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work Remember that no actions are performed on your disks when the wizard finishes working! If you are sure that the new structure is suitable, select Operations Commit or click Commit Pending operations, wizard-created pending operations will then be actually performed. Before you select Operations Commit or click Commit Pending operations, you can undo your actions (calling a wizard) and wizard-created pending operations in the usual way (selecting Operations Undo or pressing Ctrl+Z) or clicking Undo Last Action. Acronis PartitionExpert shows the wizard and its results as a user action by creating the list of operations. Any pending actions can be fully undone by any of mentioned methods, i.e. pressing Undo Last Action will undo a user action and all operations, planned by the wizard. 2.5 Protecting Acronis PartitionExpert With A Password When using Acronis PartitionExpert on a PC you should always be aware of possible unauthorized access to your data. To protect your hard disk, partition, applications and data, Acronis PartitionExpert provides password protection. Copyright © SWsoft, 2000­2002 19 If you need to protect Acronis PartitionExpert with a password 1. 2. Select Disk Set Password, Enter a password in the New Password and Confirm New Password fields in the Set Password window, 3. Click OK to enable password protection. After you run the program, you'll be prompted to enter a password in the Password Protected window: If you enter a wrong password, you'll be asked to re-enter it. Clicking Cancel will close the program. If you need to change password: 1. 2. Select Disk Set Password, Enter the old password in the Old Password field and the new password in the New Password and Confirm New Password fields in the Set Password window, Click OK to enable password protection. 3. Please Note: If you protected Acronis PartitionExpert with a password and forgot it, you will have to uninstall PartitionExpert by selecting Programs Acronis PartitionExpert Uninstall Acronis PartitionExpert, and install it again! 20 Chapter 2 : Beginning The Work