Disk Image.. Bootcamp'd -> BIOS PC? (and other ??)

[nikki-k]

Hi!
Getting ready to build my new computer (i7 920) this week (hopefully), and I currently have XP bootcamp'd on my Mac Pro.

Should I simply create a disk image, and then "restore" it to the new machine? Would it even work? Or am I better off simply starting from scratch? (using a single 500G 7200rpm SATA internal multi-part'd for OS's/apps)

Also, I am going to be using the machine for music (primary), but also for (limited) gaming. And, I will be running XP32 and W7x64 RC (for now). Are multiple profiles (logons; one gaming, one music) sufficient for a single partition/install (of either OS)? Or should I do multiple installs of any and all OS's I decide to utilize for each task? (think of installing Ubuntu Linux distro to finally get some quality Linux time).

Best (free?) disk/partition image utilities?
I am undecided on what disk image software to use still.. been a few years away from Windows, and I have found several free ones that look decent: Drive Image XML, IMG Burn, and Clonezilla (leaning toward Clonezilla via USB stick.. pros/cons?)

Also.. bootmanager: BootIt looks cool.. sort of Ghost plus PartitionMagic. Partition Logic looks cool for a freebie.. suggestions?

Suggestions in general for this mess? (I can only afford one machine, and am disabled and spend A LOT of time stuck at home)

Sorry- just realized a simple question turned into a novel and more questions than a little kid on a sugar OD... as usual (sigh)...

[D]

Hi!
Getting ready to build my new computer (i7 920) this week (hopefully), and I currently have XP bootcamp'd on my Mac Pro.

Should I simply create a disk image, and then "restore" it to the new machine? Would it even work?

It should. I've never tried that, as I stay as far away from Macs as possible, but if bootcamp is emulating a real NTFS boot partition, there's no reason it shouldn't work.


Also, I am going to be using the machine for music (primary), but also for (limited) gaming. And, I will be running XP32 and W7x64 RC (for now). Are multiple profiles (logons; one gaming, one music) sufficient for a single partition/install (of either OS)?

Profiles are more or less useless for what you're doing. It was a half thought out idea to begin with, so I wouldn't waste time with that.

I game on my DAW also. Not that I can't just put together a machine for that purpose alone, but I like being able to do everything on my lovely 30" Dell widescreen display. Warning: some games are not playing nicely with Vista64, and I don't know if they'd fare any better on Win7. If you have XP32, you might want to consider making a triple boot system and use xp32 for games.

I'm using the Gigabyte 1 GB 4850 based silent graphics card, and it's great with all games I've used it on. They also have an nVidia solution if you feel more comfortable with them or prefer one of their chipsets.


should I do multiple installs of any and all OS's I decide to utilize for each task? (think of installing Ubuntu Linux distro to finally get some quality Linux time).

I think you're already well past the 500 GB single drive system. A word on drives: Seagate has become a bit flaky as of late with their offerings. If you're going with WD drives, get the Caviar Black series. The blue is for regular duty, and the green is for eco-duty and definitely not suitable for a DAW. The black series is made for servers and workstations, so those are the ones you want. If you're shopping at Fry's in Wilsonville, they may not have everything in stock from my experience with them and the sales guys are usually just gamers and have no idea about DAWs, in which case just order from Newegg.


Best (free?) disk/partition image utilities?
I am undecided on what disk image software to use still.. been a few years away from Windows, and I have found several free ones that look decent: Drive Image XML, IMG Burn, and Clonezilla (leaning toward Clonezilla via USB stick.. pros/cons?)

I can't give you a recommendation on those listed. I use Acronis True Image and it has worked well for me.

As far as a boot manager, I don't use a third party one. I find the one built into the Windows variants is acceptable for many applications. It may not suit your personal needs, however. Some people want to have certain partitions hidden from other OS, some of us find it more useful to have full access from all OS. The Guru will surely chime in on this option.

Hope that helps.

[paulwr]

I'll put up another 'Acronis' recommendation. Some of the best audio computer makers use it as well, plus supply a copy with their new machines.

Save my butt numerous times!!!

-Paul

[nikki-k]

Cool thx!
Yeah, I figured I would likely end up with XP32 on two partitions (one game, one music), and then w7x64 RC on a third to use as a "lab" for things until the actual release is out. I missed out on grabbing the W7x86 download cutoff, but am curious how it would do vs XP32. W7x64 for music would be nice for composing for me in the long run I think, but time will tell..

Acronis was my first choice there ($35 with coupon now I think), but since i have a few days, i might try one or two others just to see how they do.

The boot manager... (sigh).. since Vista/W7 are a new breed (for me) over XP and earlier, I was unsure of how they would all get along. With W7 release just over a month away (Oct 22?), I figured on skipping Vista entirely. But.. it seems that if I grab an OEM Vista now with a free upgrade to W7 coupon, it comes out cheaper.

I wanna go play with BASIC on a TRS80, and then record some tracks on an old Tascam TSR-8 1/4" now... hehehehe...

[fishtank]

Another vote for Acronis - it is definitely well worth the little amount of money that it costs, and is great for backup (including incremental backups) of your audio files as well as for creating an image of your OS.

I would advise against making an image of you bootcamp'd XP install and using it for your new i7 build - the hardware is different and a fresh install is probably in order. Windows may figure out the new hardware it is sitting on, but I wouldn't even consider trying this myself as I would be looking for the cleanest, most efficient and trouble free system for my DAW, and a fresh install of the OS and all the drivers etc. should be the best way to go.

Good luck with the new i7 build!

[nikki-k]

Hehehe.. yeah, realized the "wrongness" of imaging any OS after driver installs for the purpose of a "starting point" image. Doing an image of the fresh XP install, and then a second one after updates, drivers, etc.

I am going to give Clonezilla a run. I made boot CD and boot USB stick versions. Curious to see how it does. System is built.. I will NEVER do that again. Being a paraplegic with further disabilities? Simply asking for trouble. Wish I had the money to have simply given Scott a call and purchased a nice ADK i7 920 system. I had a help, but it was a horrible experience. I cannot believe how different it is now compared to the builds I did before being in the chair...

[paulwr]

If you can get a copy of W7 from someone, MS will continue giving out the keys, and I think until next year sometime if I'm not mistaken. I remember being surprised by that.

-Paul