move System Restore to other disk

[EugeneSSS]

Need advice…
I have currently two hard drives in PC.
Disk 1 has C: with Windows XP (NTFS) and D: with System Restore (FAT32)
Disk 2 has F: with data (NTFS).
Driver C: is almost full and I would like to move System Restore to Disk 2.
My plan is to create new partition on Disk 2 (say N: FAT32) using Partition Magic 8.
Then copy all System Restore data there and delete D partition on the disc 1.
Use DiskManagement to rename N to D on the disk 2.
Will it work or are there other suggestions?

Thank you,
Eugene

[mjc]

Maybe...

A few more specifics about your machine...make/model, etc...

[Paul Komski]

... are there other suggestions?
System Restore is an inexact tool and resource hog. I would suggest learning how to use partition imaging as a rock solid way of making snapshots of your system.

[EugeneSSS]

It is Compaq Presario 5400US, second HD was added...

Paul, could you add couple words about partition imaging - does it mean to image all together (C: and D) on disk 2 and change master/slave settingth on HDs? What software can be recommended to do it?

Another radical option to free space on C drive is to delete D: System Restore at all. Then create new System Restore but now on Disk 2 ? Will it work ? (sorry if it is naive proposal)

[Paul Komski]

There are loads of imaging programs (http://paulski.com/zpages.php?id=1917) my own favourite being ImageForDOS. The image files can be stored on any type of medium though a removable (or fixed) hard drive does have a number of advantages in terms of speed and checking and for accessing for restoration (complete or individual files/folders).

The system restore partition on your current hard drive could be an image file of that type or not but we don't have full information about your system though Compaqs typically use a proprietary Factory Restore which can be initiated from Windows or a boot medium. If you move the partition I have my doubts if the Compaq software will find it.

What file/files are on that fat partition?

In any case if you make your own image of the restore partition it can always be restored to allow you to restore your system using it. Alternatively make an image of your system partition and you can go back to this moment in time.

[Sylvander]

The Seagate Disk Wizard (http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=DiscWizard&vgnextoid=d9fd4a3cdde5c010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD ) is a FREE rebranded copy of "Acronis True Image" [version 10 I think].
Was got to from "Get a Free Copy of Acronis True Image" (http://blogs.bnet.com/businesstips/?p=136).
You can run it within Windows, or more importantly...
Use the program to make a bootable Recovery CD.
That can make and restore images from outside of Windows.

Not sure whether you must have a Seagate/Maxtor HDD in use during operations for the program to work.
Give it a try.
My copy worked really well, but then I have 2 Maxtor HDD's; the internal being imaged, an external USB connected drive holding the image backup files.

[EugeneSSS]

Ok, it looks as I got it...
I did implement initial plan: "create new partition on Disk 2 (say N: FAT32) using Partition Magic 8.Then copy all System Restore data there and delete D partition on the disk 1. Use DiskManagement to rename N to D on the disk 2."
System Restor is still workable in new location !
Thanks All for suggestions and discussion.