Ouch! Partition Magic and Drive Image are $70US each! Any good alternatives that don't cost as much? Edit: If we can get 10 ppl group buy, PM and DI

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71
Ouchies...
I'm trying to set up a grand partitioning scheme using variuos file systems and so far have been using FDISK and the Linux equivilant..they work but it would be nice to have a single program to do it all (Linux's won't format non-linux partitions)

Also once I have a nice clean install set up I want to image my drive to CDRs so I can do a quick and easy restore (of Win98SE at least, Linux I don't re-install and maybe not WinNT either, but Win98SE needs it) but darn! $70/each for those two doesn't seem worth it..

Norton Ghost is probably better than Drive Image and it's about the same price...anyone know of any good partitioning and drive mirroring software that doesn't cost so much?

Edit: updated title.
Vi_edit can get 10 licensed for Partition Magic and Drive Image for $30 for the pair, if you are intersted message him. We need 5 or 6 more :)

Sorry for the half OT, but it started off a general hard drive paritioning question ;) and this offer came out if it.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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I just talked to my software rep the other day, and I can get 10 licenses of Drive Image Pro which comes w/ BOTH Drive image and Partition magic for around $220.

If we could get a bulk buy going one, maybe we could all come out ahead :)
 

Kwad Guy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
3,478
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0
Hot damn!

If you can get Drive Image Pro 4 (which includes Partition Magic
Pro which itself has some nice features not in Partition Magic
Standard, i.e. disc "thrashing") for $22, well, friend, that
is one STEAMING hot deal. Count me in!

(But make sure it's really DI Pro 4 WITH PI Pro 6).

Kwad
 

NatBone

Junior Member
Mar 11, 2000
23
0
0
I have a related question. I'm running Win98 now, and I have Partition Magic, but it's an older copy. It says it doesn't support Win2K. I just picked up a copy of Win2k and I want to install it, but I also balked when I went to PMs site and saw the $70 price tag. I guess my question is, can I install Win2k on a FAT32 partition and have it run ok?

Nat
 

Nessism

Golden Member
Dec 2, 1999
1,619
1
81
Natbone,
you can install PM in Win98 and make a FAT32 partition for Win2K. You won't be able to modify your partitions from Win2k but that is not such a problem.
 

eyor

Banned
Feb 7, 2000
1,641
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0
Are there any freeware partition programs that let you alter the partitions on an already in use drive without damaging data currently on it?
 

PCAddict

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 1999
3,804
0
0
A Powerquest rep gave me a free copy of Drive Image the other day. :) I haven't done anything with it yet though. It'll come in handy though. I have to do some drive-swapping soon.
 

Shockwave

Banned
Sep 16, 2000
9,059
0
0
Provided the license agreement lets me (I'll hafta check) I can send you the files needed for the PM 5.0 rescue disk, which is all I use. I dont use the installed version, I just create a rescue disk. It requires two (2) floppy disks.
 

sciencewhiz

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
5,885
8
81
eyor,

Check out Fumiup's link. It isn't as easy to use as PM, but for me, it has done the job well. I have never had a problem with it.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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Ok, I've got several people interested in Drive Image Pro. I'll contact my rep today to verify versions and whatnot.

If I can get 10 people to go in on this with me(I think I have 4 or so already) I'll put an order in.

I need to talk to him first though, when they say 10 licenses, I don't know if that means 1 CD and 10 pieces of paper saying you can install it in ten places, or, if it means that you get ten seperate pieces of media.

If It includes one piece of media, then I'll burn a copy of it and include the license for everyone.

Got to check into it.

If everything sounds good, I'll probably ask for around $28-$30 per person for it. That's basically $22 + 1.70 tax, another $3.55 for shipping, money for media, and then a buck or two for my time placing the order and shipping it out.

Sound good?

Anybody else interested in buying, please PM me.

Check back to this thread later this afternoon.

BTW, I have heatware evals here: http://heatware.elitehardware.com/view.shtml?action=list&option=vi_edit
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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Cut and paste from the Powerquest sales rep
------------------------------

Product: Drive Image Pro 4.0
Why to Buy: Powerful cloning tools for deploying and upgrading computer systems.
Positioning Statement: Drive Image Pro provides powerful cloning and deployment tools for PowerQuest?s complete line of data management products.

System Requirements
Processor: Intel 486DX or higher
RAM: 16 MB RAM (32 MB for FAT32 or hard disks larger than 4 GB)
Hard Disk Space: 16.5 MB free hard-disk space
Operating System: Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 Workstation, Millennium, 2000 Professional, or DOS (5.0 or later)
Video: VGA or Higher video support
Removable Media: 3.5? diskette and CD-ROM

Key Features (ranked in order):
New! CD-R and CD-R/W Support - Ability to create an image directly to a SCSI or ATAPI CD-R or CD-R/W drive (MMC-2 compliant).
New! (Native 32-bit Windows) PowerCast Server - Uses SmartSector® technology combined with TCP/IP multi-casting to simultaneously deploy systems across the enterprise in minutes. (The words Native 32-bit Windows will be added once the native feature is ready to ship.)
New! TaskBuilder - Provides an easy-to-use interface to build custom deployment scripts for use with any framework.
New! Operating System Support - Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 Workstation, Millennium, 2000 Professional, or DOS (5.0 or later).
SmartSector® - Copy only the sectors containing data, which dramatically reduces creation and restoration times and ensures that disk space is not wasted cloning empty sectors.
Exact Imaging - Preserves optimizations by creating and restoring an exact image. This not only ensures that all your programs, including copy protected programs, will work properly, but that all your Windows performance enhancements will also be preserved.
PartitionMagic® Pro - Drive Image Pro includes the world's best partition management solution-allowing you to create, resize, move or convert partitions before or after deployment.
DeltaDeploy? - Manage changing desktop environments from a central location, and distribute software updates and changes across the network and Internet.
New! PQPrep - A simple interface for creating, editing and testing Microsoft SysPrep answer files and for creating an image for deployment.
SIDchanger - Reassigns a new unique security identification (SID) for imaging NT workstations.
New! NTFS Support - Ability to create/restore an image directly to/from an NTFS partition.
Fast Image Compression - Saves valuable disk and network space, while significantly reducing the time required to create and restore images over a network.
Enhanced support for removable media - Support for JAZ® and Zip® drives.
Multiple storage options - Stores data on many types of media, including network drives, hard drives and removable media.
New! Microsoft RIS Support - Supports Microsoft RIS technology for installing or replacing an operating system.
Command Line Scripting - A hands-free approach to automate the entire Windows deployment or cloning process.
Removable media spanning - Stores images across multiple CD-R/W, Zip® and JAZ® disks or specifies the image file size for your custom spanning needs.
Long file names - Recognizes and handles long file names in Windows.
Wizard-driven interface - Lets you perform various tasks with ease using the interactive, step-by-step guides.
Selective file restore - Allows you to view individual files within an image and select which ones to restore.
Shrink on-the-fly - Automatically resizes FAT, FAT32 and NTFS partitions to fit within a smaller hard drive.
Partition resize options - Resizes the partition while copying to the destination drive.
Image file comments - Provides detailed comments about each image file.
Selective partition restore - Restores individual partitions without destroying existing partitions on the drive.
Hide/unhide partitions - Gives you the option of storing an exact backup of the existing operating system and application partitions on a second drive without causing drive-letter conflicts.
ImageShield? - Provides password protection and encryption for enhanced data security.
New! Image Creation Scheduling - Lets you decide how often you want to be reminded to create an image.
Disk integrity and bad sector checking - Check for bad sectors and file system errors prior to creating an image for an extra level of protection.
New! Image Integrity Checker - Verifies an image file is not corrupt.
New! Bootable PQI CD - Easy process to create a bootable recovery CD of your computer that can be used for disaster recovery.
Image File Editor - New Explorer-like interface for viewing image files and restoring individual files/folders from an image. Lets you selectively copy partitions to create a new customized image.
New! Image Size Estimator - Estimates the image size and suggests how many units of selected media will be required prior to cloning.
File System Support - Supports FAT, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS 5.0, HPFS, Linux ext2, and Linux swap partitions.
New! BootDisk Builder - This redesigned utility dramatically simplifies the process of creating a network boot diskette, by automatically configuring and loading the appropriate network drivers.
Create and format partitions - Creates and formats partitions automatically. (Part of Partition Magic Pro)
BootMagic® - Lets you easily run multiple operating systems on the same machine without compatibility problems. (Part of Partition Magic Pro)
DriveMapper? - Updates drive-letter assignments that may have changed during the imaging restoration process. (Part of Partition Magic Pro)
Windows look and feel - Duplicates the graphical look and feel of a Windows application for comfortable operation.
Full mouse support - Supports your mouse for simple and easy use.

Key Phrases
Drive Image Pro 4.0 deploys systems across the network in just minutes!
Drive Image Pro simplifies the backup process by writing the image directly to CD-R or CD-R/W.
Drive Image Pro allows you to choose the media that best suits your needs: hard drives, network drives, or removable media such as Jaz, Zip and CD-R/W drives.
Drive Image Pro 4.0 and PowerQuest Migration Manager provide a complete solution for deploying and managing systems.
Drive Image Pro includes Delta Deploy, which simplifies the process of upgrading software packages.
Drive Image Pro will estimate the size of the image file to make sure that there is an adequate amount of disk space or removable media for the backup. Drive Image Pro can even span images across multiple Jaz, Zip or CD-R/W disks, if needed.
Drive Image Pro utilizes PowerQuest?s SmartSector® technology to copy only the sectors containing data. This dramatically reduces creation and restoration times and ensures that disk space is not wasted cloning empty sectors.
Drive Image Pro lets you relax knowing that your data is safe and secure.
Wizard-driven interfaces make Drive Image Pro simple to use.
Drive Image Pro makes backing up the entire hard disk, including the operating system, applications and data, a simple process.
Drive Image Pro makes quick work of the time-consuming processes of backing up and upgrading larger hard drives.
Drive Image Pro 4.0 supports Microsoft RIS technology for installing or replacing an operating system.
No frustration. No missing drivers or partitions. No problems. Just a click of a button and systems are deployed in a matter of minutes.
No irritations. No missing preferences, partitions or passwords. No problems. Just a click of a button and your computer is restored to its exact state before the crash.
Even newer operating systems, such as Windows Millennium and Windows 2000 Professional, can be cloned with Drive Image Pro.
Create an exact copy of your entire hard disk or just the partitions you specify.
Drive Image Pro can restore the entire disk or just an individual file, saving you time and trouble.
Drive Image Pro 4.0 reliably creates and stores images of an entire hard disk or individual partitions until they are needed.
Drive Image Pro contains all the tools needed to effortlessly safeguard and upgrade a computer hard disk.
For added protection, image files can be password protected with Drive Image Pro?s ImageShield.
Drive Image Pro provides the option of storing an exact copy of the existing operating system and application partitions on a second drive without causing drive-letter conflicts.
With Drive Image Pro, it is possible to restore individual partitions without destroying any existing partitions.
Drive Image Pro checks and double-checks an image to give you complete peace of mind. From checking for bad sectors and file system errors on the disk to checking the integrity of the image, Drive Image verifies that the image will be ready when you need it.
Drive Image Pro offers command line scripting for a hands-free approach to automating the entire Windows deployment or cloning process.
Drive Image can create a bootable disk to help restore a hard disk in the event of a disaster.
The Image File Editor has been updated, making it even easier to view an image and select the needed files or partitions.
Simultaneously deploy systems across the network in just minutes!
Drive Image Pro preserves any Windows optimizations and saves you time.
Drive Image Pro simplifies the work of upgrading and configuring existing workstations.
Whether you're deploying new PCs, upgrading existing hard disks, or distributing software updates, Drive Image Pro is the best solution to help you manage your changing desktop environment.
Build custom deployment scripts for use in any framework with Drive Image Pro?s TaskBuilder.
PQPrep makes it easy to prepare for deployment by providing a simple interface for creating, editing and testing Microsoft SysPrep answer files and creating the image to be deployed.
PowerQuest's unique SmartSector® technology dramatically speeds up the Windows deployment process while preserving Windows performance enhancements.
Combined with TCP/IP multicasting, SmartSector imaging makes it easy to PowerCast? a single image over a network and simultaneously configure hundreds of systems in just minutes!
Drive Image Pro saves time in configuring multiple systems, simplifying the deployment and restoration processes.
Drive Image Pro 4.0 dramatically reduces the time it takes to rollout or upgrade multiple systems.
Drive Image Pro?s powerful tools make it easy to create and deploy an exact image of a hard disk, distribute new software applications, and manage multiple images.
Drive Image Pro includes PartitionMagic Professional, PowerQuest?s most powerful partition management software.
Drive Image Pro 4.0 - Easily create and deploy images to manage changing computer systems.
The interactive step-by-step guides simplify the deployment process.
Drive Image Pro provides a flexible array of deployment options to meet your varying needs.
Drive Image Pro makes cloning the entire hard disk, including the operating system, applications and data, a simple process.
Drive Image Pro provides all the features needed to clone or upgrade a hard disk.
Drive Image Pro makes quick work of the time-consuming process of backup and upgrade of larger hard disks.
Drive Image Pro gives you the flexibility to clone an entire hard disk or specific partitions, whether they include the operating system, applications or data.

------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds pretty cool to me :)
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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Just talked to the sales rep, the 10 pack bundle only comes with one CD and 10 license papers.

So, as long as everyone is comfortable receiving a burned copy w/ a LEGIT license, then I think we're in business.

The cut 'n paste below should tell you all you need to know about the software.

Or, you can look here as well: DIP at Powerquest website

Also, hopefully nobody will mind too much, but I will probably ask for $$ up front since it's Christmas time and I don't have $250+ laying around :)

If everyone interested would email/PM me, I'll give you my work address and phone number. You can send a MO to that addy.

If I can get all $$ in by the middle of next week, I'll go ahead and place the order then.
 

Piecia

Junior Member
Nov 10, 2000
22
0
0
Damn...you're buying legal soft there in US?? Here in Poland all of theese costs only 3$ (+CD)....i'm really proud that my govt can't stop piracy :p
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
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Got 5 people interested so far...

1) Me
2) Randy PJ
3) Kwad
4) Noriaki
5) Nexialist

Sir Fredrick #6 ?
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71
Piecia:
This started off at first as a sale I was making, so I didn't want to include pirated software in a sale. personal piracy is one thing, distribution is quite another, I could very easily lose my business license, and that thing saves me piles of money on computer parts ;)
But actually as it turns out, the guy I'm selling to doens't want PM anymore...he's dropped his grand idea of Win98SE/2000/Linux. He's not a gamer and he has a Solaris box sitting in his basement. So he's just going 2000.

But as for myself, I have had more pirated software in the last 3 years than I know what to do with. This is not a legal fear in any way. I in fact have had PM and DI in the past, and I simply feel that they are good products worth buying. My choosing to take this opportunity to buy PM and DI is completely personal choice. I could get them without paying if I wanted to. Being a programmer myself I respect the effort put into software design. I one day hope to become a programmer on a large scale and produce a product worthy of selling. I hope that people will recognize the effort and feel it worthwhile to pay me for my work. And as such I feel that they deserve to be paid for their effort.

This is an excellent chance to get DIPro at a very good price, but still I'm paying the company for their work at a price they decided is acceptable for their work. As I said, a personal choice. You don't have to agree with me if you don't want to.

Believe it or not, every MP3 I have I own the CDs for, in many cases I had the Mp3s first and decided to buy the CD later, and if I didn't think it was worth the money I deleted the MP3 within about a week. Same story for games, I have a CDR of Rune that I've been playing for 2-3 weeks, I think it's a great game and last friday after work I went out and bought it. It's just my personal choice on how I do things. There is no reason you should agree with me, we are all free to choose for ourselves. :)