GParted

frequently use is GParted.  GParted is a very popular Linux utility that is very similar to Symantec’s Partition Magic.  You can find this utility bundled with several other computer maintenance utilities on Linux Live CDs.  When [...]]]> Open Source free partitioning software programs can make life so much easier.  One of the best ones that I

GParted

frequently use is GParted.  GParted is a very popular Linux utility that is very similar to Symantec’s Partition Magic.  You can find this utility bundled with several other computer maintenance utilities on Linux Live CDs.  When you use a Live CD to boot your computer you are operating the computer from the CD and not the hard drive.  This allows you to perform any operation on the hard drive.  You can partition the hard drive, re-size current partitions, and also create new ones without destroying the contents of the drive.  Some of the bundled utilities will allow you to correct MBRs, partition tables, and also recover deleted or lost file files.  This is a must have utility for the computer tech.

I use GParted to setup computer hard drives with extended partitions that I use for storing data, files, and backup images.  This allows me to quickly recover from failed, corrupted, or infected hard drives quickly.  When I first install the operating system and get it configured with all my need applications, service packs, and security patches and then I create a backup image and store it on my second partition.  Now when Windows decides to die, either from a virus or other corruption, I can use the image to restore the primary partition where just the Windows operating system resides.  Data, files, and backups are safely stored on the extended partition.  Viruses usual only target active operating systems and not data or files.  By having the image on a second partition you can quickly and easily restore your computer in a few minutes.  This saves huge amounts of time when you have no other recourse but reinstall the operating system.

I use this procedure to daily maintain 35 lab computers where the students have complete admin rights for performing their lab assignments.  By having computer admin rights the students can completely wipe out the operating system (which they sometimes do either intentionally or unintentionally).  My down time for any one computer has been less than 15 minutes for the last three years.  So you can see this system works very well and only takes me about 15 minutes total to restore all 35 computers so that the students have a fresh and highly optimized computer each day.

The Fixmbr website has additional information that you might find useful.