Does F.A.S.T. Wizard duplicate existing files or prompt for action

[Barry_M]

The system partition on my standalone computer is too small, so I must
repartion and reformat the drive before reinstalling Windows XP Professional
SP3. I plan to use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to backup and restore
my files and settings, but the tool is flawed inasmuch as it does not allow
for drives or folders, apart from seven specified folders, to be excluded
from the collection phase of the process. There are three IDE hard drives in
my system, plus an external USB hard drive on which I shall locate the
F.A.S.T. Wizard archive. I have moved as much data as possible from the USB
drive to the two IDE drives, which I will detach from the system before using
the wizard, but about 200 GB remains.

What I am asking is what happens during the restoration phase when the
F.A.S.T. Wizard comes to a files that already exists: does it duplicate the
file, prompt the user for action, or simply bypass that file?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

The system partition on my standalone computer is too small, so I
must repartion and reformat the drive before reinstalling Windows
XP Professional SP3. I plan to use Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard to backup and restore my files and settings, but the tool is
flawed inasmuch as it does not allow for drives or folders, apart
from seven specified folders, to be excluded from the collection
phase of the process. There are three IDE hard drives in my system,
plus an external USB hard drive on which I shall locate the
F.A.S.T. Wizard archive. I have moved as much data as possible from
the USB drive to the two IDE drives, which I will detach from the
system before using the wizard, but about 200 GB remains.

What I am asking is what happens during the restoration phase when
the F.A.S.T. Wizard comes to a files that already exists: does it
duplicate the file, prompt the user for action, or simply bypass
that file?

If your applications are fairly new - you won't get much benefit out of the
F.A.S.T. wizard anyway - I would just start with a new profile and use your
backup (maybe image of the entire old system) to copy the
files/bookmarks/email/contacts/etc to your new machine.

 

[HeyBub]

The system partition on my standalone computer is too small, so I must
repartion and reformat the drive before reinstalling Windows XP
Professional SP3.

No you don't. There are products - some free - that can move partition
boundaries. Save yourself some time, grief, and opportunities for ghastly
mistakes by investigating them.

 

[Barry_M]

Thanks for your advice, but I am confused. Why would I not get much benefit
from the F.A.S.T. Wizard? I am also unsure what you meean by starting with a
new profile. I do not have a backup image to restore media
files/documents/favorites/email etc. to my machine once it has been
reformatted and OS reinstalled, as you suggest. But as far as I can see, that
is pretty much what the F.A.S.T. Wizard does, in a somewhat selective and
compressed form. On the other hand, since I previously relocated data files
such as My Documents, email store folder, Favorites etc. onto other drives,
and I have backed up all other data files on the one data partition on the
same drive as my system partition, then would it perhaps be better to use the
F.A.S.T. Wizard to transfer just settings instead of files and settings? Then
the question of duplicating existing files does not arise.

 

[Barry_M]

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded a free application called EASEUS Partition
Master 3.5 Home Edition and attempted to move the boundary of my system
partition by 10GB. However, while the adjacent partition did shrink by 10GB,
extension of the system partition failed with an error: "Failed to complete
the batch operations!
Message(4101):failed to quarantine system partition.
You could reboot your system and try again!
Press any key to reboot." After restarting the following error message
appeared: "Windows could not load the installer for Volume. Contact your
hardware vendor for assistance."
Perhaps there is something wrong with my system. I think this time I will
stick to my Windows installation disc, which is reliable and straightforward,
but in a similar situation in future I would give third party software
another try.