Moving a large file from HDD

Hi all...

I am on an Acer 5920 running XP Pro SP 3.

I have this 5GB file (which is an acronis image file made by my machine reseller - the machine came with Linux but I chose to buy and install XP OEM through the reseller).

This file resides on my D drive. I was trying to copy it over to a mobile HDD that I have as a backup. THis mobile unit is a Freecom (160GB). There is about 33 GB of free space on this, which when connected to my machine shows itself as F:

But when trying to move the file I get an error message which says something to the effect that the target destination does not have enough space, please free up some space and then proceed.

Can you please tell me what's going on and what I am doing wrong?

To copy/ move the file I use the 'move/ copy this file' action.

Thanks in advance.

Note: Mods...I put this post here 'coz I did not know where else to put it, please move it if you think necessary. Thanks.

 

What file system on the external drive --> FAT32 or NTFS ??

If FAT32, in cmd --> "convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs"

 

Has the target HDD NTFS as filesystem, or FAT32 which does not support files larger than 2GB?
Have you run scandisk/checkdisk to correct possible failures on your target HDD?

 

Try Teracopy. I find it's less flaky than the standard Windows component. Faster too.

Also, of course make sure you have sufficient space for the file. Check out how big it reads under "Size on disk".

 

Have you formatted the external HD? I have seen that sometimes there is a problem with FAT32 since there is some size limit like 4GB or something... Try formatting it into NTFS....

Else you could also try using something like "TeraCopy"... and see if it works.

 

@ Andy: Well it has to be FAT 32 becoz I have transferred over 10 GB of other data as backup today. This particular file was the last file on the backup list. So, I don't know how this problem arises.

@FrankTabletUser: Yup did the scan disk run. No problems. Also as mentioned above have been transferring files all evening with no problem.

@Gregory: Thanks for that suggestion. I'll look it up now. But yes there is space - 33 GB on the Mobile HDD

@Fonduekid: ****! If I format the Mobile HDD, this means I have to transfer all the files back onto my machine and do that right? Arrgh! That would be a problem.

This brings up another question:

Should I just make a new image of the machine but this time save it on the mobile HDD. This way in case (god forbid) if I have problems with my machine I can boot off the mobile HDD?

Thanks folks for all your suggestions and help.

 

If it's FAT32 that's your problem. Go to NTFS. If you are reluctant to copy the files on there back, you can always resize the drive and format a newly created partition as NTFS.

Making a new image would be wise. I routinely make new images. Especially since any time you move a large file there is a (small) risk that some data may become corrupted along the way. So making a new image that resides on the drive you wish is an excellent plan.

 

@Gregory: Cool. Thanks. I think I will do as advised by you including making a new image. And, I think I better get into the habit of making images every couple of months or so! Should be OK don't you think?

 

I would still copy over that old image in the mean time. It never hurts to retain old backups, but can come in handy at times.

Personally I keep two copies of an image I created after a fresh install & adjusting the ways I prefer. Then I periodically revert the drive to the original image and install the new programs I like & Windows updates, drivers and such. Then make a new image w/ the new updates. I'd say I probably do it once a month.

It's a lot easier than clean installs .

 

Hmmm...the copying of the old image seems to be working. How very strange. I have not reformatted the mobile HDD or even converted to NTFS!! What program would you suggest for making bootable images - preferably free?!!!!

 

A bootable image? That I cannot say. The program I use is called PartImage, which can be downloaded with other useful tools on the 'System Recovery CD' here:

http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

The CD is bootable, and it reads accesses the image file when told to do so. It is a little of a pain to use, since it doesn't have much of a GUI & and requires you to manually mount the disk, but is free! .

 

Ummm...so is it possible to have a bootable image in the first place? I don't think what I am after is possible afterall...I found this thread... http://forum.notebookreview.com/archive/index.php/t-104293.html Got something to do with a BIOS restriction...oh well, in that case I'd have to put the image on a DVD. I just don't trust DVDs...so many of them have crapped out me!

 

Now when you say a bootable image, do you mean from a hard drive or from a DVD?

In both cases, yes, but you will need another program configured to access that image and perform the actions required to restore the drive. With PartImage, I've read it's possible to burn the image file to the same DVD and then have an all enclosed recovery disk. However I found that to be too much of a pain.

The reason I asked whether it is a hard dick or DVD you want to make bootable is that the restoration process of an image involves formatting the existing partition, then extracting the image to it. Much like how you download an ISO file, then burn it and it becomes bootable.

I believe Acronis has an option to make an all enclosed bootable recovery DVD, but I can't say for sure. If cheap so I just use free stuff .

 

Well...I was thinking of putting it on my mobile HDD which I carry with me al the time...so if disaster strikes, then I could use that. Knowing myself, I would probably misplace loose DVDs, which I have done 'n' number of times.

I guess I could partition the mobile HDD and then install the bootable image there - but from what I have been reading there is this BIOS problem which does not allow for booting from USB drives, which in effect is what the mobile HDD is. Or am I totally off track here?

 

If your BIOS doesn't support booting from USB then you won't be able to boot from the USB HDD.

If I were in your place, I would use the USB HDD to hold the image file. Then if & when disaster strikes, use the PartImage CD in conjunction with the USB HDD to restore the image to your laptops internal HDD.

The would require you to hold onto a copy of the cd, but just tape it to the USB HDD so you don't lose it . (In a case of course.)

 

Lol...yeah...i will keep the dvd stapled to one section of my laptop bag - this way I wont lose it! Thanks for all you help. Really appreciate it.

 

If you have any troubles just post again . I'll be around.

 

Thanks! Will do!