Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

General questions about HDDRIVER/Allgemeine Fragen zu HDDRIVER
mikro
Posts: 32
Joined: 18 May 2010, 10:09

Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by mikro »

Today I got an opportunity (and reason) to try the load/save image feature. It's a nice bonus to already great set of HD Driver features but in my use case, it is more complex than it needs to be: I wanted to make a 1:1 copy of a hard disk to a CF card. Both are going to have some unused space so I don't need to worry about the disk and card not being the same size.

However there was a problem -- as I was using only normal TOS (2.x) partition sizes, and all partitions were the same size, how can I save image which is the same size as the partition? Additionally, how can I even clone the disk, if I have "only" two disks there, one source and one destination?

Eventually I settled with connecting a THIRD device with bigger partition sizes but what if I didn't have such choice?

It would be much, much, much easier if I could just select source disk/partition, destination disk/partition and let it clone. I realize this poses a few challenges in the partition case (what to do if the destination partition isn't exactly the same size?) but I would settle for whole disk only, too.
uweseimet
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: 10 Jan 2010, 15:39

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by uweseimet »

I may be missing something, but isn't copying the complete drive (or just a part of it) with Drag&Drop in HDDRUTIL's device window what you need? This is existing functionality, this is why I am asking.
mikro
Posts: 32
Joined: 18 May 2010, 10:09

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by mikro »

Oh sh*t. :) Well, too late for me but good to know, thanks!

EDIT: just tried it. It's nice but that drag&drop code seems to be a bit... random? It really took me several efforts to drag the source drive, it nearly looks like that the "dragging hand" appears only if I move cursor why selecting the drive? IMHO it should appear as soon as I hold the mouse button?
uweseimet
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: 10 Jan 2010, 15:39

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by uweseimet »

It's always a good idea to consult the manual ;-). It's legal, by the way, to use the same drive as source and destination, in order to copy a range of sectors to another location on the same drive.
mikro
Posts: 32
Joined: 18 May 2010, 10:09

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by mikro »

Well, my manual is from the 7.x times ;-)
uweseimet
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: 10 Jan 2010, 15:39

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by uweseimet »

This is why I offer up to date manuals ;-). The overview of changes also lists this feature.
mikro
Posts: 32
Joined: 18 May 2010, 10:09

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by mikro »

Right, I should really invest that 12 Euros next time. :-)

Btw I have figured out the drag&drop bug, it seems that one has to first unselect the source drive, then go there with the cursor, push the mouse button and quickly move to the other device. Not a big issue but I think this could have caused some people to miss this great feature!
uweseimet
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: 10 Jan 2010, 15:39

Re: Feature idea: add clone to load/save images

Post by uweseimet »

Yes, the mouse cursor shape does not change when the source drive is already in selected state. I will have a look at that. But I can't see that you have to be particularly quick when moving the mouse.