THURSTON ACKERMAN wrote to KEN HRYNCHUK on 09-19-04 23:43:

 KH>Thanks, Terry; I've read conflicting reports re: Laplink being 8-bit.
 KH>Perhaps some versions were 4-bit only? Do you remember running across
 KH>any cable documentation in Laplink's docs?

 TA> The LapLink Everywhere Deluxe Gold I bought in Feb. 2003 requires
 TA> a Win 98 or higher; suggesting possible 16-bit.

I was referring to 'file transfer bits', not 'program code bits',
Thurston (to me, requiring Win98 would imply (but, not mandate) the use
of 32-bit program code).

 TA> (I didn't receive my upgrade rebate before they filed for Chap.11 8-(

Bummer. :(

 TA> I got "PC Relocator" last week that promises Win 9x,ME,NT,2000 or
 TA> XP. Any ideas for also transferring my SuSE 9.0 linux partition that
 TA> shares my Win 98se on the same 40 gHz HD when I install my new 80 gHz
 TA> hard drive some rainy day ???

I've successfully cloned Win9x drives using Norton Ghost 2002. Here's
what its docs say about Linux:

...
Norton Ghost can clone many different Linux distributions successfully.
However, Norton Ghost is sensitive to any possible changes in ext2 file
system and LILO specifications. If changes are made to these
specifications, Norton Ghost may no longer support the Linux
distribution. Symantec attempts to release new builds of Ghost promptly
to address such changes.

Norton Ghost is not sensitive to kernel versions. Use the -nolinux and
-nolilo command-line switches to resolve problems with any
incompatibilities. For more information, see "Command-line switches" on
page 75.

Norton Ghost clones any x86-based Linux system with full support for
ext2 file systems (type 0x83) containing 1 KB, 2 KB, or 4 KB block sizes.
Other file systems, for example, reiserfs, are cloned on a sector-by-sector
basis and cannot be resized during cloning.

Linux systems that use LILO as their boot loader in the MBR or in the
active ext2 partition are supported with some exceptions. Any references to
a disk other than the first hard disk in the system (/dev/hda or /dev/sda)
are not supported. The /boot and root file systems must be on the first hard
disk. /boot can be a directory within the root file system.

Norton Ghost supports type 0 and type 1 Linux swap file systems (type 0x82).

Norton Ghost partially supports Linux extended partitions (type 0x85).
It clones file systems inside these extended partitions, but restores them
as DOS extended partitions. This is not known to cause problems with Linux
systems after cloning.

Linux is sensitive to the position of the disk in hardware. A system
running on the primary master disk does not run if the disk is mounted as
the primary slave or as the secondary master. Norton Ghost does not resolve
this issue.

Norton Ghost uses the file /etc/lilo.conf to determine the boot
configuration. If this file does not match the boot configuration,
Norton Ghost may be unable to patch LILO during cloning. It does not
support the default keyword in Lilo.conf, so the first target specified
should be the default target.

If a different boot loader is used, for example, grub, or the above
conditions are not met, Norton Ghost clones the system but the new disk
probably won't boot afterwards. It should be started from a floppy disk
or CD, and the boot loader should be reinstalled by running /sbin/lilo or
an equivalent. Always have a boot disk available in case of problems
starting a Linux system after cloning.

Norton Ghost utility support:

Ghost Explorer substantially supports ext2 file systems within image
files, including the restoration, deletion, and addition of files within
these file systems. Problems arise when files are manipulated that have
names that are illegal on Windows. Ghost Explorer cannot manipulate device
files or symbolic links. Sparse files are expanded on restoration, and hard
links are broken.

GDisk does not create any Linux file systems, or recognize any
partitions within a Linux extended partition.
...

Note: Ghost Explorer is a 'Windows Explorer' type file manager for
Ghost Image files, and GDisk is Ghost's disk partitioning tool.

   Ken

 
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