I am using VPC 2004, and over time the image files are getting enormous! What can I do about it?

The first thing I would mention is that VPC 2004 SP1 has just come out, so start by installing that. But, this won’t fix the issue of the image filesize being large. To fix that problem, follow these instructions (taken from: http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/vpcfaq/VPCFAQ5-GeneralTipsandTri.html .

1. Download Eraser, (http://www.tolvanen.com/eraser/) and install it in the guest OS. Alternative disk 'zeroing' software can also be used.
2. Defragment the guest OS hard drive.
3. Backup any critical data in the guest OS.
4. Run Eraser in the guest OS.
5. Click Edit, then Preferences, then Erasing
6. Select Unused Disk Space
7. Select New
8. Enter the description Blank
9. Click Add
10. Create a 3-byte pattern of zeros
11. Click Save
12. Select Blank under Unused disk space
13. Click OK.
14. Click File, then New Task
15. Select Unused space on drive
16. Select Local Hard Drives
17. Click OK
18. Select Task, then Run on the previously created task
19. Wait for completion
20. Close the report
21. Exit Eraser and shutdown the guest PC.
22. Use Virtual Disk Wizard on the Host PC to reclaim lost space. Click File, then Virtual Disk Wizard.
23. Click Next to start the wizard.
24. Select Examine or modify existing disk and click Next.
25. Click Browse to locate the disk image, double-click the image file and click Next to continue.
26. Select Compact the Disk image and click Next.
27. Virtual PC allows the use of a secondary file to compact the disk. It's a good idea to have the image file be compacted to a new file and then verified to prevent data loss or corruption of the original image file. Select New File, browse or enter a new location, click Next to continue.
28. Click Finish to start the process.
29. When finished, click Close.

Hope this helps.



Regards

Paul Eddington

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