http://partimage.org/
Quote:
Partition Image is a Linux/UNIX utility which saves partitions in many formats (see below) to an image file. The image file can be compressed in the GZIP/BZIP2 formats to save disk space, and split into multiple files to be copied on removable floppies (ZIP for example), ... Partitions can be saved across the network since version 0.6.0.
Partition Image will only copy data from the used portions of the partition. For speed and efficiency, free blocks are not written to the image file. This is unlike the 'dd' command, which also copies empty blocks. Partition Image also works for large, very full partitions. For example, a full 1 GB partition can be compressed with gzip down to 400MB.
I use this on all my Windows boxes, Slackware Linux boxes. I've never had to use it yet with the *BSD machines.
You can use this to save your partition to an image file, even across the nework, which means your machine you plan to back up to must be running the
partimaged server.
Then load this
partimage Live-CD, and add the necessary IP info to the box after booting, which is usually just adding IP/subnet and gateway info (if needed).
Select the partition to backup, set options, and connect to the ip address of the server box.
It should only take a few minutes to copy the partition across the network. then you can resize the partition, and restore from the image.
Which would require booting once more on the Live-CD, adding the ip/subnet info, selecting the partition to restore, and the ip of the server and the directory where the partition was saved.
You will also need to download the program to install on the server box. Or run both boxes from the CD (not tested by myself.)
Also. you can just back up to a seperate partition on the same machine if you do not have a second box. if you have enough space on the Windows Partition, just backup to that drive.
It saves the backup as a image file.
I've been using this sucessfully for a few years now.
Look on the site for more info. This program works well.
Also contained on the Live-CD is a partition resizing tool.
qt_parted which might be something you can use too, just to adjust the size of the partition without the image creation steps, which is really just used when backing up data. It is just like PowerQuests Partition Magic, except that PM costs and pated is free, Both tools are free.