Avanquest Partition Commander 10

Pros: Haven't used this version as of yet, however an earlier version that I purchased worked perfectly as long as you followed the on screen directions (You could work around the on screen activation). It also allowed me to add a Linux O/S behind Windows XP and Vista.

Cons: The only cons were that you needed to have XP installed first and after a few uses, the autorun directly from CD feature disabled itself and you had to install it directly to XP to use it.

Other Thoughts: As I now have Vista and Windows 7 installed I will be purchasing this product so that I can safely add Linux back on to my desktop; Sorry to all you die hard Windows users**.

Pros: A previous reviewer complained about the need to register this software over the Internet, but I'm assuming that's because they tried to install this software *inside* Windows. However, there's another way: boot directly to the CD!

When I need to partition drives, it's usually because I'm either building a new machine, or repairing one that has problems. In such scenarios, I would rather *not* be running the installed operating system. The fact that the Partition Commander CD is bootable (it can even create a boot floppy for use on older systems that can't boot to a CD) makes it far more useful, in my view.

Booted to the CD, it has two modes: a smooth Windows-like graphical interface, or a text-menu UI. It's easy to use, yet powerful and fast.

I haven't had the software long, but it's already helped me clone three PCs and repair a machine that had a corrupted MBR. In a short time, its worth is far more than I paid.

Cons: Can clone drive-to-drive, but can't save a clone image file (à la Ghost).

Other Thoughts: Partition Commander is a powerful tool to have in your toolbox. It does everything that Partition Magic can, plus features from Ghost and Norton Utilities -- all for less than any one of them.

Pros: Unfortunately I'm not able to find out. See cons...

Cons: The only way to activate this software (according to the manufacturer) is over the Internet. If, like me, you have a PC that is not connected to the Internet, then you cannot activate the software. Without activation the software doesn't work. You can almost do things...but not quite. The software will let you preview your changes before you make them permanent (good idea if it works). However, when you select to make your changes permanent you are told the changes cannot be made until the software is activated. Since I cannot activate my software...the software is (as far as I'm concerned) useless!

Other Thoughts: The manufacturer told me they "haven't yet got a workaround for activation on a PC that is not connected to the Internet." This sort of disclaimer needs to be on the package in plain sight.