Could I restore my system using an external backup of C: partition?

Hi,

I kept the 100GB HD from my previous laptop and bought an enclosure for it (USB) so that I could use it as a backup.

On my new laptop, the first partition on the drive (which contains Vista and program files) is approx that size, so I am thinking of using that old HD to backup my current C: partition in case of system failure.

I read of people doing multiple partitions so that they could quickly restore their system to a working state if there ever was a serious crash. My question is, would I be able to quickly restore my system after a crash if the C: partition (which contains the OS and programs) is backed up externally?

 

Sure, some software (ie. Acronis) save the current status of your PC so you can fully restore it later. However, any change after the storage was done will be lost. So i.e. I have my docs in one partition and the OS and progs in another. When I need to, I restore the later one, keeping the docs updated.

 

So you use Acronis instead of the built-in Vista "Backup and Restore" feature?

 

I'm an old fashion XP user. Not sure how that software works.

I had once a bad experience with Win98 though. I used the built-in back up system, but later that file storage system was not available in the new windows versions, so I lost my data. On the other hand, one may think that a "back up" specialized company would support in those cases. MS didn't.

 

I'm guessing I could just use the built in VIsta stuff or even do a Select All and Copy of the C: partition onto my external drive.... (?)

 

You could BUT, what will you do if the C: crash happens that you are trying to prepare for? If you use the built in Vista backup function, you would have to use Vista to restore. And now you have a classic catch 22. Vista isn't working because the C: partition is hosed and you need Vista to restore from your backup. What to do, what to do.

You are on the right track in thinking of keeping an image on the external drive. But you need to use software that can be booted from a CD if the C: partition has failed. Acronis is such an app. Once installed Acronis will let you create a bootable CD with Acronis on it. Personally I always boot from such a CD when I create my image. I do that for two reasons:
1. I know that the CD bootable software can see my external drive without a problem. Handy to know BEFORE an emergency occurs.
2. I do not trust any imaging software running from the OS partition I am imaging.

One last point alluded to in this thread. I keep my data on a separate partition, not C:. That way, if I need to restore from my external drive, I am not overwriting my data files only the programs and operating system.

Gary

 

Clone your C: partition onto the old drive, if the new drive fails just physically remove it, take your old drive out of the enclosure and pop it into your laptop. voila - back up and running. Acronis Easy Migrate does this easily (free trial version available), or if you have a Western Digital or Seagate drive, both those manufacturers have their own cloning software for free. An image is no good if your current drive physically fails, what are you supposed to restore the image onto?

 

Clone images are not just useful when the drive dies, they are also useful when the OS is hosed. I also use them when installing some software as a fall back if the software doesn't uninstall well.

Gary

 

1. Actually, Vista's Complete PC restore can be run from the Setup disk.

2. For years, Backup software on XP and Vista can use the Volume Shadow copy Service to make a copy of files that are lock in use. This is how any backup software can make a copy of the OS files in use.

Edit:

While I'm a big fan of Acronis' backup software, I think Vista's Complete PC Backup gets a bad rap that it does not deserve. It include everything a basic user needs: complete PC backup and restore, automated backups, and it's free.

 

no, you can restore it with the vista cd.

 

yes, shadow copy does that and much more, it's quite awesome..

the only thing to bash is, vista home premium can't use the full featured complete pc backup, only file backup. other than that, fully agreed.

the os implemented version of something is normally always the first choice. backup, firewall, uac, what ever. but people like to bash it, as it's the "microsoft solution". they prefer own solutions, as they prove they have knowledge, then

but it was a bad choice from microsoft to cripple the backup for home premium.

happily, with winhomeserver, that isn't a problem anymore, as it does full pc backups of everything, including xp

 

Do you mean Vista Home Premium cant properly back up OS partition because it will not include system files and executable files?

 

Ya, it won't do what you want it to do.

You want the Complete PC Backup in Vista business/Ultimate.

Which makes me wonder why I didn't ask you in the first place what edition of Vista you were running..............

If you aren't using Business/ Ultimate edition, you'll end up having to buy a third party solution.

Ughh, after all that......

 

Thanks guys. I stand corrected on the ability to restore using the Vista install CD. Didn't realize that option was there.

Surfasb, I know about shadow copies, but when it comes to the registry and the interdependency on muiltple files to be in a synchronized state, I don't trust shadow copies. Call me paranoid, but I prefer to do all my OS backups when the OS is NOT running.

Gary

 

Nah. At least you make backups. That alone deserves props.

 

OK, so I've installed Acronis True Image 2010 and did the One-Click Backup to my external USB drive. I THINK it copied just the C: partition with the OS and programs but how can I be sure?

I also created the Rescue Media DVD.

WHat else do I need to do? Do I have to Activate the Starttup Recovery Manager so that I can run the Recovery Manager by pressing F11 at boot time?

 

interestingly shadow copies happen on a system level where nothing can go wrong. they worked hard on it, and use it realtime on tons of environments inculding servers proving it's no issue. i'm quite paranoid about it, too, but so is, apparently, microsoft.

espencially since vista, they where able to get the os to always be (while the system can move during the backup) to allways be in a "well state". part of that is due to the same feature UAC uses: the system is untouchable. the only thing that could go wrong while doing a backup is if something that raised UAC is running, a.k.a. you install an app or so.

i got rid of my paranoya with my homeserver, which always does online backups, and they really all work. quite fun (and i still don't 100% understand that it really works )

 

No, just be sure you can boot from the Rescue Media DVD and that you can see the external USB drive after you boot from that media. (That gives you the same functionality as the F11 stuff. The F11 option is just there so you don't need to have the Recovery Media DVD.

Gary

 

I've been at this MUCH too long not to have MULTIPLE backups. Been there, done that, got the tire tracks on my back to prove it.

Gary

 

I use and trust shadow copies for many things. I just don't trust them for OS backup. And the only reason is I don't believe shadow copies can make sure that two or more files that may be updated at the same time and must be in sync with each other are actually backed up by the shadow copy mechanism at the same time. Everything I have read does not seem to show any way to indicate such dependencies to the shadow copy engine. Hence my reliance on a method I KNOW will keep them in sync... offline OS backups. I admit it is probably a bit of overkill. But it is so simple for me. I start it and go to bed. No worries.

Gary

 

Thanks Gary...you are educating me! I checked the backup made by the One-Click Backup and can see all files/folders from my C: partition. I'm thinking I should test the recovery though to make sure everything works properly...

If you think this is a good idea, can you tell me how to proceed? The 196 page manual is a bit hard to understand for a "backup newbie"!

Thanks!

 

well, as said, the os does not update ANY of it's files during runtime except when some UAC activity is going on. so you're 100% save about c:\windows and c:\programs except for the apps that changed permission (steam).

other than that, as far as i know, a backup indicates a full disk-shadow copy, so anything that get changed after starting the backup gets written into a new shadow copy. from that moment on you press backup, the whole system, in the state it is, does not get changed anymore, even if you save some file. but all new updates get into new shadow copies, and merged later again.

i could not provide a link about this right now, but read it once somewhere on msdn about shadow copy and backup, no clue anymore.

other than that, one could describe this as similar to how steady state works, so the os creates sort of the steady state, and all disk-writes get redirected to another place (in steady state, that big one file, in shadow copies, well, the shadow copies). unlike steady state which by defaults then cleans the file after reboot, shadow copies get merged.

but i could not give you documentation about this right now, sadly. i'd love to.

but this is how i learned how it works, and makes it 100% save.

 

When you boot from the Rescue Media, are you able to see the EXTERNAL drive? That is the main test you need to do. Beyond that, if you REALLY want to be sure it all works, the only test you can do is to do a full restore. As to the steps, I don't have the time to outline them, but of those 196 pages only a smaller portion is dedicated to the restore process. If you want to outline them and post here I am sure one of us can vet your findings.

Gary

 

I think you are spot on with your description. And as I said I do make use of Shadow copies on my Windows SBS 2003 server and elsewhere for my day to day backups. I do trust the Shadow copies for my backups. But for imaging, I still prefer offline operations. But I do those very infrequently, especially on the server.

As we have discussed before, I have multiple layers of backups on my machines. For the servers I have images of the OS and apps, made after any major updates (service packs, new apps installed) etc. burned to DVD(s). And weekly full and daily incremental backups of everything, to DAT tape. For the laptops and desktops, I have the same sort of images for the OS and apps, and daily data backups.

Gary