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I have two hd drives.
The first one is labelled "c" and contains the operating system and programs.
The second one has three partitions, labelled "m", "z" and "x"
I have moved My Documents and Downloads from "c" to "m".
Drive "m" will contain all my data and will be backed up to an external drive.
I have created a WindowsImageBackup Folder of drive "c" in drive "z".
I have created a WindowsImageBackup Folder in an external drive.
Partition/drive "x" is roughly twice the size of the OS in "c" and is allocated but empty.
I have made a Windows System Repair Disc.
If drive "c" fails I understand that I can use the System Repair Disc to re-install the operating system and programs using the WindowsImageBackup Folder.
After replacing the faulty drive and installing a new drive, I understand that I can allocate the new drive using the System Repair Disc.
Is this correct?
From a time point of view, if I remove the faulty drive but not replace it immediately, then can I use the System Repair Disc and the WindowsImageBackup stored in drive "z" to install the operating system and programmes in partition/drive "x"?
If so, can I then boot and run Windows from drive "x"?
Will the computer automatically find the OS in drive "x" or will I have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS?
Presumably, I can install a replacement drive within the Windows environment, label it "c" and move the OS from "x" to "c".
Any comments about the above would be much appreciated, as with most backup stuff, you don't know what will happen until you come to use it.
It seems to make sense from a space viewpoint and is sometimes necessary, to install the OS on an SSD and programmes on a different drive.
However, am I correct in thinking that the system image of the OS will only work, after a re-installation, with programmes installed at the time of the creation of the image?
In other words, as the OS registry is written to when a programme is installed, then any programmes installed after a system image is made will not work if that system image is re-installed on the SSD.
Last edited by Brink; 30 Apr 2012 at 09:38. Reason: merged