bootable cloning

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  1. Posts : 17
    win 7 64
       #1

    bootable cloning


    Hello:

    I am trying to understand if all backup applications that do cloning means that that a clone of the OS drive will be bootable without using any recovery disks . This means just plug the new cloned drive into the old drive and it should work (in theory). I know they may be some exceptions for laptops. For example, is m a c r i u m cloning bootable?



    There is a product c a s p e r that claims to be easier faster , etc, etc, Is this just cloning or are they doing something different.

    thank you
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  2. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #2

    Yes a clone will be bootable.
    A correctly imaged HDD will also be bootable. If you post a full Disk Management screenshot we can comment on partitions that need to be imaged.
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  3. Posts : 17
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    This is interesting. Now I am more confused. When I look a file structure of a Windows backup system image , it seems that that the "image" needs to be uncompressed or something into another disk. I guess this discussion is in reference to my second question about the product " casper" where the claim is that your destination media of the cloned system disk can be plug back into the system and you boot as if the original disk were there (no recovery CD , etc).

    As far as I know, all this image software applications need some kind of recovery disk with their application in order to restore the image.

    For me bootable means that the cloned disk can be put in place of the original disk and the system should boot without doing anything. Is this the correct definition of of cloning? I am assuming with an image you can't do this.

    If my understanding is true about cloning, I am trying to figure out what is so special about "casper" then.


    thank you for your help.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #4

    vlsi99xx said:

    For me bootable means that the cloned disk can be put in place of the original disk and the system should boot without doing anything. Is this the correct definition of of cloning? I am assuming with an image you can't do this.
    You are generally correct.

    A successful clone is bootable immediately--the system is transferred from hard drive 1 to hard drive 2 in real time.

    Imaging produces an image file. That image file is stored on some other partition and is not bootable. If the image file is then "restored" to a hard drive, the hard drive will then be bootable.

    Imaging is most often used as a means of system recovery after a major problem, such as corruption, viruses, or drive failure. Cloning is most often used to move a system that is working well from one drive to another---as when upgrading to a larger hard drive.

    You sometimes hear the 2 terms used as if they were synonyms, but they are in fact different processes with different results.

    Neither is guaranteed to work.
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  5. Posts : 17
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the response , now that I am sync with the understanding of cloning, I have more questions:

    1- Do programs like Macrium and Paragon or most other that do "cloning" infer a bootbale disk or you still need to use their recovery disk to do something before you replace the failed disk? I am trying to understand that if I buy a program that performs "cloning" means what I understands to be or there are many other definitions.

    2- The program casper (which I am thinking about buying) sounds like they just do cloning with supposedly better algorithm (faster, bla bla) or are they doing something different . I did not see the word cloning in their feature set.

    thanks again
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #6

    1: I've never done a clone and am not sure if a bootable recovery disk is needed. Probably not? A bootable recovery disk is needed to restore an image. That disk can be a Linux-based disc or a WinPE disk. The WinPE disk is more flexible and more likely to boot without issues, but is a bit more difficult to make. Whichever you use, confirm that it will in fact boot your PC.

    2: I'm unfamiliar with Casper, but for all I know they are using the term "cloning" to mean "imaging". You have to confirm that on your own--as I said, the 2 terms are often used interchangeably---incorrectly.

    The free version of Macrium Reflect 5.0 appears to offer both cloning and imaging. See pic:
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails bootable cloning-untitled-1.jpg  
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  7. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #7

    ignatzatsonic said:
    The free version of Macrium Reflect 5.0 appears to offer both cloning and imaging. See pic:
    Yes it does. I have used it for cloning but not on an OS disk.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 325
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #8

    vlsi99xx said:
    2- The program casper (which I am thinking about buying) sounds like they just do cloning with supposedly better algorithm (faster, bla bla) or are they doing something different . I did not see the word cloning in their feature set.
    Casper looks to be a high-priced cloning tool for encrypted hard drives.
    You may do fine with free software. Not clear what your purpose is.
    Here's something that hasn't been mentioned.
    When you clone a HD your cloned drive has the same partition size of the partition you cloned. There may be a way around that - don't know. And that's fine if you intend to use it as your new system drive right away.
    Otherwise it will sit somewhere unused, because you really don't want to write to it as a "working" drive. If that's okay, then a cloned system drive is fine. Put it in or connect it when you need it.
    A system image created with Macrium, Ghost, True Image, etc., can be put in a folder on any drive. It is a simple file, and always smaller than the partition size, and can also be compressed when making it.
    To restore the image you need to boot a CD or thumb drive. But you don't necessarily have to connect any hardware to get your system back.
    With a cloned drive you don't need a boot CD, but have to connect the drive.
    I don't know if you have to boot a CD to clone - never did it.
    System imaging is more flexible. Personally, it has always served my needs, and that's why I have no experience cloning.
    My main point is that you have to define your purpose before you decide whether to clone or image.
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  9. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #9

    This is very true. You might also have mentioned that with imaging you can have as many images as your backup disk will hold.
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  10. Posts : 17
    win 7 64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    kado897 said:
    This is very true. You might also have mentioned that with imaging you can have as many images as your backup disk will hold.

    I agree, I think cloning and imaging could be part of your overall backup strategy. You could have a clone of your sys drive and several images versions.

    For data, it is more of a grey area as you need a lot space for it and you may also want incremental images copies as well.

    Victor: Casper looks to be a high-priced cloning tool for encrypted hard drives.

    For $50 is a high price compare to free but it is within the range of most paid products.


    thanks for all the feedback
      My Computer


 
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