Clone With AOMEI

@SIW2, Thanks!

Keep in mind that a clone backup is not the same as an image backup. A clone basically gets all of the raw information from the drive, errors and all; while an image gets the files and folders. In other words, a clone is a low-level backup, while an image is a high-level backup.

It would be good to do both types of backups, because each one offers different benefits. Also, in case one fails, you have the other.

I should be using the Clone to start with though right? Image first then attempt the Clone to New Drive?

I was thinking I would check the Hardware first, in fact, I have a spare HP PSU that may work to test that theory.

Then do a sfc scan, and or a CHKDSK C: /R? I did see that the SMART was good, but that is not always accurate from my experience. Just want to make sure there is no heat before attempting one of these.

I'm glad you said something, I was going to backup all Files anyhow, but I was thinking "Clone" was going to bring everything over?

Is it possible to just Image it and then drop that Image onto the new Drive?

If this don't work for me, don't worry, I'll find out if they have Recovery Media, and I have Retail Install Media also.

Do I need to Install AOMEI to do this, or just run from DVD?

Lastly, AOMEI or Macrium, is one better than the other?
I have Macrium Installed on my Main Machine, so for at least one part of this I could Image to my Personal Backup.

I know that's a lot, any help is great! I'll need to do this one day soon on one of my machines.

Thanks, Nasty7

Nasty7 said:

I should be using the Clone to start with though right? Image first then attempt the Clone to New Drive?

I was thinking I would check the Hardware first, in fact, I have a spare HP PSU that may work to test that theory.

Then do a sfc scan, and or a CHKDSK C: /R? I did see that the SMART was good, but that is not always accurate from my experience. Just want to make sure there is no heat before attempting one of these.

I'm glad you said something, I was going to backup all Files anyhow, but I was thinking "Clone" was going to bring everything over?

Is it possible to just Image it and then drop that Image onto the new Drive?

If this don't work for me, don't worry, I'll find out if they have Recovery Media, and I have Retail Install Media also.

Do I need to Install AOMEI to do this, or just run from DVD?

Lastly, AOMEI or Macrium, is one better than the other?
I have Macrium Installed on my Main Machine, so for at least one part of this I could Image to my Personal Backup.

I know that's a lot, any help is great! I'll need to do this one day soon on one of my machines.

Thanks, Nasty7

Both types of backup are valid and complete backups, but they perform that function differently. A clone backup non-intelligently moves through the whole drive, backing up all of the bits of data exactly as they are laid out on the drive, including the empty space. An image backup, on the other hand, intelligently backs up only the files and folders. A side benefit of an image backup is that it has the effect of defragmenting the contents. A clone backup preserves everything as is, fragmentation and all.

If I were going to do both types of backups, I would probably do the clone first, then the image. But it's not a big deal which one you do first.

I would do at least one of the backups before you do anything else.

If I could have the ideal "restore" kit, this is what it would include:

• A complete set or two of original factory install DVDs, if available, so that you can get the computer back to original factory condition.
• A Windows install disk, so that you can do a clean install of Windows.
• A second, identical hard drive -- whenever you do a backup, remove the current hard drive and put in the second hard drive, then do a restore to the second hard drive. You will know immediately if your backup was successful.
• One or two copies of an emergency boot disk, so that you can boot the computer and do a restore if your hard drive fails.
• Several pairs of 2TB external hard drives -- each backup would be kept on two drives; when they fill up, I would use two others, etc., etc.

No one does all of that. But the more you have in your restore kit, the greater are your chances of recovery in the event of a failure.

I have separate data and Windows drives. I backup Windows every now and then, but I back up my data more often than that -- about once a month. In all honesty, that's all I can get myself to do; but at least it's something. I do have the original recovery disks, as well as a backup of when the computer was new.