Can I 'system image' recover

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 home premium x64
       #1

    Can I 'system image' recover


    Hi,

    I just changed my gigabyte Z68 mobo to a Z77 but could not boot Windows 7 (made an image of my old 'C' drive before hand)...so I fresh installed to the same disk and installed drivers for the new mobo (windows.old is there). Now all my disks and their partitions are the same as before (names and letters) BUT...Can I do a 'system image' restore to get back the files,folders and programs from the previous (Z68) 'C' drive back into the new Win 7?

    Will doing so bugger up the drivers for the new mobo?

    Will I have to reinstall all my programs etc?

    regards Russ
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #2

    You should just reinstall everything, the image will have all the board drivers for the old board and may cause conflicts with the newer ones.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 325
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    If I understand you right, the image taken when the old MB was in place didn't work with the new MB.
    So trying that image again will just overwrite your new Win 7 install, and again won't boot.
    You should have done this first
    Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

    If you start trouble-shooting why your image didn't boot, it's possible you can get that going, but you wasted your time with the new Win 7 install,
    You'll probably be better off now time-wise just reinstalling your programs.
      My Computer


  4. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #4

    I go along with a clean install. Windows will take care of most of your drivers but I would install the manufacturers graphics driver from their website. Also, deactivate any paid software that requires deactivating (eg. Photoshop).
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    You can mount the image from the old install in Disk Mgmt to open it like a drive and copy out the files if necessary: Virtual Hard Disk - Create and Attach VHD

    But if you have windows.old all of your files should be in there anyway. It also means you didn't really do a Clean Install, deleting all partitions, creating and formatting new as you should before install to avoid complications.

    If you want to reinstall the old mobo you can SysPrep the image as shown in the tutorial Victor linked. It's too late otherwise.

    Win7 is a driver-complete OS in the installer, quickly updated via Optional Windows Updates. You do not need to provide mobo drivers like with XP. They are provided. Only supply drivers still missing after all rounds of Updates are done.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #6

    'flying,

    If you really need to, you can restore the image.

    Before booting it up you will need to adjust the system hive.

    Fiddly hand, but Paragon has a point and click module that will do it in a second.

    The module is called p2p adjust (aka adaptive restore )

    You would need a paid version, though. It is included in the BR 12 Home ( not sure if it in the trail version - doubt it )

    Paragon Backup & Recovery Home - Backup and restore partitions, hard disks or files


    If you are really stuck, if you post up the system hive in a zip I will have a go at fixing it manually and post it back.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 home premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks for all the info,

    I couldn't do a sysprep...even tho I was sure my installation was a fresh one.

    I don't know why but when I attached my 'C' harddrive back into the same sata0 port on the new mobo...first it showed up as the 'I' drive...so my attempt to restore the image didn't work. Then when I removed all my other disks and had just the old 'C' drive it showed up as a 'D' drive...this complicated the situation somewhat!!!

    Why would this have happened...any idea?

    cheers.
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    SysPrep must be done on the original hardware. The drive is now only a data drive to be issued the next available letter from the new install you made on new mobo.

    Si, is Paragon Adaptive Restore CD still in the public domain for freeware sharing? Seems it should be the same situation as with PW 4.2 we share to do free Dynamic conversion.

    I have the ISO if so. CD still works great, actually better than their Virtualization trial from last year.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #9

    I have no idea Greg.

    I vaguely recall they were giving one away some time ago.

    I don't think they are still handing it out, or at least I haven't seen it for a while.

    Was it called Adaptive restore cd or some other name.
      My Computers

  10.    #10

    Yes, we linked it here for about a year in 2010 and then the download links all went away. About a year after that they put out the Virtualization manager trial which wasn't even as good, not even a boot disk.

    I use my PAR disk all the time to this day.
      My Computer


 
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