Copy entire system from backup image over bootable fresh install?

[db2boy]

Hi,
I have a drive that was using PGP that has become damaged and will not boot despite trying 3 days of different fixes and repairs. I have a complete drive backup that will restore but when I try and boot after my PGP password I get 'Missing operating system'. Again I have tried decrypting and fixing but to no end.

I have another disk with a working and booting install of Win7 (same architecture etc) on. I have the entire contents of the non-booting system disk that I can access from the image of it.

If I booted into something like Windows Recovery or Live Linux environment, can I copy the entire contents of the non-working Win7 drive over the working one and expect it to work and then boot?

Aside from a fresh install of Windows and all apps and settings I am at a loss and hoping something like this will work!

Thanks

Ant

 

[gregrocker]

Better to try Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot.

After disinfecting and attempting boot repairs there are steps for copying out files at boot which should bypass encryption since the OS is inert. Then you can restore your image or Clean Reinstall following best practices in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

I would not use any Norton or Symantec product.

 

[db2boy]

Thanks for the reply and pointers. I finally managed to get this going with a combination of DISKPART and system repair from the Windows DVD. My taste for PGP is now sour!

Thanks