[Failing hard disk] Shall I take a system backup?

[sp33dyk]

Okay, so I had various issues months back and I had reported it here. My system had various problems because my HDD is failing, found temporary solutions, but seems like I should get a new HDD before I lose my data or my system goes down for a day or 2.

So shall I take a complete backup of the OS (i am not sure if it is possible), and everything and restore it on my new HDD?
I am not looking forward to have a fresh installation, cause this seems to be fine for now; so if there are no risks from taking complete system backup and restoring it on the new HDD, I would prefer so.
If that can be done and it's not too time-consuming, please show me the methods too.

Thanks!

Edit: Can my unresponsive Right click be related to the issue? Also sometimes mouse is unstable while drag and drop/selecting stuff.
Edit 2: The store from where I bought told me WD will replace the HDD since mine is in warranty period. Give me suggestions please. (in case if you will need any info, I stay in Mumbai,India)

 

[richnrockville]

SP33dyk, the best answer you need is YES, make an image backup if that is possible. You might want to copy all of your documents and data to an external drive.

YES back it up.

Rich

 

[Brink]

Hello sp33dyk,

It wouldn't hurt anything and would be recommended to create a system image with all partitions selected to be on the safe side.

However, if there's an issue with your current Windows installation, then it would also be in the system image when you restore it.

Personally, you might consider a clean install on the new HDD to start fresh. Just be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose first.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[sp33dyk]

Cool, thanks for your quick replies. I would go for a fresh install but time won't permit me for now. So that could be done at a later stage.
And I'm waiting for a reply from WD, if they'll provide me backup and restore on my replaced HDD.

 

[sp33dyk]

Okay, I have been trying to get a backup done, by creating a System Image and it is not working.

I get "...failed to create the shared protection..." error once in 3-4 tries, but each time it fails, I get either of: file/object/path not found.

I tried to search on MS answers, google etc, but I guess none is helping. I tried to take the backup on my external HDD first and then it kept on failing. Now I am trying on another partition, on the same disk.

And for your info:

1. System reserved free space is 60 MB, though when I give "Create Image" command, it is 26 MB (I know it of course will decrease, but just in-case..)
2. I tried to take a backup rather than creating a system image:

...here I did various combinations but still not working.
3. I have disabled Windows Firewall, Defender and Avast! too.
4. I even tried creating a new User account, but still got an error

If you'd recommend, I'll go for a check disk, but I had started it the other day and all I could see was something like "segment not readable" and it was taking like forever. :|
I am afraid to lose all my current user and software settings, so I am not putting much stress on HDD by running various scans or error fixing utilities.

Thanks

 

[Kaktussoft]

Make a backup using Macrum Reflect FREE bootable CD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html
To skip bad sectors: enter command prompt after booting from macrium DVD (there's a command prompt icon in task bar). run REGEDIT and do:
1. Create the following registry entry using Regedit:

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Macrium\Reflect\Defaults
Name: ignore bad sectors
Type: DWORD (32 bit)
Value: 1

Now make the backup. It will image everything it can. All other things are unreadable anyway.
-------
Restore the image later to the new disk. Boot from new disk. Now do http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html to refresh corrupt stuff.

Still problems??? You can always do a clean install

 

[Brink]

In addition, I would also recommend that you manually copy and paste any files and documents that you do not want to lose to be safe in case the backup fails to be restored later.

 

[sp33dyk]

Alright, thanks!
I have decided and 99% I am installing a fresh copy of Windows, even though it will take some time, I'll like a faster system.
And yep, I am copying all data manually which is very important.

And is there any way to get back my application settings and data (that is saved by the user)? For example: history and addons of browsers, various settings of various applications? Cause I have tweaked a lot in 2 years and don't want to put efforts if I can simply copy them for newer installation.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Alright, thanks!
I have decided and 99% I am installing a fresh copy of Windows, even though it will take some time, I'll like a faster system.
And yep, I am copying all data manually which is very important.

And is there any way to get back my application settings and data (that is saved by the user)? For example: history and addons of browsers, various settings of various applications? Cause I have tweaked a lot in 2 years and don't want to put efforts if I can simply copy them for newer installation.

Not very easy. Settings are in appdata folder, or in registry. But you can try Windows Easy Transfer - Microsoft Windows for some very common applications.