How do I backup entire pc to external HD then Reinstall

[se7ensins]

The Active User is your named User account.

Did you try to save a Windows System Image to external and it errored saying it needs NTFS formatting?Yes. If you want to use Win7 imaging then you'll need to move your data off temporarily to forma/t NTFS If I do that will I still be able to connect the mybook external
, or try using free Macrium Reflect to capture the image.

If you have decided to do a clean reinstall, then follow the tutorial I posted earlier. I do want but I want an image backup also. You can wait until after all of your programs are reinstalled and files in place and it is running as you like before capturing your backup image. Then you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or a replacement.

Backup image is different than your folders which should be backed up separately. The image is an image file which is only able to reimage your HD in the exact image that was captured when u ran it. All of your files will be only current to that point in time, hich is why you should back them up more often so you have a current set

Also, sometimes the backup image does not work so you need your files and program installers (kept IN Downloads folder) backed up in case you must reinstall your OS from scratch.

HD Diagnostic

see above and below.

I am now confused. I want to back up the entire system first then do a clean reinstall. I only want the backup until I make sure I can get all my programs and such on the new system. From what I understand I need an image and I need to back up the program, library, appdata, downloads etc. Is this correct?

Sorry if I didn't have so much data I would just do a clean reinstall and forget about the rest. I need that data and the certain programs that are on my pc backed up just in case things don't work out with the clean reinstall.

Edit: How do I zero out my HD?

 

[gregrocker]

If you want to back up a System Image as well as files, and the imaging app has told you it needs NTFS formatting on your external, then you'll need to move your files from the external onto your HD or elsewhere so you can format the external NTFS and then move the files back on. Why wouldn't you be able to still connect your external if you do this?

Once you have your image and files backed up, test you image by booting DVD Repair console/Repair CD, select "Restore using a System Image" to see if it autodetects the image and cues it up correctly to reimage the HD.

Once you know it will work, doublecheck your files to see they are all there, gather your program installers, Boot DVD>Repair console>Recovery tools, open Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

This will preformat your HD so you wont' be assigned the 100mb System Reserved boot partition, which also places the Repair Console on the Advanced Boot Tools menu accessed by tapping F8 at bootup. So if you want the 100mb boot partition, exit DISKPART after Clean all (zeroing) and use the installers Custom>Drive Tools to create and format your partitions so it will make the 100mb boot partition, too.

 

[se7ensins]

Finally got around to the above. I'm at the formatting portion. Is possible to go back in the menu and do an install without the image? Or maybe there is a command I can do? Remember I've already cleaned my HDD so I'm assuming if I restrt it won't boot up.

It would be a total waste to have gone through all this and have to install an image of the same thing I just got rid of.

 

[se7ensins]

Oh I forgot I didn't write down te windows key so if I do manage to install from command line will I need the key to install windows or can that be done once it is installed?

 

[se7ensins]

So Im restoring using the image I created.

I do however have another question:
is it possible to use a program like dban on my hdd and then reinstall w7 from install disk?
Would the computer recognize it since it would be wiped?

 

[acurasd]

A really good backup compression software and restore is Norton Ghost.

If you dont have many files and you dont want to compress them, you could just copy the files over directory by directory

http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost

It is not free but its good!

 

[Jacee]

Oh I forgot I didn't write down te windows key so if I do manage to install from command line will I need the key to install windows or can that be done once it is installed?

Where did you get Windows 7? Your key is either on the box or from your legit downloaded site and in your email.

 

[apollodominion]

i use the the old school (Copy and past) and once i have windows installed i install synctools from micro soft its backs up folders your choose and puts it where you say i have a server for all the pcs in the house wich have it installed on windows 2k XP Vista and 7 and every time a file gets added its goes to server for backup and u can set it up on a external HDD.

PS its free also

 

[se7ensins]

Alright I got my pc back to what it was when I created the image.

gonna write down the windows key and do the other stuff I forgot to do.

The issue is still the same. I want to zero out my hdd then do a clean reinstall. How do I that without using the image?

 

[gregrocker]

I posted in #22 exactly how to do a clean reinstall using the Win7 DVD.

If you want to zero the HD, use "clean all" in place of the "Clean" command.

If you want the 100mb System Reserved partition (which places the "Repair My Computer" console on Advanced Boot Tools list accessed by tapping F8 at bootup) then exit DISKPART after the clean or clean all commands, then use the booted DVD to create and format your partition(s) by choosing "Drive Options" link during Custom install.

Before you do the install, back up your files to copy over into folders after clean reinstall. Also, run the Belarc Advisor to get a full audit of your current system including Product keys for OS and other software.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.htmlhttp://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[se7ensins]

Oh I forgot I didn't write down te windows key so if I do manage to install from command line will I need the key to install windows or can that be done once it is installed?

Where did you get Windows 7? Your key is either on the box or from your legit downloaded site and in your email.

I posted in #22 exactly how to do a clean reinstall using the Win7 DVD.

If you want to zero the HD, use "clean all" in place of the "Clean" command.

If you want the 100mb System Reserved partition (which places the "Repair My Computer" console on Advanced Boot Tools list accessed by tapping F8 at bootup) then exit DISKPART after the clean or clean all commands, then use the booted DVD to create and format your partition(s) by choosing "Drive Options" link during Custom install.

Before you do the install, back up your files to copy over into folders after clean reinstall. Also, run the Belarc Advisor to get a full audit of your current system including Product keys for OS and other software.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.htmlhttp://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

That's the thing I did #22 and it would only let me get to the tools by pressing restore from image. The only other option was to install right away which I didn't want to do. Is there maybe an image tutorial since I am inept.

I looked the tutorial over. Is it possible to bring up the command line during the install?
I'm gonna go try this out now and just cancel if I don't get it.

 

[gregrocker]

During DVD bootup, press Shift F10 to access Command Line.

after DVD Repair console or Repair CD finds installation, tick the box for Recovery Tools not the box for Recover Using an Image, as shown in screenshot here: http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/51100-repair-cd-system-repair-disk.html

 

[se7ensins]

Alright I'm at the recovery tools menu. Can you give me a step by step guide on what to do now? I know you put it up before but as confused as I am I can't afford to mess it up.

 

[gregrocker]

Back up your files first as the HD will be deep cleaned and nothing will be saved. A System Image is not a file backup and will not help to reinstall your files after you do this clean reinstall. You must back up your files separately to an external source.


Boot DVD, press Shift F10 to open Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean all
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now return to Install Now and select Custom install. Choose the partition you have made to install to.

The installer is nearly driver-complete with newer drivers arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer. You can also back up your windows/system32/drivers and driverstore files to browse to for missing drivers.

 

[se7ensins]

Back up your files first as the HD will be deep cleaned and nothing will be saved. A System Image is not a file backup and will not help to reinstall your files after you do this clean reinstall. You must back up your files separately to an external source.


Boot DVD, press Shift F10 to open Command Line, type:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean all
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now return to Install Now and select Custom install. Choose the partition you have made to install to.

The installer is nearly driver-complete with newer drivers arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer. You can also back up your windows/system32/drivers and driverstore files to browse to for missing drivers.

Press shift f10 at the selection screen correct?
I have a laptop with the media functions on all the f keys so will it work?

 

[gregrocker]

Good question. Check the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer to see if you can download the application that drives these function keys.

If you have a Drivers/Apps disk which came with your computer, see if the app is included and available to download after clean install.

If necessary, query your Tech Support to see how you obtain that and any other apps you want which are not downloadable from their website or on disk you have.

Locate and open the application itself (in All Programs) so you know what you are referring to. Normally function keys have an app in addition to just a driver.

 

[se7ensins]

I think I figured it out. I didn't realize you could close the repair tools and get back to the main window.
Btw clean all is taking forever. It's a 300 gig hdd but still.

 

[gregrocker]

Let it run. It is zeroing the drive which is deepest possible clean. Takes about an hour for my 360gb HD but can vary.

 

[se7ensins]

This sucks waiting...
Does the install take this long?

 

[gregrocker]

No it takes about 30 minutes for a clean install.