How do I use BCDEDIT with cloned drives?

[WaltB32]

What code process is there for a clone booting I have 1 SADA and 2 IDE drives that I would like to
manage at start up. Can BCDEDIT be used to bootmanage these three drives that have Windows 7
cloned?

 

[Ztruker]

If I understand correctly, you want to be able to chose between the 3 drives at boot time, correct? If so then BCDEDIT can do that but I would recommend using EasyBCD instead as it's a lot easier to use.

 

[theog]

You would also need three Windows 7 licence, one for each Windows 7 install.

 

[WaltB32]

WaltB32

Since I have the original Win 7 CD on one computer why would I need 2 more install licenses. I don't recall MS mentioning anything about clones in there terms and conditions.

 

[gregrocker]

Perhaps we can help you better if you explain why you need to boot 3 copies of the same WIn7.

It does require a separate license for each, and is rarely really necessary except in one's imagination. There are almost always better alternatives working with the copy of Win7 you actually own.

 

[WaltB32]

Trojans

The back ups are protection from virus infections

 

[gregrocker]

I suggest a baseline Win7 backup image stored to another HD, so that if Win7 ever becomes irreparable you can reimage it from the backup to HD or its replacement in 20 minutes. This doesn't require maintaining multiple OS's activated with the same Product Key.

It's best this backup be made after getting a perfect Clean Reinstall however you can use what you have now until you have time to do that. Once you have backed up a perfect install you never need reinstall again, even to other machines which we can help you apply the image onto.

To keep files current have a backup solution to the cloud similar to Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive which makes your files available from anywhere as well. Or you can schedule the simplest, SyncToys backup to another HD as often as you want.

 

[WaltB32]

Maybe you didn't read the original request, the clone is stored on another HD within the same computer.
So the IDE HD is the backup and can be accessed within 5 minutes and not exposed to a virus on the
main drive. What I need is a code to process BCDEDIT to manage these drives.

 

[gregrocker]

If you only want to check that they're working clones you can use the one-time BIOS boot menu key to trigger the clone drive.

To boot them regularly you'd need another license, setting a multi-boot with EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) or using the BIOS boot menu which is easiest.

It was as a result of reading your post that I gave you the solution which works for countless others.

 

[SIW2]

Seems to me a valid backup solution.

He will be using one installed win7 all the time. The cloned drive is there just in case his install gets borked.

There are some backup solutions which are just for that purpose - some will even keep udating the clone.

Yes you need to make sure the bcd entries are correct - there are one or two programs which can update bcd entries without needing bcdedit.exe. You could generalise the running bcd store first.

bcdedit /set {current} osdevice boot
bcdedit /set {current} device boot
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} device boot

optional:
bcdedit /set {memdiag} device boot


Then you will be fine to clone to your heart's content.

If you have done the cloning, then you can do the same, but point at the clone bcd store, e.g. if clone is on drive D:

bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {default} osdevice boot
bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {default} device boot
bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {bootmgr} device boot
bcdedit /store D:\boot\bcd /set {memdiag} device boot

The other ( easier ) way is to use a program which will update all bcd stores automatically.

Paragon products which include a cloning function will do that.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks, Si.

How is activation handled with multiple OS's using the same Key? Or is it not an issue at all if the clone is never booted. This is why I was hesitant to give him a multi-boot solution.

Why is it necessary to generalize the BCD if he's not booting the clone but it is only stored and never started until needed? Just askin.

 

[SIW2]

Why is it necessary to generalize the BCD if he's not booting the clone but it is only stored and never started until needed?

He will need to boot it , to check it is ok , then if his his regular install gets screwed. That is why he is making the clone.

Activation is fine on the same machine.

Clone is the same as an image. Image is usually used sectors - but you can do all sector images. You can restore an image to a different HD on the same machine without activation problems ( unless there is drive letter slippage ).

 

[WaltB32]

BCDEDIT Code

Thanks I'll try those codes.