Solved Image back up

[CousinIt]

I am going to attempt an image restore but I have a question concerning the additional drive. I know that I can creat an image of (let's say) Drive C: and D:, My question comes as this, when I go to restore the computer from this image will the image put C: on C: and D: back on a D: drive?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I am going to attempt an image restore but I have a question concerning the additional drive. I know that I can creat an image of (let's say) Drive C: and D:, My question comes as this, when I go to restore the computer from this image will the image put C: on C: and D: back on a D: drive?

Yes, assuming C and D are 2 partitions on the same physical drive.

But most people would advise you to make 2 images: C alone and D alone.

Then restore each as needed.

If D is a data partition, I would not image it. I would instead use a standard "file by file" backup program and avoid the complication of imaging for something as critical as data.

If you have a "System Reserved" partition, it has to be imaged also.

 

[DavidE]

What program do you use to create backup images?

Windows backup will include all system partition(s) when creating an image.

With programs such as Macrium, Acronis, ... you can select which partition(s) to include in the image.

 

[CousinIt]

Thanks for the reply, I will be using win7 create system image. I also have two physical drives. C: and D:.. If I create the system image which will include both of the drives and I replace c: with a larger drive and also d: and when I restore the system image will the image put the information on c: like it was and d: like it was? I hope I am not being redundant!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What's on D and why would you image it?

 

[CousinIt]

I have a few back up from programs like quickbooks and pricing program for the business. I am just worried that some programs on c: are pointed to d: for backups or anything. I know once I get it loaded I can redirect the backups but just in case I am just wondering if I do a new c: and d: with the information post on the new build like it is now.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Is your ORIGINAL data on C, entirely?

D contains NO original data, only backups of data from C?

 

[CousinIt]

That is correct.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That is correct.

Do you have an external drive E or anything other than C and D?

Or is D external?

 

[CousinIt]

yes I do but I won't need to back that up.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

To avoid confusion:

C and D are internal?

How large is the external and what is its purpose?

Generally, until I see more details, I'd think in these terms:

Make an image of C. That will contain your OS and ALL of your data. Store the image on D and possibly also on your external.

There is no reason to image D.

Backup the data portions of C to D and/or to your external by normal means, NOT using an image.

Do not rely on an image for data backup. Images are known to be flaky at the worst possible moment.

 

[CousinIt]

I thank you for you time. Although you were helpful I don't think I got the question answered.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I thank you for you time. Although you were helpful I don't think I got the question answered.

I'm sure I could answer the question if I knew the question.

 

[CousinIt]

The question was if I create an image of the computer drive C: and D: both physical drives and replace with new and larger drives and do the image restore will the image restore the new drives exactly as they are now? stating that if any thing on c: is pointing to d: will it still do that>and will everything be the same as it is now.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

see comments in bold

The question was if I create an image of the computer drive C: and D: both physical drives and replace with new and larger drives and do the image restore will the image restore the new drives exactly as they are now?

That would depend on whether or not you can restore each drive INDEPENDENTLY FROM WITHIN A SINGLE IMAGE FILE CONTAINING 2 DRIVES. I don't know if you can do that with Windows built in imaging.

You certainly could IF you made separate images of C and D as opposed to both drives in a single image. You would simply restore the image of C to the new larger C and separately restore the image of D to the new larger D.

But the larger question is: why image D at all since it is only a backup drive anyway?
[/B]


stating that if any thing on c: is pointing to d: will it still do that>and will everything be the same as it is now.

I'm not sure what you mean here. As I understand it, C is Windows and data and D is only backup of some of the data on C.

 

[CousinIt]

Thank you, that was the answer I was looking for. I appreciate you time.

 

[DavidE]

I don't want to add to confusion here, but

Just be aware that you can NOT create a backup image on a partition that you are imaging.
If you do create a single image for C and D, the image MUST be created on another partition such as E.

 

[CousinIt]

Thanks Got it! I will let you know how all goes in about a week. I will be attempting it this weekend. So until then thanks again.