Possible to System Restore using Restore Point on another partition?

[Sara82]

Hi all,

So, this question sort of ties into this whole issue, but here's the basics. Currently my C drive, which has my Windows 7 install, can't/won't boot, but I have space on another partition (on another drive) where I could do a fresh Windows 7 install. If I were to do that, could I then somehow use System Restore from the new boot partition to tap into a Restore Point on the old one to put my PC back to the way it was before it got all screwed up? Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

Thanks!!

 

[RolandJS]

Try this: download and install Macrium Reflect [free or fee]; after you have removed the original hard-drive and installed the other available hard-drive, fully install Windows 7 on this extra HD now acting as number 1 HD. After making sure everything posts and boots, use Macrium Reflect to make a couple of full images of the OS partition onto somewhere - else. Put back the original HD, and use Macrium Reflect to restore the saved OS partition image onto the original HD.

 

[Sara82]

Try this: download and install Macrium Reflect [free or fee]; after you have removed the original hard-drive and installed the other available hard-drive, fully install Windows 7 on this extra HD now acting as number 1 HD. After making sure everything posts and boots, use Macrium Reflect to make a couple of full images of the OS partition onto somewhere - else. Put back the original HD, and use Macrium Reflect to restore the saved OS partition image onto the original HD.

Hi, and thanks for the reply! I might be misunderstanding, but wouldn't that overwrite everything on the original HD partition? There are files on that partition I'm trying to save. Perhaps more importantly, though, I know that drive/partition has a good Restore Point I could go back to, if I could only access it. I just wasn't sure if installing a new copy of Windows on another partition/drive would be able to read that previous Restore Point or not.

 

[RolandJS]

Ahhh, those data files you need saved -- all the more reason to make a full image of that partition containing OS and your data stuff. Having a full image on another media will give you peace of mind because after everything is working again, if need be, you can restore your data folders and files from the saved image.
Meanwhile, I have no idea how to advise you with your System Restore/Restore Point idea -- I'll be listenin' in and learning right alongside with ya.

 

[DavidE]

See if booting from a DVD disc using OPTION TWO in this tutorial helps:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

EDIT:
I just looked at your other thread and it looks like you already tried this.

 

[Sara82]

Thanks for the suggestions anyway, Roland! I do know all my files on the affected drive are still there, so that's reassuring, at least. It's more I don't want to have to fuss with getting Windows set up the way I like it all over again. I wonder... is there a pretty clear layout of the OS installation on the drive once it's done? As in, maybe I could do the fresh install on the other partition and then just copy over the relevant OS files to get the original partition booting properly again without wiping out everything else?

And hi, David! Thanks for the idea. Unfortunately, when I try to use the Repair function from my Win7 DVD, I get the following error message: "This version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows." Even though Win7 is what I was running right before my computer went all wonky on me.

 

[RolandJS]

...is there a pretty clear layout of the OS installation on the drive once it's done? As in, maybe I could do the fresh install on the other partition and then just copy over the relevant OS files to get the original partition booting properly...

I don't know if this can be done, and I don't know how to do it. Back in my Windows 3.1 - Windows for Workgroup 3.11/DOS 3.3 - DOS 6.22 days -- I was able to do some of that, now, I simply don't know.

 

[whs]

If you make a new OS install, then you are at square1. Using your settings from another installation is dreamware.