Restoring from file backup

[luckycharms]

Hi Folks,

My hdd just died. I have a full file backup of the main partition, and I'd like to try to use that to restore my comp to its state at that point. I do not have an image backup - just a full file backup using Retrospect (with Open File Backup).

Because I don't have a full disk image, I figure that I have to install windows 7 first in order to get the hidden partition installed. I'll do this with my Lenovo recovery discs. Then I plan on restoring all the files on the main partition.

Does this sound like a good plan? Will it work?

Thanks!
Allie

Win 7 Pro x64 SP1
Lenovo Thinkpad T410
500 GB HDD

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Allie.


If you want to create specific partitions to include the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition, have a look at this info below, it shows how to create a SysResv at a better size than the new default of 100MB making for a better install.

Obviously you would skip the "clean all" in Step One as it's a new HDD and that's not needed.

   Note

If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

You can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[luckycharms]

thanks for the reply. so, you think that my plan should work? that just restoring the files to the main partition, having already created the system reserved partition, should work?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Are you referring to recovering needed personal data from the damaged HDD? If so have a look at this tutorial at the link below for a method that may work for that.


How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista

 

[luckycharms]

nope. take a look at my first post:

My hdd just died. I have a full file backup of the main partition, and I'd like to try to use that to restore my comp to its state at that point. I do not have an image backup - just a full file backup using Retrospect (with Open File Backup).

Because I don't have a full disk image, I figure that I have to install windows 7 first in order to get the hidden partition installed. I'll do this with my Lenovo recovery discs. Then I plan on restoring all the files on the main partition.

I have a full backup of the files on the main partition stored on an external drive. Basically, I want to install the system reserved partition onto the new drive (along with the OS files onto the main partition, but I'm going to overwrite those). Once I do that, I want to restore *all* my old files, including all OS files, onto the main partition. That's my plan, but i'm not sure it'll work. I don't want to go through the headache of reinstalling programs, reconfiguring the OS, etc...

 

[kado897]

I very much doubt it. It would work for your data files. The vast majority of programs need installing to create registry entries and overwriting windows files is likely to be a disaster.

 

[pparks1]

It will work just fine for your data files, but you aren't going to be able to put programs down like that with a backup and have any hope of them working. You will have to reinstall all of them in order to get the registry and stuff repopulated with the needed information.

This is why many of us went to image based backups...these are the types that return us to a point where everything was working. it puts the machine back exactly the way it was.

 

[luckycharms]

but my restoration would include all the registry files.

 

[kado897]

but my restoration would include all the registry files.

Are you sure it's not an image? How was it produced?

 

[luckycharms]

yep - not an image. Used Roxio Retrospect with Open File Backup.

 

[kado897]

Mmm.

I still don't think it would work but will you lose anything if you try it and it doesn't?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, here's some information you may find useful.


If you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

 

[mjf]

By all means try it.
Personally - I wouldn't bother. Even if it appears to work there would be a doubt in my mind that something was waiting to bite. I would only use a reliable imaging program for OS/installed software.
As for data and non installed programs - use what you like.
So without an image I'd clean install OS AND software.