Question about restoring HDD with Acronis TrueImage

[Puppy]

This could be another HOW TO. My question is regarding regular HDD backups using Acronis TrueImage 9.

I do regular backups of the "Windows" partition only using the bootable CD (that means the hidden IBM service partition is not backed up) on external USB drive. These backups serves two purposes:

1. to be able restore the whole system after a software problem (a virus, important files deleted by mistake, crappy software installation etc.) on the same HDD.
2. to be able restore the whole system after a HDD failure and replacing the HDD

My question is whether having the "windows" partition only is sufficient to recover the system in both cases, especially after I read Hard Drive Cloning HOW TO section 4c.

As for [1] I hope it is sufficient because I'm not updating the MBR, ok ?
As for [2] my idea is I would use recovery CDs to create the hidden service partition (and thus the MBR) first, then restore the "windows" partition from last backup. Would it work or I always have to backup full HDD image (both partitions, including hidden one) to get it work (this is related section 4c in the HOW TO) ? And another question, how does it work if the new HDD has larger capacity than the original one.

Thanks.

[Kyocera]

Good question(s).

I have been able to do a factory restore on my HD to create the functional service partition and XP pro retail.

I restored to factory then deleted the windows partition, left the service partition and used my XP pro retail CD to reinstall windows, this, of course replaces the ibm MBR with the windows MBr. To replace the windows MBR i got a usb floppy and downloaded the "F11" floppy image. There are three options, repair the mbr, replace the mbr and I can't remember what the third one is. I selected "replace". This gave me a completely useable service partition, (when you boot the computer and press F11 you will be able to restore your drive to factory if you ever have to. You will not be able to use the F11 key inside windows, for obvious reasons.. (You would have to reinstall all the R&R software).

Pretty sure you could use this procedure to restore you HD with your backed up images. Replacing the windows mbr with the ibm mbr takes about 15 mins once you get it downloaded.

HTH.

[dsvochak]

The discussion in 4(c) of the "how to" points out a problem that may come up if a CD image containing (as in your example) only the Windows partition out of multiple partitions, is "restored" to a bare drive. In that case, the MBR may not be restored.

The method you outlined in "[2]" works on the machines I've tried it on (T2X models). The IBM recovery CD's restore the machine to the original configuration. The "windows" image restores the windows partition to it's state as of the date of the image.

That being said, as a believer in "belt & suspenders" when it comes to backups, I think it's a good idea to create at least 1 complete full HD image just in case. (And, if at all possible, to test it by doing a restore before you need it).

The new drive having a larger capacity is generally not an issue. The program either deals with it automatically or the size can be adjusted with software like Partition Magic.

PS. Kyocera's right excellent questions.

[Puppy]

Thanks.

Still, I'd like to know whether TrueImage is capable to fix the MBR in case [2] or not. I guess it must have some MBR editing capabilities in case you are restoring to HDD with different capacity.

[Puppy]

That being said, as a believer in "belt & suspenders" when it comes to backups, I think it's a good idea to create at least 1 complete full HD image just in case.

You're right, few extra gigabytes of compressed backup won't hurt in case the HDD needs to be replaced.

[Kyocera]

puppy,

I'd like to know whether TrueImage is capable to fix the MBR in case [2] or not.

I would think, that if true image can properly copy the MBR (as is the case when you completely clone the whole HD via usb enclosure, as the F11 option has always been there when i've done it) it would be able to do the same via a CD image, provided you had the ibm mbr and were able to boot to the service partition properly prior to copying.