Question about partition backup

GroverH and MudCrab - thanks for the guidance; I'm understanding more about how this all works and feeling more confident. It will be Sunday evening or Monday before I can get back to this. Will post back asap.

I'm not following you re. installing on desktop. The drive is in enclosure. Can you please clarify. Thank you.

 

The ultimate idea behind testing is to remove the original disk (for safe keeping) and install a new disk for testing to see if the new drive will bootup after image restoration or cloning. Since your test drive is in an permanent type enclosure, restoring to it would only confirm whether the image can be restored but would not prove whether the restore would be bootable.

When performing your full disk backups, a suggested name for the backup archive would be "fulldisk1-.tib or fulldisk2-.tib" etc.
Note the dash before the .tib
The reason for the dash is that TI may assign additional digits to the file name and the dash is the separator.

For me, it will also be a day or so before I can post final recommendations.

 

OK, so I would image system drive C to, e.g., disk X, then restore to Y, a drive which would then swapped for C and test to see if the restore boots up? Then the "original" disk--meaning C?--is removed for safekeeping. Correct so far? Then, the next time I backup, again to X (?), then test restore to Y (?) and then swap again with C, putting the original C in safekeeping?

My apologies if I'm making this more complicated than it is, out of my unfamiliarity with the process, but it's looking like it would not be workable for my situation.

If I imaged C to H (external), then test restored it successfully to a dedicated internal drive, would there not reasonable assurance that the backup would work to restore to C if necessary?

For my data drive F backup, a separate conventional backup and possibly duplicate copies of my documents from partition F would be all needed to restore my data. No TI imaging/testing/restoring would be necessary.

I would like a reasonably good, not necessarily 100% foolproof, procedure to save me from reinstalling Windows, apps, settings, etc.

I look forward to your advice, as usual.

Bob

 

Hi Bob
For what its worth my advice for you would be the same as i would give myself and that is you are ok with your strategy and that the backups will be reliable. I have no reason to doubt that apart from floods, earthquakes, or the end of time occur lol. Seriously though, should be fine, Grover may have more to add.

 

Thanks, Sparky, and to everyone else for your help.

 

Bob,
Keep checking back. I have been delayed. I do plan to respond.

 

Broeux,
The important thing is for you to have a backup strategy which you can maintain and feel reasonably secure. This particular thread has now reached 30 postings--many of which have referred you to other postings for additional information. You know there are several ways of achieving your goal. After you perform a few successful normal restores, you may choose only to restore occasional backups--rather than restore after each backup.

One thread discussed your desire to resize your partitions. One option was to reduce the size of your first partition by 150GB (C: 230-150=80) and add that 150GB to your second partition (F: 50+15=200). Doing so would enable you to move your e-mail and "My Documents" folder plus other personal folders from C to F. Microsoft offers a free download of "Power Toys for Windows XP which includes TweakUI. This program can assist in re-locating these special system controlled folders.

This is my recommended action by you:

Sooner or later, you have to find out whether your backups can be restored and that can only be confirmed by performing an actual restore.

I have written a special pdf (Partition Restore with Resizing) showing how to perform a restore & resize your partitions at the same time. A successful restore of this example would confirm that your restore works and re-distribute your disk space as mentioned above. The pdf (1.9 mb) can be downloaded via this link.
http://grover.tabinc.com/gh-temp/gh-acronis-part-resize.pdf

In the remote possibility that the restore should fail, you would perform a second restore putting your system back to its original structure using another of your multiple full "disk" backups. Disk backups includes all partitions within the backup. This type full disk restore is illustrated in my Beginner’s Guide to restoring a basic full disk archive with links in my signature below.

Requirements: (if you use my recommendation)
1. Assign meaningful names to all your hard drives. These names would enable you to identify each drive by its name--not its drive letter. I prefer to include the XP drive letter as part of its unique name--such as XP_SYS-C or DATA_P2-F, etc. This can be very helpful (disaster prevention) in identification of the correct drive during the restore process.

2. Determine specific information about your disk drives--such as their mfgr and model numbers or sizes, etc. This can often be obtained from the XP Device Manger under the "Disk Drives" device listing. This can be very helpful (disaster prevention) in identification of the correct drive during the restore process.

3. Create several current full "disk" backup images (which includes all partitions). Copies of these image archives will be stored on both your external drive plus your second hard drive. Purpose is redundancy should one backup set not be usable, you have another to try. Backups must be validated using the TI Rescue CD. This validation process cannot be bypassed for this particular "Restore with Resizing" function.

4. Perform restore after booting from the TI Rescue CD.
--------------------------------
In summary:
it would be best if you had a spare drive which enable you to remove your system disk and replace it with another disk. In the absence of such a disk switch, we will be performing the restore to your one and only system disk. Your safety factor is that will have multiple copies of other backups which could be used to put restore your system back to original.

Looking ahead:
After a successful restore with resizing, you will want to make new full "disk" archives. Validation is recommended. I would suggest as you move your data folders from C to F, that you continue to create additional current disk backups. Should some your data folder movements create grief, you would have current disk backups which could be used for recovery.

Once you have your data movement complete, then you could perform partition type backups with only occasional disk backups. If you plan on continuing to allow XP to create system restore points, you will probably want to stop (delete all prior restore points) and restart this process anew. A disk defrag of C would be in order once you have completed your moves. A defrag of the disk used for backup storage of TI archives is not recommended.

Backup sets created prior to resizing would be limited to use for individual file or folder recovery as the disk structure of the old backups would not be same as the new structure. Old backups can be deleted any time you deem they have no recovery value.

Final:
Remember restoring any backup sets put your partition data back to the same content as when backup created. Validation is recommended.

These are my thoughts and suggestions. Other may offer different alternatives. I believe my suggestions will achieve your goal but does contain some risks since it is your first restore. Good backup sets offset most of that risk!.
Good luck!

ps: Prior to performing the actual process of restoring with resizing, simulate performing the actions shown in the Resizing pdf (link above} until you feel comfortable with the procedures. I hope you find my PDF helpful.

 

GroverH, I read through your recommendations, and though I haven't had a chance yet to digest it all, I can see you have given me excellent step-by-step directions that should guide me through the whole process. I also scanned your pdf guides and can see you have covered all the bases. I really appreciate all the assistance you and others give at this forum. I am considering adding some larger HD's and getting everything set up just the way I want it, but first I'm going to find time this weekend to study your guides. Thanks, again.

Bob

 

You're more than welcome. If you can succeed in your modifications, my time will have well spent.

If you have not done so recently, you should do an error checking on all your drives but particularly the system disk. Do all partitons.

I made a couple changes in the pdf. Suggest you download a fresh copy using the original link shown above.

 

Update:

Just wanted to let you know the status of my project (I hate it when people don't report back how the forum posters suggestions worked).

I had an image of C but had not verified it or tried to restore it. Since my last post, I bought Mustang's BartPE guide (excelent, BTW) and TI10 plugin and got as far as burning the Windows XP installation, but I couldn't get to the bios to change boot order to see if it would boot to the CD. (I do have to change the boot order, right? Just inserting the CD and rebooting doesn't work, does it? I tried that and it didn't work.)

My computer does not post when it starts up--black screen, no beeps, then XP Pro loads. I tried the F1 key, per the manual, plus MANY other key combinations and techniques at startup but have never been able to get into bios. I really hadn't thought about it, but this computer never has posted (didn't bother me and haven't had any need to go into bios).

For days, I've been researching this issue and have not come up with any solution. Until I can get into setup, I won't be pursuing TI backup/restore. Looks like I'm going to have to find time to get into the box and start checking cables, cards, psu, memory, etc. to see if I can get to the cause of non-post.

FWIW, though, the advice and help on this forum has been great, and when I can get things straightened out I hope to be following the recommendations you folks have shared with me. It's just a real busy time, right now, so it may be a while. Thanks to all.

Bob

 

During the first 5 seconds of bootup, there is usually a message at the bootom of the screen which says something like "Press Del key or press F1 or F2, etc".

Then you must change the boot order so the CDRom device is listed first. Then save the changes.

Try pressing the Esc key several times within the first few seconds.

What is the info about your computer? Make and model, etc.

 

Hi, Grover. There is NO post, no msgs, NO cursor, NO beep. Manufacturer insists F1 is the key. Have tried numerous F keys/combinations, including Esc, Insert, Del, Backspace, Tab, Enter, space bar, ctrl-alt-delete, plus a few other unconventional methods. Have pressed keys immediately after pressing start button and have tried waiting various lengths of time after pressing power button to press various keys (trying to guess the point at which the msg to press xx key to enter setup. Have held keys down continuously for various lengths of time, up to a couple of minutes; have given computer ample time to see if it would ever start posting. Have tapped keys at various repeat rates. Have unplugged cpu, waited then replugged and repeated various tecniques.

It's a Gateway 700XL, with Microsoft wireless desktop elite keyboard and wireless intelimouse explorer 2.0 mouse and Viewsonic VA1912wb LCD monitor (since c.April '07). Tried F Lock, then the various keys and a wired keyboard/mouse--no luck. Bios: Intel Corp. MV85010A.15A.0049.P07.0204171416 04/17/2002. Processer: Intel pentium 4 CPU 2.20GHz. Graphics: RADEON 8500. Sound: Creative SB Live Series

As I said, I can't recall that the machine ever posted, from day one nearly 5 years ago. I just assumed it was the way Gateway configured it, and since everything was working fine I never bothered to explore it. At start, the screen is totally black until Windows opens. All apps have worked well, there's been zero malfunctions of hardware, except the original HD was replaced Sept '07. I've checked that cables, cards, memory and cords are tight/seated. Think I will go back and check again. I've read that even a bad psu could cause this, though I don't see how. I doubt it could be the monitor, especially since I believe the machine never posted, pre-monitor change. Thought I would do a monitor self-test but can't see any provision for this in manual or menus.

This forum is surely not the appropriate one for seeking help on this issue (although getting into the bios is a step critical to making TI backup/restore work), so I've been searching Gateway user forums for tips but have found none. Will check into some Windows and general computer tech groups for ideas. But, if someone here has any ideas about what the problem might be (software or hardware) and solutions, I'd welcome them. Does anyone know of any ways, or utilities, available to force your way into setup?

 

Did the computer come with the Microsoft wireless desktop keyboard and mouse? If not, have you tried the orginal keyboard?

Was the original keyboard USB or PS2?

Does the computer have built-in graphics or does it have a dedicated graphics card (in an AGP or PCI-E slot)? If add-on card, do you see any POST info if you connect the monitor to the built-in VGA connector?

Some boards have a jumper to reset all the BIOS settings back to default values or to even restore a "base" BIOS. Sometimes changing memory amounts (adding or removing memory) will cause a warning message and stop the boot. Usually, at this stage it will say something like Press F1 to enter BIOS and check settings or Press F2 to continue.

 

I'm not quite sure if I looked at the right manual, but it said to press and hold F1 during startup to enter the BIOS. Have you tried holding the F1 key down from the time the computer is turned on?

Also, make sure it's a cold boot (remove power for 30 seconds, then reconnect before booting). Some computers have problems getting into the BIOS on a warm boot.

 

Also check under Start/programs. Some computers have a utility which must be started in order to access bootup changess.

 

Wireless keyboard/mouse added, but I don't think it posted even with the original PS2 keyboard, which I can't locate (may have given away); did try another PS2 key board, though.

Dedicated AGP

I don't think it has built-in VGA connector. Here's view of the Intel (Lexington) 2.2 GHz P4 motherboard:

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/2515556/2515556mv.shtml

Here's the bios jumper:

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/2515762/2515762mvr19.shtml

Perhaps if I jumped posts 2-3 (configure) it would force the setup menu?

None here.

 

Success, of sorts! For the benefit of anyone else who experiences the issue we've been discussing here:

I removed my DVI monitor cable and hooked up the VGA cable, booted up and tapped F1, the Gateway splash screen appeared (never did before) and went into setup. The odd thing is that boot priority was already set for ATAPI CD-ROM 1st [that's my DVD-RAM], HD 2nd, removable device 3rd and floppy 4th.

Before all this, since I had been unable to get into setup, I had tried more than once putting Mustang's installation CD in the first drive (DVD-RAM) and restarting and it never booted to that CD.

Now I boot to that CD and get options to, I believe, install XP, repair XP, etc. or press F3 to get out. I wasn't sure what I'm supposed to see when I boot to this CD. Mustang, can you explain please.

I'm now at the stage of building the BartPE CD, so maybe when that is done all this will fall into place, and I will be able to boot to BartPE and test restore my image. Thanks,

Bob