True Imagebackup but..

[Feilding]

I am using Acronis true Image version 9.

Really like the program. However, I am having some difficulties. I have many problems with my computer that require me to re-install Windows. Did all the backups before I commenced so all the information is available.

Problem is when I want to restore, the image will overwrite the Windows installation. This I don't want. In this particular installation I want to install a complete new Windows. Is there any way this can be done?

In case you are wondering why I would like to change the Windows installation, I purchased this computer with Windows already installed. In due course I discovered that the copy was not legal and now want to install a new purchased copy. I still want the non-windows data though.

[dwalby]

Originally Posted by Feilding

I am using Acronis true Image version 9.

Really like the program. However, I am having some difficulties. I have many problems with my computer that require me to re-install Windows. Did all the backups before I commenced so all the information is available.

Problem is when I want to restore, the image will overwrite the Windows installation. This I don't want. In this particular installation I want to install a complete new Windows. Is there any way this can be done?

In case you are wondering why I would like to change the Windows installation, I purchased this computer with Windows already installed. In due course I discovered that the copy was not legal and now want to install a new purchased copy. I still want the non-windows data though.

Could you just restore the last backup with ATI to get the computer back up and running normally, then do a Windows repair with your purchased disk? Not sure if that would have much effect or not on a working version of Windows, but it seems simple enough to give it a try.

The other option is to reinstall Windows from a reformatted disk, then restore just the folders you need from your last working backup. And while you're at it, put all your data folders in a different partition so next time you can just restore the OS and your data folders will remain unmodified.

[Feilding]

Originally Posted by dwalby

Could you just restore the last backup with ATI to get the computer back up and running normally, then do a Windows repair with your purchased disk? Not sure if that would have much effect or not on a working version of Windows, but it seems simple enough to give it a try.



The other option is to reinstall Windows from a reformatted disk, then restore just the folders you need from your last working backup. And while you're at it, put all your data folders in a different partition so next time you can just restore the OS and your data folders will remain unmodified.

re your first part

Windows repair would not install Windows or change the security information required.


As I understand it, Windows uses a Registry which records all details of every program installed. Simply installing programs does not allow them to run under Windows. One of the requirements of any back-up and restore system would have to be the re-installation (or updating) of this registry. It makes no difference where the programs (i.e. the installation files) are stored although Windows expects the executable files to be in the program folder.

I can not see that your method would allow me to run the programs.

[dwalby]

Originally Posted by Feilding

re your first part

Windows repair would not install Windows or change the security information required.


As I understand it, Windows uses a Registry which records all details of every program installed. Simply installing programs does not allow them to run under Windows. One of the requirements of any back-up and restore system would have to be the re-installation (or updating) of this registry. It makes no difference where the programs (i.e. the installation files) are stored although Windows expects the executable files to be in the program folder.

I can not see that your method would allow me to run the programs.

I was a bit brief the first time.

So to be more clear, you only have two choices: 1) recover your old and presumably working image back to your C: drive, along with all the working programs and data files installed on it, and don't worry about the legality of the copy, or 2) format the drive, re-install your purchased version of Windows, and re-install all the programs you had on the original system one-by-one.

If you choose option 2) you can still recover the data files from the original image even if you choose not to use that image to recover the OS. Those files are standalone and do not depend on the OS, and can be placed in any folder on any partition. By data files I mean the files you had created by using the various programs in question, not the files used to run or install those programs.

[jonyjoe81]

true image can't do what you want. You need a program like laplink pcmover. That's what I use when I transfered programs and settings from one OS to another OS. It'll transfer the registry settings and most of the programs I transfered worked on the new OS with no problems. It won't transfer antivirus or firewall programs, you have tor reinstall those.
If you don't have the original installation cd's for those programs that might be your only option.

[Feilding]

Originally Posted by jonyjoe81

true image can't do what you want. You need a program like laplink pcmover. That's what I use when I transfered programs and settings from one OS to another OS. It'll transfer the registry settings and most of the programs I transfered worked on the new OS with no problems. It won't transfer antivirus or firewall programs, you have tor reinstall those.
If you don't have the original installation cd's for those programs that might be your only option.

I was afraid you were going to say that. Unfortunately, I don't think much of the pay per use that Laplink entails so I will look around.

Thank for all your input.

[df75]

You should google for "change product key windows xp".

[Acronis Support]

Hello all,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please accept our apologies for the delay with the response.

As mentioned before, we can confirm that there are two ways to perform similar recovery:

1. Recover entire image with your operating system, then perform Windows Recovery
2. Install Windows from scratch, then recover separate files and folders from our image

Thank you.
--
Alexander Nikolsky