Folder/file backup restore

If I do a folder/file backup of my hard drive, format the hd and then restore all of the folder/files will that drive boot as it should? If not, is that because the MBR will not be correct? If that is the case, could I restore the MBR from an image backup to get the drive to boot?
Thanks
John

 

Any ideas please?
Thanks

 

I don't think you get any of the partition info if you just do a dir/file restore. If you're not changing any of that, then that shouldn't matter.

 

A files/folder backup is not bootable. You need to have an image of the partition or disk for it to be bootable.

A reformat is not necessary if you are going to restore the partition. A full backup of all partitions (including hidden and diagnostic) will enable to to restore any partition included in the backup.

 

Thanks for your comments. I have an image backup but want to reformat the drive before restoring so a folder/file restore is my only option otherwise the formatted drive will be overwritten with the previous blocks etc from the image.

Could I not restore the MBR from the image backup to make the drive bootable or are not ALL the files backed up in a folder/file backup to make the drive bootable when restored?

Thanks again
John

 

If you want to reformat, you have only two choices.
1. Re-install Windows from the Windows install CD.
2. or, Restore the full TI image which means a reformat serves no value and is a waste of time.

The files and folders backup is not bootable when restored onto a fresh drive. You might(?) be able to restore files & folders backup after the full image restore.

 

Make sure the rescue CD will see all your harddrives before attempting a restore.

The alternative if Windows is still working (just), you can start the restore process from within Windows. TI will reboot the system to enable the restore.

The other thing, just in case you are very new to this, is make sure you have made an actual image including the MBR, and not mistakenly just made a files and folders backup.

Colin

PS. Sorry just seen your post count - ignore the sucking eggs and grandmother statement! :

 

Thanks guys for your replies. You confirmed my understanding that a folder/file restore will not boot. My next question is 'Why not?' Obviously there must be some missing files but why are they not backed up during the folder/file backup? The MBR could be replaced from the image backup.
Just wondering.

Would it be worth while for Acronis to consider making an option to backup folders & files in such a way that a drive could be reformatted and then the folder/file backup restored so the drive boots?

Thanks again.
John

PS Ok about the egg sucking and grannie.

 

I must be missing something here. If I want to be able to restore my system partition, my data partition or if not so separated the whole disk I would use imaging not files and folders backups.

In fact after several years with TI I have never used F&F backups. Partition or full drive images can be easily restored or they can be explored or mounted and specific files or folders can be viewed and copied to where ever one wants.

Xpilot

 

Xpilot. Thanks for your comments.
My question is that I want to reformat the hard drive before restoring the folders and files so that I have a 'clean' drive. If I restore the image backup that would overwrite my newly formatted hard drive.

Only problem is that the OS would not boot. Why? I can replace the MBR from the image backup but the drive would still not boot. Why? What is missing is what I want to know.
Thanks

 

Taking that route you would have to re-install your OS and all your programs. My own choice would be to embark on some serious house keeping of the OS to get it nice and polished again. OK that would not be a spanking clean as a new install but I doubt you would notice much difference . The time and anguish that would be involved to start from scratch is considerable and is the main reason I got an imaging program in the first place. I have never had to re-install XP since it was first released.

Xpilot

 

Thanks again Xpilot. I would still like to know what is missing from a folder/file restoration that prevents it from booting the OS.
John

 

Hello John Farrar,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please notice that if you restore MBR as well the system should boot. However, please be aware that the result (restored system) will be no different than if one did an image backup and restore (unless sector by sector method was used in both operations), but the operations' time considerably longer.

If you have any further questions concerning Acronis software, please feel free to submit a request for technical support or post any of them on this forum. We will certainly try to help you in resolving any issues.

Thank you.
--
Marat Setdikov

 

Marat. Thank you for your reply.
I am confused (which is not difficult!) If I reformat the drive before restoring, why would the hard drive, after a folder/file restore, be the same as an image restore? If the formatting process corrected any errors etc. you are saying that the folder/file restore would put the drive back to the original condition, errors and all? Why?
Thanks
John

 

Hello John Farrar,

We are sorry for the delayed response.

Please notice that if filesystem contains unrepared errors, the drive/partition will be automatically backed up in sector by sector mode. In this case, formatting the drive and restoring files/folders and MBR may be a method to get rid of errors indeed. However, please be aware that any files/folders which have errors will most likely be completely skipped during files/folders backup creation. If any of them is a system one, it may cause the restored operating system to not work correctly.

Thank you.
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Marat Setdikov