Best product when restoring a backup to different hardware?

Hi,

I am still testing SSR 2011 and IFW. While I'm testing I'm learning about all the various things to consider when doing a restore.

Which software, even if it's different from SSR 2011 or IFW, would you recommend (based on actual experiences) as the best product for restoring to different hardware? Whether that hardware difference is a hard drive, or a motherboard, etc?

Thanks!

Peter

 

I've had good luck using Symantec BESR (predecessor to SSR). That said, when restoring to dissimilar hardware you often need to reactivate apps and some even require reinstall. Windows will often ask to be reactivated.

And, if you have RAID, you can have some trouble getting that sorted out on new hardware. Some are easier than others. Some are downright a PITA.

Its obviously less painful than a complete reinstall, but its certainly not painless.

 

Peter,

Have a look at this video...

"Restoring to dissimilar hardware using Image for Linux (video)"

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/howto/index.htm

 

EaseUS Todo Backup Advanced Server has worked excellently many times for me. All I do is sort out a few drivers after a restore which is to be expected.

 

Acronis has a Universal Restore feature. You can check it here . Paragon also has Adaptive Restore here.

 

Thanks claykin, Brian, zapjb, and Dundertaker,

Sorry for the late appreciation note. Been absolutely swamped and sidetracked.

Much appreciate your responses however. I'm going to revisit my backup needs in the New Year when I have moment to breathe . . .

Peter

 

I have done actual restores with Shadow Protect and Macrium Reflect Pro (the latter from SSD to SSD) to new hardware (after new motherboard and new hard drive) with success and no problems (two times on both) With Macrium I have done a restore to a smaller hard drive than the original with Macrium.
Image for win, which is as reliable in imaging/restore as the two mentioned first, I have not tried though) So, based on my actual experience I can recommend the two mentioned first.

 

You can use any imaging app you like to restore the image to the new hardware. If the restored OS doesn't load into Windows (and it probably won't) you can fix this with TBOSDT Pro. $15.

Recently a mate restored an image from an 8 year old computer (WinXP on an IDE HD) to a SSD in a computer with an Asus Z77 motherboard. He likes WinXP. We had it loaded into Windows within a few minutes.

 

Does this work if the migration is from a BIOS system to an UEFI one?

 

Robin,

I've been asking the "same" question lately but UEFI to MBR BIOS. I don't think it works.

In the computer I quoted above, we disabled UEFI.

 

Do you mean this?
http://www.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-to-uefi/

1st Migrate to UEFI , then P2P OS Adjust

 

OOoo
God link there andylau: thx

... OK!

Thanks for reminding me about the Terabyte "how To" page Brian: I havent been there for a while, forgot what a great resource it is and the other good links there.

Sorry I havent been posting much lately: looks like you've got it covered. Heh.

The help page has reminded me about the early tutorials posted by Heffy, Lee Chappelle, and Steve Gruchawke: a great way to introduce yourself to the Terabyte tools .... I remember having a little epiphany when I found them.
http://www.heffy.com/image.htm
http://members.shaw.ca/bootitng/
ftp://terabyteunlimited.com/thirdparty/Quick Start-BING.pdf

We should recommend any new user go there first.

Back to AndyLau post: that looks interesting indeed.

And back to OP:

Ive used Shadow Protect and Terabyte tools to restore to dissimilar HW.
LOL: just recently ( I have really bad luck with HD's )

SP is a good, very good, back up and restore option feels a bit exxy at first but well supported and works.

The Terabyte tools give much more but can get a little techy around the edges until you realise how powerful and reliable the tools are.
Come here for help or go to Terabyte forums:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/ucf/index.php
bottomless well of info there.