Image for DOS - Image Restore Options

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by TheKid7, Nov 11, 2008.

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  1. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    If I restore an Image with Image for DOS what, if any, options should I select in the Options Menu?

    Thank you.
     
  2. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    TheKid7,

    If it's just a standard restore to the same HD (over the top of an already present partition) or a restore to a new HD with partitions, I choose...

    Set Active
    Validate Before Restore

    (Save Log is selected by default)

    If it's a restore to a new unpartitioned HD, I choose...

    Set Active
    Write Standard MBR Code
    Validate Before Restore


    I've tried the other choices in testing, but for standard work, they aren't needed.
     
  3. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    I just did some more tests. There is no need to select "Write Standard MBR Code" when restoring to a new unpartitioned HD. Boot code is written whether you select that option or not.

    If you have a special MBR you may want to select Restore First Track (Auto). This option will not restore partitions that you don't want restored. It's safe.
     
  4. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Brian K: Thank you for your comments.

    I have also seen this recommendation:

    "use set active, update boot.ini and either write standard mbr code or restore first track" is probably better. You'd want to validate before restore if restoring over an existing working OS since if the backup file was corrupted and it was half way through then it overwritten operation system would no longer work.

    In response to selecting none of the options except the default "Log":

    Yes, if an entire drive backup. If only the partition then they may want to use set active, update boot.ini and either write standard mbr code or restore first track (manual covers it).
     
  5. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    The Update boot.ini function in IFW/IFD is the best I've seen. But it will rarely be necessary to use this function. If you use it when it is not necessary, no harm will be done.

    The partition number in boot.ini depends on the order of the primary partitions in the MBR, NOT the order of the primary partitions on the HD. Mostly the orders match, but not always. You can view the primary partition order in the MBR with tools such as MBRWork and ptedit.

    For example, Dells usually have a diagnostic partition and then a WinXP partition. The latter is invariably partition(2) in the MBR. If you restore an image of WinXP to a new unpartitioned HD then choosing Update boot.ini will be appropriate. If you restore an image of the diagnostic partition and then restore an image of WinXP you don't need to select Update boot.ini. But it doesn't matter if you do make the selection.
     
  6. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

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    Brian K.: Thank you for your help.

    I did an Image for DOS File Restore last night and it went well. I selected Set Active and Validate Before Restore.
     
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