How does the GPT table fit into a backup/recovery scheme?

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floepie

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I will be receiving a new laptop shortly, namely the Yoga 13, whose SSD is partitioned into no less than 8 partitions from the factory. I suppose the first thing I'd like to do is backup the entire drive with all its original partitions before I start messing with it. I've heard good things about the free version of Paragon, so I think I will use that with their USB boot key.

Questions:
1. Would I indeed be able to restore the factory SSD *exactly* the way it was prior to backing up the entire disk, partitions and all, from an external USB drive?

2. How is a backup/restore related to the GPT table of the GPT disk? In other words, if I plan to wipe the disk and re-install W8 from media, doesn't this W8 install write to the GPT table? And if so, would a restore of the factory disk also restore that GPT table? Is this even something to worry about, or does the software (Paragon) deal with it somehow?

Thanks for any help.
 

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Hello flopie

Welcome to Windows Eight Forums:) ...
Have not used Paragon so am unable to help out with that.

Would recommend that you go the route of creating a Factory Recovery/DVD for your backup/restore, if available.
Some info on GPT can be found here - Windows and GPT FAQ

Hope this helps
 

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OK, thanks, but factory/recovery of the system partition is pretty straightforward. Windows can do that.

I'm just looking for a way to image the entire GPT disk (and all partitions) and put it back if need be bit for bit and the way it came from the factory and have it boot of course. Because, I plan to wipe the entire drive and install W8 afresh, which would create new EFI and "reserve" partitions in front of the system partition.

According to that MS doc to which you linked I see this:

Q.Is it possible to make a sector-by-sector copy of a GPT disk?
A.No. The Disk and Partition GUIDs will no longer be unique. This must never happen. You can make a sector-by-sector copy of the contents of ESP or basic data partitions.

This makes me wonder if the machine would boot if the backup were to be restored. Because I'm not cloning the drive to be used on another machine, perhaps it would work. But, I can imagine that there are a whole lot people just wanting to the same thing as I'm seeking (which I thought would be relatively simple).
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Core
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus UX302LA
information   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
​




You can use the Yoga version of
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?




Paragon 12 paid for has support for Windows 8 uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.

PARAGON Software Group - partition manager, drive backup, hard disk partitioning
 

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floepie said:
I will be receiving a new laptop shortly, namely the Yoga 13, whose SSD is partitioned into no less than 8 partitions from the factory. I suppose the first thing I'd like to do is backup the entire drive with all its original partitions before I start messing with it. I've heard good things about the free version of Paragon, so I think I will use that with their USB boot key.

Questions:
1. Would I indeed be able to restore the factory SSD *exactly* the way it was prior to backing up the entire disk, partitions and all, from an external USB drive?

2. How is a backup/restore related to the GPT table of the GPT disk? In other words, if I plan to wipe the disk and re-install W8 from media, doesn't this W8 install write to the GPT table? And if so, would a restore of the factory disk also restore that GPT table? Is this even something to worry about, or does the software (Paragon) deal with it somehow?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
FYI, check out this thread: Anticipating Dual Boot with Blue with Safety Net. We are interested in similar things, but I decided not to tag along here.
 

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