Basic HDD system backup for win8.1

Robint

New Member
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:p Tell me guys am I being a numpty here

Ive got so much conflicting advice on this elementary subject that my brain is fried.

Taking a simple view, can I insert a spare sata drive same type as my C drive unit (new one to be called now called E drive) and then using some suitable s/w create a clone image of C onto E, assuming that all my data aka libraries are held on say hdd F a removable hdd or such. In the event of C hdd failure, can I swap in my E drive to the C slot and boot up as normal, or has M$ f****** this up for us

Macrion salesmen need not apply - they are remarkably coy about answering this simple question, very suspicious:cool:

pls note there are different names for this type of operation - cloning, iso disk image, system restore, boot disk, disk copy and so on, all very coy about details, black arts only known to nerds?

Sincere advice would be much appreciated

Robin
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    asus essentio i7
    CPU
    intel i7
    Motherboard
    h61
    Memory
    6g
    Browser
    ff
You can or you can create images which gives you more backups but you would need a new drive to restore it. You proberley will have to boot from a clone software cd to do it as most can create images live but not clone as windows will be writing to the drive
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 pro
So what you are saying, which makes sense, is that in order to clone my C drive with W8.1 and apps - no personal data, I would have to remove the disk and instal it on another machine as a secondary drive and then use some s/w to clone that disk onto another fresh drive

Is this the only way to reliably make a back up system disc?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    asus essentio i7
    CPU
    intel i7
    Motherboard
    h61
    Memory
    6g
    Browser
    ff
Firstly,

Windows does not use the Hard disk ID as part of the licensing criteria so a failed hard drive will not cause any licensing issue, especially for OEM copies which are licenced by code on the TPM module

Terminology

A clone is used to transfer an Operating system from One hard Disk to another, normally larger disk, to allow the system to expand further than the original drive needs. It can also on occasion be useful in the case of approaching hardware failure.

A Disk image is used to back-up a working copy of the operating system such as if can be recovered in the event of a total failure - these images should be made on a regular basis, This may be to another internal drive but preferably to a separate Drive external to the system connected by USB or Esata. The drive should be stored off-site from the original system to cover for major disaster such are flood, theft and fire.
I personally perform a full system image of my C: drive and the related essential other partitions ( System Reserved) once a week, And before performing any major software upgrade, (Windows or 3rd Party)

Suggestions

For your situation, as I perceive it, you need to organise a Disk Imaging system for your set-up. Microsoft does include a basic disk image system in Windows 8.1 but my and other professional opinions, and years of experience believe this to be of a lower level of functionality and especially reliability then even free 3rd party offerings. I use a commercial version of Aomei backupper as I can schedule both system and data backups automatically but the Free version allows the same types of backups but with less automation. The same differences between paid and free versions also applies to other available software from EaseUs, Macrium and others.

Have a look at which functions you really need and choose a software solution for disk imaging, You may be able to use a USB stick to store the actual image(s), ( I keep 2-3 full data backups, c. 1.5TB each, and 3-4 System Disk Image sets, c. 50GB) so use an 8TB external drive) Also I would consider testing the system you chose, after setup of the recovery media, before you have a failure, - create a system image of a temporary partition, wipe the partition and use the image you created to fully restore it - this way you will have confidence if you ever do have a failure, Hardware software or malware caused
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
    Cooling
    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K710 & K270
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
    Internet Speed
    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2017
    Other Info
    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
Now that is the dog' plums:D

Home users (vs pros) don't tend to think of the devious M$ updates thrust upon the unwary and the need for a proper system backup. Especially the case in the malicious Win 10 OS which is utterly outrageous:eek:.

Board members have persuaded me to go Macrium, so I will see where that leads me

Imagine all the millions out there going along blissfully unaware of being on the edge of a piece of piddle created by M$

What amazes me is that the tech press have been remarkably mute on this vital topic and havent been screaming from the roof tops in the case of W 10. What does that tell me? bite the bullet and go Ubuntu

Cheers and many thanks for your sound advice. I wish every home user would get this message.

Robin:dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    asus essentio i7
    CPU
    intel i7
    Motherboard
    h61
    Memory
    6g
    Browser
    ff
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