Basic HDD system backup for win8.1

[Robint]

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

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

 

[samuria]

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

 

[Robint]

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?

 

[Barman58]

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

 

[Robint]

Now that is the dog' plums

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.

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