Complete PC Backup

[PPG]

Hi, i'm new to this but recently bought new computer and following all the
advice i did a complete backup of my computer via the Backup/restore window
instructions to a 200gb Maxtor external HDD . when i thought i would test
out the procedure to restore complete pc from system image backup as per the
instructions. i chose to "restore using pre-installed recovery" procedure -
i get to step 3 but cannot find "Repair Your Computer" on the "advanced boot
options" screen. .....confused?? how do i actually go about to restore my
computer if i have a catastrophic failure. ps the copy of vista ultimate is
an OEM copy supplied when i bought the computer and although i can use it to
reinstall a clean OS i thought i should be able to restore from my Maxtor -
any assist greatly appreciated

 

[PPG]

Thanks shawn,
my OS is 32 bit so i'm not sure if that make a diff to the web link but i
will try it anyway. how do i know if i have an "installation dvd" because
the disc i've got is licensed only for distribution with a new pc and it
doesn't seem to be a bootable disc ie only seems to run with the computer up
and running ??

 

[AJR]

Some confusion regarding "... i chose to "restore using pre-installed
recovery" procedure.... '

"pre-installed recovery" refers to the OEM installed recovery partition -
this is not an option regarding restoring from Complete PC Backup.

What directions were you following? Restoring the backup must be done via
booting from the Vista DVD.

 

[Chuck]

Remember tha quite a few "OEM" P/Cs have an OEM peculiar restore proceedure,
and the image may be on the hard drive in a hidden partition.

 

[John]

Hi PPG,

Take a look at this tutorial on restoring a complete PC backup to see
if it can help you. There may have been a step you overlooked
somewhere. This shows you how to do it from booting from your Vista
installation DVD.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/99718-restore-complete-computer.html

Shawn


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That is a fabulous job, Shawn! Especially since the Vista backup has a
bare, inadequate amount of documentation.

Do you have any idea how to tell what has been backed up? I'm referring to
the directories in previous backup programs that show what is in the backup.
I know that suggests file backup, but I am mainly concerned with complete
backups.

For example, in complete backup, when my backup disk gets full, it's
supposed to delete the oldest backup(s) to make room for the new backup, but
it doesn't. The timeline turns red and says there is no room for the backup
on the device.

I tried to go into the backup device and delete the oldest dated files, but
I've tried it file by file until the backup is completely deleted and I
still get the red timeline. The only way I have found to fix it is to
format the drive!

Using the formatted drive, backup works again. But before the backup runs
it gives a description of the oldest backup on the device (August 31 in my
case) and the date of the last backup (which would be December something).
Now understand that I just got done formatting the disk, then restarted the
backup program which is now telling me that I have backups!

I don't know where it is getting this information, but since I formatted the
disk, I know all my old backups are gone. I sure would like to see some
better way of knowing what has been backed up--that I can trust.

John