Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer

[ute]

Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer

Hello,

The DVD writer in my notebook became defective, hence I have to send it in
for repair.
They told me they will have to re-format the hard drive and install the
original software
to be able to check the replacement DVD writer.

So this is the reason why I will now buy an external hard drive and do my
first
'Back up your entire computer'. I read through the help information but
something is unclear:

Do I need to install Vista Ultimate before I can Restore the back up?
(I feel I will have to...)

What happens with that 'new' Vista Ultimate installation during/after the
restore procedure,
because the 'old' Vista Ultimate installation is also part of the back up?

Will it be overwritten?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Malke]

Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer

Hello,

The DVD writer in my notebook became defective, hence I have to send it in
for repair.
They told me they will have to re-format the hard drive and install the
original software
to be able to check the replacement DVD writer.

So this is the reason why I will now buy an external hard drive and do my
first
'Back up your entire computer'. I read through the help information but
something is unclear:

Do I need to install Vista Ultimate before I can Restore the back up?
(I feel I will have to...)

What happens with that 'new' Vista Ultimate installation during/after the
restore procedure,
because the 'old' Vista Ultimate installation is also part of the back up?

Will it be overwritten?

I'll let someone else who is expert with Vista's backup & restore answer
questions about it. I'm just going to suggest that you use something I
consider better - an imaging program. I prefer Acronis True Image, but
there are other imaging programs out there. You install the imaging
program, make a bootable CD from within it*, image your drive and store the
image on the external hard drive. Then when you get the new drive, just
restore the image you made.

*If you buy an imaging program retail, the installation CD will usually act
as bootable media to do the restore. If you download the program and don't
have a physical installation CD, make the bootable CD.

Malke

 

[ute]

Thanks for your answer!

Though special imaging programs undoubtedly may have advances,
I hope I don't have to buy one. I decided to buy ULTIMATE just because
the 'Back up your entire computer' and the 'Fax' feature. Was much more
expensive than Home Premium.

I really hope ULTIMATE can do what I need...

 

[Malke]

Thanks for your answer!

Though special imaging programs undoubtedly may have advances,
I hope I don't have to buy one. I decided to buy ULTIMATE just because
the 'Back up your entire computer' and the 'Fax' feature. Was much more
expensive than Home Premium.

I really hope ULTIMATE can do what I need...

Understood, although people whom I respect have said that they don't care
for the Vista backup program. If you don't get an answer here, then you
might want to look for a Vista backup newsgroup:

http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups

Good luck and sorry I wasn't able to help you.

Malke

 

[ute]

Thanks. No such group found!
I think I wait a while, maybe someone else will answer...?

 

[Steve McGarrett]

Thanks. No such group found!
I think I wait a while, maybe someone else will answer...?

Vista backup absolutely sucks.

 

[ute]

Hi SIW2,

Run off the cd first - it prompts you to.

I don't understand... What will prompt me?
After downloading Macrium I wouldn't have a CD!?

If you have enough time and space , you can use
the Vista Backup program...

Why would I need more time and space?
If I would use Vista Backup, would I have to boot from
the original Vista DVD later to be able to restore from my USB HD?

Thanks!