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Cloning Win7

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perdomot

Golden Member
I wanted to make a backup copy of my Win7 installation while I try out various software to see what works but discovered my old copy of Norton Ghost, circa 2003, could do it and kept getting an error message. Tried both making an image and doing a disk to disk clone and both failed. Anyone used a particular program to do this successfully?
 
I tried with Acronis and it didn't work. But you can always use imagex from Microsoft to do it.
 
I cloned my Win 7 drive using Acronis TrueImage 2009 (12) and the bootable rescue media created by Acronis. No problems.
 
I was thinking of trying Acronis but looks like a 50% success rate and the website doesn't even mention Win 7.
 
The first rule of cloning is never to do it from within the OS. Always use bootable media (Acronis boots to a Linux GUI with the Resceue Media) and it doesn't matter what the OS is on the source drive. It will be replicated completely on the target drive.

The only time the OS is indicated is to install the Acronis program. I install it on my XP Pro system - period. Then use the Acronis created CDR to do any machine anywhere. Installation used to be required to prepare the CDR. I create an ISO file, and from that I can make as many rescue disks as I need.
 
I use the latest version of GHOST, Version 11.5 from the Ghost Solution Suite "GSS" 2.5. Included with the suite is a bootable "dos" verions that looks the same as the old 2003 dos version. But has newer features, and supports vista and win7. Simple, small bootable solution. Works excellent. and once u have the boot dics, there is no need to have it installed on your system if you like.
 
Originally posted by: ty1er
I use the latest version of GHOST, Version 11.5 from the Ghost Solution Suite "GSS" 2.5. Included with the suite is a bootable "dos" verions that looks the same as the old 2003 dos version. But has newer features, and supports vista and win7. Simple, small bootable solution. Works excellent. and once u have the boot dics, there is no need to have it installed on your system if you like.
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Does that version let you clone mutliple drives on multiple machines, or is it like the last few Ghosts were you need a licensce for each new clone?
 
I just tried it using Acronis True Image version 11. (updated, originally said 9 by mistake)
I did it off a bootable cdrom. I used the Acronis version with the Linux kernel.
Worked fine.
 
Originally posted by: perdomot
I always clone with the bootable floppy myself. Will check out the products mentioned.
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I gave up on the bootable floppies a few years ago. Too many times they go bad, or the drive goes bad. I built a bootable Ghost cd a few years back, and True Image comes in a bootable cd.

 
I tried out the bundled Backup and Restore in Windows 7. It worked flawlessly and fast. I wanted to migrate my install to a larger drive and I was pleased with the simplicity.

This was done on a recent install and the applications, installed programs, and stored downloads all transferred perfectly. I hadn't loaded up any music files, pictures or video, so there weren't a lot of files to move. I only needed one DVD to backup, but it will call for more if you have a huge drive.

Windows 7 eliminates the need for additional disk imaging programs, but only if you're not transferring huge amounts of files.
 
Originally posted by: Zedtom
I tried out the bundled Backup and Restore in Windows 7. It worked flawlessly and fast. I wanted to migrate my install to a larger drive and I was pleased with the simplicity.

This was done on a recent install and the applications, installed programs, and stored downloads all transferred perfectly. I hadn't loaded up any music files, pictures or video, so there weren't a lot of files to move. I only needed one DVD to backup, but it will call for more if you have a huge drive.

Windows 7 eliminates the need for additional disk imaging programs, but only if you're not transferring huge amounts of files.
Click to expand...

Seconded. Works flawlessly for me.
 
Originally posted by: jobz
Does Backup and Restore run off the install disk or within Windows?
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: corkyg
The bundled B&R is done from within Windows 7.
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The system restore backups are done within Windows but this is done with a boot disk.

Backup and Restore gives you the option of creating a repair disk that you configure in your BIOS to boot from the CD. You then follow the prompts to access your second disk which has the image that you wish to copy. The process will create and format the partitions to be exactly like your image.

When you move to a larger capacity drive, like I did, you will have to work in Disk management to configure the extra space.

 
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