Disc Backup Boot Failure
I am a fairly new Acronis User. After several failed attempts I managed to do a system backup of my 32-bit Windows7 onto another hard drive, which was mounted in my computer. After ensuring that I could boot from it, I disconnected it and left it there.
I have recently securely wiped my hard drive and replaced 32-bit Windows7 with 64-bit Windows7.
I have tried twice to do another disk backup as before but it will not boot, and Windows will not repair the boot sector, saying it is corrupted. Can anybody please advise me (in words of one syllable please) how to rectify this, as I would love to have a copy of my fresh system ready to use before it gets cluttered?
Thank you.
Thank you for your help.
From the opening screen of True Image, I selected "Disk and Partition Backup", then "Switch to Disk Mode" and altered the backup type from "incrementel" to full.
If I unplug my original hard drive and connect the new one, everything looks to be there, but the boot section is clearly not complete, as I am unable to boot up from it.
You cannot boot from a Backup. An ATI backup is a compressed .tib image archive of your system. It's not bootable, and is not intended to be bootable.
As I said, if you were to Retore that image to a drive, that drive would then be a bootable exact copy of your system at the time of backup (assuming that you did a full disk mode backup, and did a full disk mode restore including MBR and disk signature).
Dear Tuttle,
Thank you very much for that. I am an OAP and my brain is nowhere near what it used to be!
I have to go now as I have sick family to look after, but I will try that and let you know if I am successful.
Thanks again for your patience.
Dear Tuttle,
Thanks once again for your advice. I have now done a fresh disk backup and restored it as you suggested.
I now have what I wanted: a copy of my system which I can connect and use should I have a problem with my main installation.
It is very time-consuming to wipe the disc, re-install Windows, replace all the programmes, find the registration numbers and passwords etc., so I am thrilled to have this.
You really don't need to tie up a disk with a restored image. The benefit of making ATI backups is that you can store many successive .tib backups on a single drive. If ever you need to restore one, you can do it at that point. Until then, you don't tie up an entire disk.
Thank you once again. I find Acronis does so much that I don't understand. This makes it complicated for someone of my limited abilities. It does not seem to have an "Idiot Mode" setting.
You have made my day! I will sign off now and wish you well.
Yes, it does have a bit of a learning curve. Check out the many user guides and tutorials in the left margin of this forum, particularly Getting Started and Grover's True Image Guides which are illustrated with step-by-step screenshots.
Thanks again for your help and patience.
I will certainly check out the links you mentioned.