Another Clone or Backup/Restore
Just a quick note to begin. A few years ago I purchased True Image because of a problem with a HD on my desktop. It didn’t work as expected and Ilya did a great job of helping me. Although it took weeks to resolve the problem she never gave up and we finally found a fix. I really appreciate Ilya and the Acronis customer service group.
On to my problem ---
I have heard that one can get into trouble when cloning to a larger HD.
I see a number of posts about his and want to be sure I’m doing it correctly.
Details –
1. I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop with Vista and a 320 GB SATA HD.
2. On boot up I get a message that the HD is beginning to fail so I’ve purchased a new 500 GB HD.
3. I have Acronis True Image Home 2009 on my desktop and plan on loading it onto the laptop for this project.
4. I have a USB –HD adaptor to attach the new HD to the computer for the cloning operation.
5. When I’m done I’ll remove the old HD and install the new one.
Questions –
1. Is it OK to temporality install True Image on more than one machine?
2. How can I confirm that I won’t have the dreaded Dell MediaDirect problem?
3. Is cloning the HD the best-safest way or should I go the back-up/restore route?
4. If I do back-up/restore do I need to make new partitions on the target drive before I start?
5. Can I use the USB cable on the old HD, back-up to my desk top, and then restore to the new HD?
6. Will someone please send me a million dollars?
Simple clear answers will be appreciated!
a little help please!
OK I quess I have to eliminte question #6 to get some answers.
Questions –
1. Is it OK to temporality install True Image on more than one machine?
2. How can I confirm that I won’t have the dreaded Dell MediaDirect problem?
3. Is cloning the HD the best-safest way or should I go the back-up/restore route?
4. If I do back-up/restore do I need to make new partitions on the target drive before I start?
5. Can I use the USB cable on the old HD, back-up to my desk top, and then restore to the new HD?
6. Will someone please send me a million dollars?
Answers:
0. You do not need to install TrueImage in order to perform backups or restores or clones. You can download the Bootable Media ISO files and use the download to create an Acronis bootable CD. Check index items 2-G, 2-F, & 2-E for more info.
1. One licenses--one and the same machine.
2. Look at your disk via Windows Disk Management and note the types of partitions. Then research your specific machine on the Dell website.
3. Cloning is the least safest way to achieve your goal.
In theory, there should be no risk to the source drive during cloning as the disk is only read. In practice, however, there has been far too many postings of something going wrong during the process. Sometimes it is the operator choosing the wrong disk and cloning the blank onto the master; other times, the power fails during the process; at other times, the computer freezes and the the drive is lost. Simply stated, why take the risk of cloning when it takes on a few minutes longer to do a disk restore from a new or prior disk optin backup and the master disk is not even connected.
4. The preferred method is have the disk unallocated without any partitions. As part of a clone or as part of a restore, the partitions will be created by the program.
5. a. If performing a disk or partition restore with resize, your backup file can be stored any any alternate other drive (external or network,etc). This can be connected via usb or eSata or internal.
b. If performing a clone, remove the original and place it in an external enclosure or other alternate location. Place the new blank drive in its intended boot position (same location as prior original).
c. perform clone or disk restore or partition restore with resize when booted from the TIH Rescue CD.
d. After completion, shut down and reboot with only the new disk attached.
6. Buy another ticket on the lottery if you want another chance.