Backing up XP
I've been through this whole process using Acronis to backup my Windows 7 system. I've even gone so far as to test the Restore to verify it will actually work, by using a 2nd SSD.
Now, it's time to backup my XP Laptop. But one thing I noticed when I used Disc Management was there wasn't the extra partitions (i.e. no specific BOOT) partition. Is this noram? It looks like there is only one relevant partition. There is a 2nd partition but it's 100% empty, so I'm thinking that isn't necessary to backup.
Here is my Disc Management printout: http://www.msdsite.com/temp/XP_disc.jpg
Questions:
1) Why is there this 200MB partition, since I didn't create it (and it's 100% blank)?
2) Is just backing up C: enough to insure I get a bootable backup?
3) Is the boot record part of this single C: partition?
4) There isn't any indication, in this report that shows active, logical, etc. I assume that C: is the active partition
5) Regarding these two different partitions. Is there a specific order required. In the top screen, it shows the 200MB first. In the Disc 0 area, it shows the 200MB second. Does C: have to be restored at the beginning, or after the 200MB. I'm guessing beginning, since it probably contains the MBR.
I did perform the full backup on C: and it went ok. I did validate the archive. I also used the bootable media to verify I could boot and see this archive, which was installed on an external drive, using the USB port. So, it appears that I can boot to the media and access the external drive. However, I didn't actually restore anything.
Anything else I should be concerned about, based on what you see in the link? I won't be able to test the Restore, this time, so I need to be sure I capture everything needed.
Thanks,
Mike
Good idea. Never considered using file based restore to test it. I have already backed up the full drive, so I guess my archive is ok. I'll delete some unnecessary files and test the restore,
The one thing I still wonder about is on my other backups, there was a specific partition for booting. I don't see anything like that on this drive. I guess it's just part of the main C: partition.
Thanks,
I just deleted a bunch of photos and files in one of my duplicate directories, then did a restore of that folder and everything came back as expected. ;)
Good. That gives confidence that you'd be able to do a full restore.
If backup from within Windows, this is the view you want when selecting the entire disk to be included within the back.
1. In Select source, click on the Multiple partitions option
2. Then at top, click on the "Switch to disk mode" option
3. The first disk listed is usually your system disk but verify. Select the disk will cause all partitions to be included.
