Cookbook for preparing for a Crash using Acronis True Image Home
My main concern is having the ducks in line in case I cannot turn on the computer one day and need to replace it. I would like to be able to have my backup so designed that I can start up the new computer, plug my external drive in, and transfer a complete mirror image of the old computer to the new one. Can someone list the items I need (startup CD, for example), whether I need to install Acronis on the new computer (it may be on the Acronis CD that was created, but the User Manual does not say that), and which selection to make (for example, the selection of My Computer may or may not include the backup of the System State as they are listed separately).
I do not see such a cookbook in the User Manual. The Manual is looking at the trees and not the forest. Tech support referred me to the Forum. I will look for an answer here or you can email me privately at.
Many thanks,
Also, don't forget that you can't normally move an OEM Windows to another computer -- it won't reactivate automatically. If you're using a retail version of Windows this usually isn't a problem, though you may still need to call Microsoft.
You would want to create an Entire Disk Image backup (check the Disk # checkbox) using the My Computer option. A System State backup isn't needed as all that is included in the Entire Disk Image backup. A restore would most likely need to be done using UR (as stated by Seekforever) because of the hardware differences. However, there is nothing wrong with trying a normal restore (sometimes Windows can adjust successfully).
You would not have to install TI on the new computer. The restore can be done using the TI CD.
The other implied reality is that if you have say, XP and the new machine comes with Win7, then you will end up wiping out Win7 and replacing it with XP. You may want to do this but I wouldn't.
These are all good points, esp the reminder that a crash has a positive side to it, as long as I have the data. Probably it is a good idea to put purchased downloaded software on CDs and labeling the CDs as if they were the CDs sent by the company, for easier finding them if needed. The usual issue for me would be replacing the HD if it crashed and not the issue of replacing the computer, in which case I would buy one with W7 and not worry about the loss of my Vista OS.
Thanks for the help !! Stan
Based on reading this forum over the years, one of the biggest problems encountered by people having to reload software is being unable to find the key/serial number for various reasons. So I'll state the obvious, be sure you keep the numbers with the CD or other storage media. I have written them on the CD, in a text file contained with the executable files on the CD which incidently makes it easy to cut and paste them into the software's screen when necessary.
If anybody cares, I keep a text file of all my serial numbers as well and if I get a serial number by email I keep the email in a special folder. I find it very easy to overlook properly recording a serial in spite of the above!!