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Is it OK to restore a system partition using Non-stop partition backup on Windows 7?

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Most information I see indicates it is highly recommended to back up the W7 system reserved partition AND the W7 C:\ partition when you image the disk. I can understand this.

What is not clear to me is whether it is safe to restore only the C:\ partition when needed?

If so, is restoring from a non-stop partition backup the same as restoring from an image?

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You can just restore the Windows partition if that's all that's needed. For example, if you install a program and it causes problems with Windows, just restore the Windows partition. In most cases, the System Reserved partition does not need to be restored. If you're restoring to a new (blank) drive, you would need to restore both partitions.

You can restore from the Nonstop Backup. However, I don't recommend using it as the only backup. It's better to have some regular backup images too just in case you need them.

Thank you for your reply. Good to know I don't have to restore all the partitions. I definitely have another sector-based backup for the system.

I would like to clarify: is the non-stop backup file-based or sector-based?

The UI seems to make a difference between a *partition* non-stop backup (which I suppose could be sector-based) and a *file* non-stop backup. But then the running process is called the "file level CDP manager service" while I have chosen a partition non-stop backup...

It can do both types. If you want to be able to do a "normal" partition restore from the Nonstop Backup, select to back up the partition. If you just need it for a small number of files/folders, select just those to include.

If you look in the help, the "partition" method is for Protecting your system continuously and the "files" method is for Protecting your data continuously.

It sounds like you've done it the way you need it.

Mudcrab,

I have not been lucky. Just today I ventured into restoring the system with Non-stop backup, and I restored only the C:\ System partition (not the System Reserved hidden partition).

The restoration succeeded by messed up with Windows Activation. Upon rebooting, I got a warning that my windows copy might not legit and that I was entering a grace period.

I promptly restored a traditional full image of the disk.

Another problem with non-stop backup is that the various versions are NOT accessible from the recovery cd, only the last one. The only way to get to older versions I found was from Windows. This is what I used.

So far, I have not been lucky at all with non-stop backup and with try&decide :-(

As you've seen, if you're going to use T&D and NSB, it's best to also have standard image backups available. I've seen them both work and I've seen them both fail. Image backups are usually the best, in my opinion.

One time I tried to restore a NSB and it would just error. I tried later with the standard version (not the PP version) and it worked just fine. I don't understand why it had the problem, but it sure doesn't make me feel like it's solid.