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Create a Backup image of a disk with Safeboot

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Hello,
Does anyone know how to create a backup image of a disk (laptop- win xp) which has Safeboot encyption on it? I tried it with TI 2009, after restore i could see the content as USB drive but it was not booting. it gives a Safeboot error at start up.

has anyone successfully imaged and restored a drive with safeboot on it ?

thank you
Armin

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Hello Armin,

Let me help you.

Acronis True Image may fail to back up or restore partitions or files encrypted by specialized software.

The following situations can occur:

  • Acronis True Image may fail to access an encrypted partition from Windows and thus will not back it up.
  • Acronis True Image may back up an encrypted partition from Windows, but restoring such a partition will make it unencrypted. If an encrypted system partition is backed up and then restored, then the machine will become unbootable after the restore. This is only true when working in Windows.
  • Some files may be missing in the backup.

Acronis True Image can always create a raw (sector-by-sector) backup of an encrypted partition when booted from Acronis Bootable Rescue Media.

If the encryption key is based on the hard drive or some hardware serial numbers, a sector-by-sector copy may not work as expected. The best solution will then be to create the backup in Windows. Then, when restoring it, do it as you would do it normally. The only difference is that after the restore you will need to rebuild the MBR. See Restoring Windows Boot Loader Manually.

Please reply to this thread if you have any additional questions.

Thank you.

My company uses Safe Boot encryption on our laptops. I have been using true Image 11, up to the point of Safe Boot being deployed. Can I count on TI making a good backup from which I can restore my C: drive?

These comments are pretty old by now, and the suggestions are full of uncertainties and complications. But the problem is still a real one for corporate users with Safeboot encryption. Any new and more complete solutions?

We need a full image reliable backup to avoid the massive special program reinstalls when the usual coprorate IT can only get the basic core system reinstalled. Much more than just adding your PST files and data - days of work.

These days, the large hard drives needed are more crash prone, and the corporate virus protections are not very reliable. Safeboot is really prone to viruses rendering the drive useless.

The situation is the same with the latest version, and with disk encryption technology support/workaround in general.