Imaging disk results in no MBR, and unallocated target drive!?!?!

Forgot to add, thanks for any suggestions....

Tell us more about the type and content of the backup which was restored

Was this a partition type backup or a disk option type backup?
If partition type backup, what was included.

Was the restore completed via the TrueImage Recovery CD?
if yes, was the partitions restored individually into pre-conceived partitons or did you prepare the partitions during the restore?
Was the mbr/track0 not offered during the restore?

Not knowing your answers, my initial respose would be to do a new backup and for it to be a full disk image backup (see signature link 2 below, first picture); or a backup from the CD where the disk block is checked so all partitions included.

For the restore, my suggestion would be signature link 3 below, item #1 and use both the
"Add new disk" option,
Restore each partition individually.
Restore the track0/mbr option.
and select the "Recovery disk signature".

PS: Be aware that I am not familiar with the effect of Ubuntu

GroverH wrote:

T

Was this a partition type backup or a disk option type backup?
If partition type backup, what was included.

Was the restore completed via the TrueImage Recovery CD?
if yes, was the partitions restored individually into pre-conceived partitons or did you prepare the partitions during the restore?
Was the mbr/track0 not offered during the restore?

Not knowing your answers, my initial respose would be to do a new backup and for it to be a full disk image backup (see signature link 2 below, first picture); or a backup from the CD where the disk block is checked so all partitions included.

1. It was a "Clone Partition"...
2. The restore was initiated from the installed version....which, after it was configured with the proper mappings/sizing from disk1 to target disk 2, shut down and then rebooted to its 'copy' environment (sans any OS), and proceeded to do the copy. At the end, it said something similar to Copy Completed Successfully, I hit return key a few times, and TI exited, and then the machine rebooted into XP
3. Partitions individually restored into pre-conceived partitions? I don't understand...The target HD is a new WD...I formatted it (NTFS) so I could ensure it worked before I did the image copy. I did a 'manual' copy in TI, where is asked me to specify the new target partition size for each of the existing partitions. e.g. my exist C partition is 40 GB, and I wanted the new partition on the target HD to be 60 GB, and similarly for each of the existing partitions...each new partition on the target HD was increased in size by at least 20%.
4. There was no MBR option suggested in any way during the image copying process.
Um, 'Offered during restore?" I am not restoring anything, I simply want to make an sector/track binary copy of the source HD onto the target HD with the appropriate physical mapping changes because of different disk sizes/geometry. I also expected the MBR to be a binary copy to the new HD with the appropriate corrections to accommodate for different disk size.

Three of the 4 partitions are typical windows xp .exe files, anda the usual file types windoz supports, eg. .txt, doc(x), jpg, etc.
the ubuntu partition is a binary image and is a VM that runs under virtual box which is installed on one of the windoz partitions. I don't care if it gets hammered in the process, I can always recreate it...but is does not make sense why this file simply cannot be copied (e.g. bit by bit) to new location? The only thing different would be the physical mapping to the new HD, the VM environment would take care of the file mapping within the virtual image.

Unless I mis understand the definition of 'backup'....how would that help me achieve my goal? I simply want a cloned binary image of my existing HD onto a larger HD (with partition mappings adjusted accordingly) so that when I take my target disk and place it in my laptop, it works exactly like the old disk... To me, backup implies a copying of files in the same file structure as the original, sans physical mapping information (such as location on disk which is typically done in the doubly linked list in the OS file structure).
Unless in the Acronis world, they have a different inferred meaning of 'backup'....which is one reason I hate the imprecise definitions that are around...but that is another rant...)
Thanks for your input...
Look fwd to your reply based on my additional information.
best regards,
J

Yes, it is very easy to get confused both your reading mine and my reading yours as some terms have different meanings to different people. Let me provide a brief overview.

TrueImage(TI) can be executed from within Windows or from a TI bootable CD or TI bootable Flash drive. It is possible to produce a bootable replacement disk from either method. The use of the TI Recovery CD is the preferred and most successful method.

TI offers two methods to duplicate an existing disk which is either using the Clone function; or using the Backup and Restore method. The final results (a bootable replacement) are basically the same either method.

The clone is at disk level or the total contents (all partitions) of the original disk is copied onto the new target disk overwriting all contents of the target disk. The risk in closing is a user mistake in disk selection; or a program malfunction or power outage. Numerous postings on the forum of data on the original disk being totally lost.

The backup and restore method is that a full disk image (all partitions) is first performed which creates a single backup file with a tib extension restorable onto a new or old disk. Generally speaking, most of the volunteers helping the forum prefer the Backup and Restore method. The backup & restore method is the safer method but it does take longer--but safer. Safer in that after the backup creation, the source disk is not used or connected--therefore not at risk.

Here is the recommended method of cloning by Acrons.
. 2931 Cloning Laptop Hard Disk

1. Cloning operation performed when booted to the TI Recovery CD.
2. Source disk removed from its original connected position, and connected elsewhere--such as in a different drive bay or external enclosure or usb adapter/connector.
3. Blank (unallocated) disk in installed inside the computer on same connector as old.

4. Type of clone.
Option A: Initially , select Automatic but when on the final summary screen, inspect the resulting partition sizes (bottom of screen where partitions are displayed.
If sizes acceptable, then continue. However,
If sizes NOT acceptable, then stop and CANCEL. Re-start the clone process but select the MANUAL MODE.

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Option B: Manual mode:
The MANUAL opiton MOVE mode offers 3 options. The capability to clone "AS IS" (retain same partition sizes); or MANUAL RESIZE of each partition. Either method will require some dexterity on your part. (The proportional method was what was used in the automatic mode and not desired here.)

If you choose the move method "AS IS", you can always change the partition sizes afterwards fairly easily using any of the free partitioning utilities. Note! I WOULD NOT USE THE PARTITION MAGIC (from several years ago) partitioning tool as it is not compatible with the new Advanced Format style partitioning.

If you choose the Manual mode so you can control your own partition sizes, then click on signature link 1 and review index item 3-VV which is an example of cloning to a larger disk. You will note that the 3-VV guide had to adjust sizes out of sequence in order to get the final sizes correct. You will probably have to do the same as per my example.
------------------------------------------------------

Should the above fail or you decide you want to perform the Backup and restore option, let me know and I gather up the instruction for a future post.

Very good, TYVM....
So If I chose option A...(Automatic Clone) where basically the disk contents are copied into 4 separate partitions and TI makes the decision about how big to make the partitions.......can I then use another tool to resize and also create another partition, without any bad side effects? I want to increase the number of partitions from 4 to 6.

OR.
I can try manual mode, and specify the partition sizes, as per your option B.
What will happen to the 'unused' (the left over space after I specify partitions) space? How will it appear on the disk?

Given what I want to achieve, and knowing the way the program behaves as you do, what would be your suggestion on how to accomplish my goal?

tyvm
-J

Hmmm, isn't this amusing....
"2. Source disk removed from its original connected position, and connected elsewhere--such as in a different drive bay or external enclosure or usb adapter/connector."

When I insert my original system disk into a HDD usb enclosure, per the outline above, put my new HD in laptop, insert TI 2010 in the optical drive and boot the machine....select cloning and get the message (paraphrased): This program needs two disks installed, you have only 1.

Investigating resulted in that Acronis sees the SATA disk, and not the disk (my original system disk) in the USB adapter/enclosure.

Took the original disk+usb adapter/enclosure to two other PCs, they had no trouble recognizing the disk....now I have another issue to scratch my head about...very strange....

Most likely the issue was the adapter/enclosure. I have seen the adpter have issues--perticularly the Sabrent version.

As to your original question, which option to use, either is a tossup.
Your best chance of a disk that will boot is the "AS IS" option. But the other could work as well.
Your biggest issue may be how your current partitions are configured or arranged.
That is, which are primary and which are logical and how they fit into the overall picture as to which is which.
As you are only allowed 4 primaries, you will need to have no more than 3 and the rest to be logical.
It is possible, you may have to delete some existing partitions inorder to add additional ones. How do they currently appear in Windows Disk Management?

Option B or Manual is something you can practice. It is practice all the way up to the final step where your option is to PROCEED OR CANCEL. If you choose the CANCEL option at that point, it is all just practice and no changes made to either disk. Current partition arrangement could be a factor here as well.

A very important question.
What are your plans for Recovery if you lose your Source disk due to whatever reasons. You really do need plan for that. What I am saying is that you really need to have either a full backup or a alternate disk which is bootable--just in case. If your computer was to freeze during any of all this, the source disk is at risk!