Using TI2016 With Multiple Partitions
I have a laptop PC running Win10 Pro 64bit, 1TB SSD, TI 2016.
The 1TB drive is split into two partitions. The first (C:) contains Windows & apps and is about 100GB. The second (D:) contains data and has the remainder of the space. I use TI to backup just the first partition. I always create full backups.
My issue pertains to recovering the first partition which, fortunately, I've had to do only once. The problem I ran into was that the process of recovering the first partition wiped out everything on the second partition.
My question: if I ever have to do this again in the future, how can I recover the first (C:) partition without touching the existing second (D:) partition?
Thanks!
Peter
FtrPilot,
Thanks for the reply and suggestions!
First, some further background. In this particular PC (a laptop) my "system disk" (C) and my data disk (D) are two different partitions on the same physical disk. (Since the laptop has room for only one physical disk.) So, the distinction between a disk and a partition is a little blurred.
I use TI just for the C drive/partition. It's the boot drive that has Windows and all programs. If it crashes I can use TI to quickly restore it and I'm back in business.
I have no need to use TI to back up my D drive/partition. All of that data is backed up multiple times a day using other means. If the D drive/partition ever crashes it's just a matter of copying the files back which is easy. To include D in my TI backups would make the backup process take a very long time and would make the .tib file huge.
I always do full backups; never incremental because I want one backup file that is complete, self-contained.
So, when you recommend that I should backup my entire system disk using disk mode, will that backup just the C partition or will it backup the entire physical drive (C & D)?
Again, my goal is to be able to restore the C drive/partition without affecting D which, in this case, is just the 2nd partition on the same physical drive.
Any thoughts?
Peter
Part of the problem is, your C: drive isn't the only parition that needs to be backed up to do a complete OS recovery (in most cases). Generally a Windows install will have at least 2 partions, one of which must be the System Reserved Partition that contains the bootloader information. Normally, there will be another Recovery Partition (windows creates one too), and possibly even another Recovery partition from the manufacturer if you have a generic PC (Dell, HP, etc). If you truly want to recoverable OS, you will need not only the C: drive, but you should be backing up the System Reserved Partition too (just in case).
As for you restoring the C: partition and overwriting both the C and D, not sure how that's possible either. If you select the correct recovery file (assuming it is just the right C: partition) and point it to the correct partition to restore to (what was the C: drive drive that you are replacing with a backup of from an earlier point in time), it it should only overwrite that partition. Perhaps you set the destination as the entire drive instead of just the partion - I'm not sure if that's possible, haven't tried.
Maybe try recovering to another "test" drive and see what happens. Partition your test drive similar to your curent setup, copy a few test files to partition 2 so you have something to check when it's all done. Push the original C drive backup to the existing C: drive partition and see if it works this time, or ends up with the same results you had before. At least if it goes badly again, it's only on a test drive and not your real data.
Peter,
I am, by no means, no expert here. I am just a long time TI user.
I have a system almost identical to yours.
HDD 1: C: OS (Win10 Pro) D: Data Only
HDD2: H: (Data backup storage Only)
I backup the C and D "Partitions" with separate tasks as a "Partition" backup.
I use the "Differential" mode for backups because the loss of just ONE incremental negates the entire backup string.
I have tested the RESTORE of my C:OS partition and the D: Data Partition to a NEW HDD and found this method to be perfect for me.
Something to remember, I do not have any of these OEM hidden and restore partitions to backup. My original drive was empty to start with.
I have 4 backup tasks: The reason I have 4: In case of failure of ether backup file.
The tasks are named:
Win10_A and Win10_B (Both Differential)
Data_A and Data_B (also differential)
I can crash and burn and as long as I have ONE good backup for the OS and Data, I am good to go...
AND..This method has been tested over and over....
Just hought I would pass along my method.
Steve
Bobbo_3C0X1,
Thanks for the reply.
First, I was incorrect in my description of what I actually backup. I said that I backup just the C partition. Correction: I backup the “Local Disk (C)” partition plus another partition called “Recovery” plus another small partition called “Unnamed partition.” I think, as you said, those are all of the partitions necessary to do a complete recovery. The point I was trying to make is that I do not backup the D partition (which is just for data).
I think I have figured out what I’m doing wrong. I will not be able to test it until next week. I will post an update here.
Peter
Perdido Beach,
Thanks for your help!
I think I have figured out what I'm doing wrong. I will not be able to test it until next week. I'll post an update here as soon as I do.
Peter
I figured out the cause of the problem: me.
Despite the fact that I've been using TI for years, when doing a recover I never noticed the switch near the top of the window to select Disks or Partitions. I always had it set on Disks which is correct for most of my PCs but not this laptop where the C and D drives are just separate partitions on the same physical drive.
Thanks to those who tried to help!
Peter