Probability of success with restore

Does HP knows something about the computer that they haven't told you?

If there is software problems with the old disk, then these same problems would be restored onto the new disk.

From a restore stand point, your odds are very good of a successful restore if indeed, your backup includes everything. For safety sake, you could use the TI CD and create an additional backup and checkmark the disk as to what is to be included in the backup.

Version 11 is not Windows compatible but if you restore the whole backup (checkmark the disk as to what is to be restored as per links below), then you have a good chance of recovery.

I do strongly urge that when you get the computer back, you use the TI CD and make a disk option backup of the new OS so that if something should go wrong, you have another recovery opportunity. Also, if you look in the Accessories/system folder, it may give you an option to create a Windows Recover DVD. With this DVD, you would have an additional source of recovery back to the new Computer status.

Backup Restore Backing up using the TI CD
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/forum/2009/12/7027/Disk-op…
Disk restore using TI CD
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/forum/2009/12/7027/disk-op…

GroverH -

Thanks for your reply and advice. I'm not sure why HP thinks the restore won't be successful. The HD and software on it don't seem to be involved in the computer problem. Their thought is the motherboard is defective.

I plan to remove the HD from the computer when it is returned to me and install it in an external, USB HD enclosure so I can copy (backup using TI) the OS to another external HD using one of my other computers. Is this procedure equivalent to what you suggested?

GER

If I am understanding correctly, you have or will make a complete backup of your old disk (all partitions) and when the computer is returned after repair, you want to restore that backup overtop the new OS and I have recommended that a full backup (all partitions) be taken of the new OS before the old backup is overlayed onto the new disk.

My attachments illustrated how to use the TI CD and make a disk option backup or a disk option restore. If the backup does not include ALL of the partitions (including any without letters), the restore will not produce a bootable hard drive. To do a backup of the new disk, No reason to transfer the disk. Use the TI bootable media CD and take the disk option backup of the new disk while the disk still exists inside the new computer.

If you are not familiar with using the Cd for a backup, this link could help but it is the 2010 version but very similar. Remember, when using the TI CD, it can be practice or simulation all the way until the decision point of Proceed or Cancel. Click the Cancel button prevents the procedures from beginning.

sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2010/2010-tih-howtobackup1.pdf

You correctly understand my situation. I have already made a backup of the entire (old) HD. I had to transfer the HD to the external HD enclosure since the computer would not get through it's post routine and start the boot process. Very much a dead computer with no lights on the keyboard or optical mouse.

Once the repaired computer is returned to me, I can see the advantage of making a backup copy of the HD by using the TI CD instead of removing the HD and doing the backup using an external HD enclosure and another computer. I am not familiar with the TI CD. I purchsed TI as a download. Is the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" option the same as the TI CD you mentioned? I also see "Acronis Media Builder" as an option on the applications list. Will either of these create a TI CD?

GER

Yes, the Create Bootable Rescue Media will enable you to burn a CD or create the same bootable media on a usb flash drive.
If the bootable mdeia CD, insert the blank CD but do not close the tray. Let the program draw in the tray.
If creating an Acronis bootable flash drive (512mb or 1GB), insert the flash drive before starting the Create Bootable media option and select the flash drive (instead of the CD) as the target.

If you do not have access to an installed version, you can also return to your personal download site and download just the bootable media iso file. This iso file can be burn to CD as an image and is the same CD as the one created via the create bootable media installed copy.

Thanks for your reply. I thought of a couple of reasons HP may feel there is a low probabliity of success. When I made the backup of the HD using an external USB enclosure with another computer, the original disk partitions were re-named from C, F & G to F, H & I because the computer I was using already had disks C, F & G. Is it possible to re-define the disks during the restore operation with TI or instruct TI to place image Disk G in place of Disk C on the computer when it is returned?

The HP computer came with Microsoft Office pre-installed with an associated, unique product key. If HP reinstalls all the software as originally on the comuter it is likely the Microsoft Office software will have a different product key than the copy on the backup image.

GER

The drive letters you see in TrueImage may well be not the same as seen in Windows. The drive letters assigned by Windows at boot time will be influenced by what other disks are attached. If the same disks are attached as were at time of backup, most likely the drive letters will assume the same as at backup time.

when you restore the disk, all the data is wiped clean from the target disk. After the restore, the computer will have all the same data as it had at time of backup.

Thank you! We'll see what happens when the computer comes back from HP.

GER