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Backup Image for creating new drive?

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What is the best way to do this and can I do this with Acronis True Image Home 2011?

I want to create and image, for backup purpose, of my internal HD-500gb. Next, I want to write that image to the same size/model drive HD and have it be an immediate, bootable replacement for my current internal HD. Additionally, I would like to use the image to quickly upgrade to a 1tb HD by simply writing the image to the drive and have it immediately bootable.

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Jeff,

You can do this. Note that if you have a duplicate HD "ready to boot", there is no easy way to keep it up to date with the original disk.
As you know, with a regular image backup you can restore the latest image to a similar drive, or to a bigger drive (your 1TB disk). Evidently, the key difference here is that it is not immediate: you have to go through a restore operation.

If you want to proceed anyway with your immediately bootable exact copy, you can do it following this path:
- do a full disk (all partitions) backup onto an external drive,
- boot with the Acronis CD and make sure you can access your backup from the CD,
- swap your internal hard disk with your other hard disk. Make sure that both disks are not connected at the same time to the computer.
- reboot with the Acronis CD and restore your entire disk on your new disk (including MBR, Track0 and disk signature)
- reboot and make sure your new disk works,
- keep your original disk as your immediately bootable version.

This would be the same process if you have to replace your internal disk.

I have the downloaded version of Acronis, so can I create my own CD? Can I create disk images files, not simply dumping all the files to a new drive....I like to keep image file backups of hard drives?

Jeff,
Click on the green link in my signature below. The link has many answers to questions plus answers to questions you have not considered yet.

Also look at this link.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/18125

Jeff L wrote:

I have the downloaded version of Acronis, so can I create my own CD? Can I create disk images files, not simply dumping all the files to a new drive....I like to keep image file backups of hard drives?

Sort of just looking for an answer to these questions, thanks anyhow.

Jeff,

Grover's notes are a must read. The learning curve is not steep, and this reading will save you time...

Anyhow, you can create your recovery CD from ATI. In the main screen of the program, you have a link "create bootable media". Point the wizard to your DVD drive.

To create a disk image, use the disk and partition feature. Be sure to select all the partitions, in particular any hidden partition you might have.
Once this is done, reboot on your CD and make sure you can reach your fresh new backup and the disk you would restore to. YOu will notice the drive letters are different from the Windows environment: pay attention to disk labels and characteristics.

Of the two listed the one to create would be Acronis True Image Home (Full Version)? Will the disk image backup be a single image file and is it typical that there will be hidden partitions in a standard windows install?

"two listed" where? Acronis True Image Home Full Version. Yes.

The disk image backup will be a single file if it is a full backup image. If you run an incremental backup, you will need all the incremental backup files and the last previous full backup to restore.

It is typical for Win 7 to have hidden partitions. It is also typical for PC or laptops from Dell, HP, IBM and others to have hideen recovery partitions.
You can see this by right click my computer desktop icon, manage > storage > disk management

Don't see any hidden.

"two listed" where? I was referring to the two options in Acronis "create bootable media". The second option is "Acronis system report".

Ah OK! Yes, True Image Home is right. You can install both, and you can select which one should start automatically after a certain delay. Useful if you have limited mouse function at that time.