Restore to dissimilar hardware
I am wondering if someone could go through the steps to restore a full disk image to dissimilar hardware.
My only concern about backup is losing my work computer to fire, and having to restore to a completely new computer.
I have no problem with data recovery - this is simple, backed up off site etc - it is restoring of the operating system and applications that is the nightmare - it takes me a full weekend.
I have Home 2010 and Acronis True Image Home 2010 Plus Pack.
So, my first question is whether it would be prudent to upgrade.
I have read and re-read the support on this, and it is a bit hard to follow for a reasonably non-technical person.
So, a simple explanation of the steps would be greatly appreciated.
First I have to know what sort of backup I need to first do - should it be a clone, or something else?
I don't mind bringing in a technician to do the restore if necessary, but I need to know what I need to be able to achieve it reliably.
Thanks.
Thanks Hero,
It's a bit misleading to advertise that a restore can be made to dissimilar hardware if there are "issues" with it, and no guarantee it will work.
Don't you think?
Are you aware of any way to make a HDD operate if you have a full backup of the system on it?
I am sure there are "Issues", however, I have tested several universal restores using TIH2011 to different hardware with good success. The MB , vid card, memory and dvd drives were all of different mfg. The hard drives in both machines were the same mfg. I did a universal restore and had the system up and running in about 45 minutes. I even moved a disc image from a Dell to a test computer successfully. The only thing I did have ready was the MB drivers for the test machine... that is a "must have"... Guess I was one of the lucky ones. The wife and I have a small home based business and it was imperitive that we be able to recover from a complete system failure in a very short time. So far so good. We do have a license for the new 2012 version but after seeing so many negative comments and troubles, we have opted to stick with TIH 2011 for now.
Steve
Perdido Beach, AL
Peter,
As Perdido says, your mileage will vary. I would love to have software that is guaranteed to work, but this doesn't exist. But the guarantee is not really the point. The point is that UR is processing key registry information on the fly specific to the hardware configurationi, so the process success is very hardware dependent.
Thanks Steve and Hero,
Your comments Steve are very encouraging. I am effectively trying to cater for the same situation.
So, what needs to be done, quite clearly in current circumstances, and what Acronis should suggest in its documentation, is that clearly a user should cobble together a computer off-site somewhere, any old computer will do (within reason of course), and test the restore in a real-life situation, so to speak. You could practice this several times until you are familiar with the procedures, and can confirm everything is working, drivers, etc. If something doesn't work, you can work out why, and get it right.
You would then be very confident of getting up and running again in the shortest possible time, if there were a fire, for example, at your work.
This is what I am now going to do. I am sure that I have an old motherboard somewhere, and a case.
I will often buy software for just one feature. I bought Acronis specifically to cater for the situation if my hardware was destroyed. Restoring to dissimilar hardware was advertised as a feature. I am somewhat disappointed that the documentation about this is difficult to follow and very spares in any event, and technical. The documentation in this regard doesn't even say what sort of backup you should have – hitherto I had been making clones as I thought this was required for the dissimilar hardware restore. There is another product on the market and also advertises this sort of feature, and I am going to have a close look at it.