Backup/restore

TBirdUK · 9 Nov 2007 at 16:50

Can anyone help me with some info. I have a system running Vista home premium with 2 x 500GB drives in RAID 0. I need to remove these drives and split them but dont want to lose the windows build & progs I have, as it took ages to get it to work like it is.

Is there any way to backup, then restore to the new drives (or single drive) exactly what I have (I am currently only using about 40GB) like they do with the restore disks that come with new machines?

Many thanks

Uhtred · 9 Nov 2007 at 16:58

omg 1tb on raid 0?!

Do you have storage to store a 40gb image on another pc of antoher drive?

If so then use something like acronis true image 11 or norton ghost to image the partition which you can then restore to a single 500 drive.

Windows vista does have image backup but i believe that's only in the ultimate edition

TBirdUK · 9 Nov 2007 at 17:02

Yep, have loads of space on another other computer - how do those progs work, can it be done over a network? How do I then boot back in over the network - v novice at this.

I'd also like, if possible to store the image in a safe place for a couuple of my machines to save the constant hassle of re-installing everytime I muck something up - which is on a regular basis, so this would be a godsend.

Just re-checked - used 100GB according to Vista!

Uhtred · 9 Nov 2007 at 18:27

You can do it over a network yes. To restore the image you create a boot cd (this is with acronis but i believe ghost is similar) then once the cd boots you can access the network location and restore the image

TBirdUK · 9 Nov 2007 at 20:50

have tried ghost before and couldnt get it to work with disks that were in a raid. All I want to do is copy all off one drive to another - there must be an easier way

brendy · 10 Nov 2007 at 01:06

Acronis True image 10 or if you have the time, download the Windows Automated Installation Kit (waik) this also lets you create a bootable imge program which can copy across networks etc.
Acronis though hs a free 15day trial which is definately worth it. (Ive bought some for our office as well as the server edition which will be implemented soon)

TBirdUK · 10 Nov 2007 at 01:23

I've tried acronis and it hangs on boot!