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Restoring XP From A Backup

A

Abby Brown

Flightless Bird
Hi,

We need to do an XP restore. Is is possible to just restore the
Windows directory or are there additional directories or files?
There is only a C: partition (sigh). I haven't had to do this
since NT4 (I now keep my OSes in their own partitions).

Thanks,
Gary
 
P

Pegasus [MVP]

Flightless Bird
"Abby Brown" <abbybrown@charter.net> wrote in message
news:#NjnjvhQLHA.1712@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> We need to do an XP restore. Is is possible to just restore the Windows
> directory or are there additional directories or files? There is only a C:
> partition (sigh). I haven't had to do this since NT4 (I now keep my OSes
> in their own partitions).
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
>

It depends entirely on what type of backup you performed. Did you back up
the whole disk? Or just your data files? Or are you perhaps relying the
automatic System Restore process?
 
B

Bill in Co

Flightless Bird
Abby Brown wrote:
> Hi,
>
> We need to do an XP restore. Is is possible to just restore the
> Windows directory

Not if you're relying on System Restore. It will restore (or attempt to)
everything it has been monitoring, and that includes other directories.
 
A

Abby Brown

Flightless Bird
"Pegasus [MVP]" <news@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ujDwuAiQLHA.796@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>
> "Abby Brown" <abbybrown@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:#NjnjvhQLHA.1712@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>>
>> We need to do an XP restore. Is is possible to just restore
>> the Windows directory or are there additional directories or
>> files? There is only a C: partition (sigh). I haven't had to
>> do this since NT4 (I now keep my OSes in their own
>> partitions).
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Gary
>>
>
> It depends entirely on what type of backup you performed. Did
> you back up the whole disk? Or just your data files? Or are
> you perhaps relying the automatic System Restore process?

Sorry, I should have been clearer. The entire disk/partition is
backed up by Acronis.

I will first do a full backup of the current state. I can then
either restore just the OS or do a full restore then recover
data from the current state's backup. I'm trying to reduce
risk/effort. Its not certain what needs to be restored in the
latter case. The PC's user does not know how to use Acronis
which makes that choice iffy if I'm not around when she needs
something restored.

Gary
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:u5s61nvQLHA.620@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl "Abby Brown"
<abbybrown@charter.net> wrote:

> I will first do a full backup of the current state. I can then
> either restore just the OS or do a full restore then recover
> data from the current state's backup. I'm trying to reduce
> risk/effort.

If you have a full backup, the least risk and least effort is to do a
full restore.

> Its not certain what needs to be restored in the latter case.

Especially if you don't know what needs to be restored.

> The PC's user does not know how to use Acronis which makes that choice
> iffy if I'm not around when she needs something restored.

Next, teach the user how to use the software.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
B

Bill in Co

Flightless Bird
Abby Brown wrote:
> "Pegasus [MVP]" <news@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ujDwuAiQLHA.796@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>
>>
>> "Abby Brown" <abbybrown@charter.net> wrote in message
>> news:#NjnjvhQLHA.1712@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> We need to do an XP restore. Is is possible to just restore
>>> the Windows directory or are there additional directories or
>>> files? There is only a C: partition (sigh). I haven't had to
>>> do this since NT4 (I now keep my OSes in their own
>>> partitions).
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Gary
>>>
>>
>> It depends entirely on what type of backup you performed. Did
>> you back up the whole disk? Or just your data files? Or are
>> you perhaps relying the automatic System Restore process?
>
> Sorry, I should have been clearer. The entire disk/partition is
> backed up by Acronis.
>
> I will first do a full backup of the current state. I can then
> either restore just the OS

How can you do that in Acronis True Image? At least as I recall, your
choices are limited to restoring *partitions* (like C:, or whatever), unless
you've chosen only to backup and restore specific files. ????

> or do a full restore then recover
> data from the current state's backup. I'm trying to reduce
> risk/effort. Its not certain what needs to be restored in the
> latter case. The PC's user does not know how to use Acronis
> which makes that choice iffy if I'm not around when she needs
> something restored.
>
> Gary
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:iJqdncR85ogAQO_RnZ2dnUVZ_rKdnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
<surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:

> How can you do that in Acronis True Image? At least as I recall,
> your choices are limited to restoring *partitions* (like C:, or
> whatever), unless you've chosen only to backup and restore specific
> files. ????

Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
backups," and can even do incremental image backups.

I do a full backup once a week and an incremental backup otherwise.

The images can even be "mounted," browsed and copied from through an
Explorer extension.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
B

Bill in Co

Flightless Bird
Bert Hyman wrote:
> In news:iJqdncR85ogAQO_RnZ2dnUVZ_rKdnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
> <surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> How can you do that in Acronis True Image? At least as I recall,
>> your choices are limited to restoring *partitions* (like C:, or
>> whatever), unless you've chosen only to backup and restore specific
>> files. ????
>
> Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
> Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
> backups," and can even do incremental image backups.

Thanks for pointing that out, Bert. I've never selected that option, but
now see it does indeed exist.

However, what I have done is when I want to retrieve a few files from an
image backup is to just use windows explorer to manually copy and paste them
(since Acronis allows you to see all the files within the image, using
windows explorer).

> I do a full backup once a week and an incremental backup otherwise.
>
> The images can even be "mounted," browsed and copied from through an
> Explorer extension.

That part I was aware of, and have used. :)
 
P

pjp

Flightless Bird
"Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9DDDA10A41C53VeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141...
> In news:iJqdncR85ogAQO_RnZ2dnUVZ_rKdnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
> <surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> How can you do that in Acronis True Image? At least as I recall,
>> your choices are limited to restoring *partitions* (like C:, or
>> whatever), unless you've chosen only to backup and restore specific
>> files. ????
>
> Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
> Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
> backups," and can even do incremental image backups.
>
> I do a full backup once a week and an incremental backup otherwise.
>
> The images can even be "mounted," browsed and copied from through an
> Explorer extension.
>
> --
> Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com

Wondering if you've also tried the "Try before Decide" option as it sounds
almost too good to be true so wonder if indeed it does work as stated. If
so, what's the impact on speed of system running during feature activation
and as well how long is the starting setup procedure take (presumably it
makes some type of backup?) and again when you decide to stop the feature
by either throwing changes away or committing them permanently.
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:i4v6dr$108$1@news.eternal-september.org "pjp"
<pjpoirier_is_located_at@someplace.somewhere> wrote:

>
> "Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9DDDA10A41C53VeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141...
>> ...
>>
>> Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
>> Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
>> backups," and can even do incremental image backups.
>> ...
>
> Wondering if you've also tried the "Try before Decide" option as it
> sounds almost too good to be true so wonder if indeed it does work as
> stated.

Never tried it. Acronis has a bunch of user forums and I've seen it
discussed.

I'm pretty sure you can read the forums without registering.

http://forum.acronis.com/

> If so, what's the impact on speed of system running during
> feature activation and as well how long is the starting setup
> procedure take (presumably it makes some type of backup?) and again
> when you decide to stop the feature by either throwing changes away or
> committing them permanently.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
B

BillW50

Flightless Bird
In news:Xns9DDE4ED92832CVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 12:45:03 GMT:
> In news:i4v6dr$108$1@news.eternal-september.org "pjp"
> <pjpoirier_is_located_at@someplace.somewhere> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
>> news:Xns9DDDA10A41C53VeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141...
>>> ...
>>>
>>> Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
>>> Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
>>> backups," and can even do incremental image backups.
>>> ...
>>
>> Wondering if you've also tried the "Try before Decide" option as it
>> sounds almost too good to be true so wonder if indeed it does work as
>> stated.
>
> Never tried it. Acronis has a bunch of user forums and I've seen it
> discussed.
>
> I'm pretty sure you can read the forums without registering.
>
> http://forum.acronis.com/

I have documented pages and pages of problems with Acronis True Image.
Here is the ones from the top of my head that bugs me the most.

1) Eats up 185MB of RAM when it isn't even running

2) Can't restore from some USB external HDD

3) May not restore if you change the build number

Acronis True Image has let me down way too often. In fact, this computer
I had to rebuild from the Recovery DVD just last week since all of my
Acronis True Image backups were totally useless. I have no idea why
anybody would recommend such a terrible program for?

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) 1 of 3 - Windows XP SP2
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:i50fns$5bt$1@news.eternal-september.org "BillW50"
<BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:

> I have no idea why anybody would recommend such a terrible program
> for?
>

Probably because it works well for most people.

Judging solely by the comments in this newsgroup, I can't see why
anybody would ever use Windows.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
B

BillW50

Flightless Bird
In news:Xns9DDE5255298ECVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 13:05:37 GMT:
> In news:i50fns$5bt$1@news.eternal-september.org "BillW50"
> <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:
>
>> I have no idea why anybody would recommend such a terrible program
>> for?
>>
>
> Probably because it works well for most people.
>
> Judging solely by the comments in this newsgroup, I can't see why
> anybody would ever use Windows.

If it worked well for most people, most people would be using Acronis
True Image. But that isn't true, now is it? And the ones that are using
it happily, I bet most never tested it to see if it actually restores
correctly or not.

And about Windows, most computer users actually uses Windows. So it
isn't the same thing at all.

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) 1 of 3 - Windows XP SP2
 
B

Ben Dover

Flightless Bird
"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:i50gia$8kv$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> In news:Xns9DDE5255298ECVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
> Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 13:05:37 GMT:
>> In news:i50fns$5bt$1@news.eternal-september.org "BillW50"
>> <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:
>>
>>> I have no idea why anybody would recommend such a terrible program
>>> for?
>>>
>>
>> Probably because it works well for most people.
>>
>> Judging solely by the comments in this newsgroup, I can't see why
>> anybody would ever use Windows.
>
> If it worked well for most people, most people would be using Acronis True
> Image. But that isn't true, now is it? And the ones that are using it
> happily, I bet most never tested it to see if it actually restores
> correctly or not.
>
> And about Windows, most computer users actually uses Windows. So it isn't
> the same thing at all.
>
> --
You're a true HoopleHead.
>
>
 
B

BillW50

Flightless Bird
In news:i50ii4$hcu$1@news.eternal-september.org,
Ben Dover typed on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:46:58 -0500:
> "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
> news:i50gia$8kv$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> In news:Xns9DDE5255298ECVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
>> Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 13:05:37 GMT:
>>> In news:i50fns$5bt$1@news.eternal-september.org "BillW50"
>>> <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have no idea why anybody would recommend such a terrible program
>>>> for?
>>>>
>>>
>>> Probably because it works well for most people.
>>>
>>> Judging solely by the comments in this newsgroup, I can't see why
>>> anybody would ever use Windows.
>>
>> If it worked well for most people, most people would be using
>> Acronis True Image. But that isn't true, now is it? And the ones
>> that are using it happily, I bet most never tested it to see if it
>> actually restores correctly or not.
>>
>> And about Windows, most computer users actually uses Windows. So it
>> isn't the same thing at all.
>>
> You're a true HoopleHead.

And what's a HoopleHead? A person who is pissed that Acronis True Image
has failed them dozens of times? And support says to backup to an
internal drive instead to avoid this not restoring from an USB drive?
Well that is just a stupid idea since most laptops only has one internal
drive and if that drive fails, so does your backup.

You see Ben, I believe in being honest. As it saves newbies lots of
problems down the line. And I don't believe in BSing them like you do.

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) 1 of 3 - Windows XP SP2
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
You'll have to ignore Ben Dover. He is just a college student prankster in
London.
He changes his name very often.
"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:i50jj8$lvg$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> In news:i50ii4$hcu$1@news.eternal-september.org,
> Ben Dover typed on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:46:58 -0500:
>> "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
>> news:i50gia$8kv$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> In news:Xns9DDE5255298ECVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
>>> Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 13:05:37 GMT:
>>>> In news:i50fns$5bt$1@news.eternal-september.org "BillW50"
>>>> <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have no idea why anybody would recommend such a terrible program
>>>>> for?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Probably because it works well for most people.
>>>>
>>>> Judging solely by the comments in this newsgroup, I can't see why
>>>> anybody would ever use Windows.
>>>
>>> If it worked well for most people, most people would be using
>>> Acronis True Image. But that isn't true, now is it? And the ones
>>> that are using it happily, I bet most never tested it to see if it
>>> actually restores correctly or not.
>>>
>>> And about Windows, most computer users actually uses Windows. So it
>>> isn't the same thing at all.
>>>
>> You're a true HoopleHead.
>
> And what's a HoopleHead? A person who is pissed that Acronis True Image
> has failed them dozens of times? And support says to backup to an
> internal drive instead to avoid this not restoring from an USB drive?
> Well that is just a stupid idea since most laptops only has one internal
> drive and if that drive fails, so does your backup.
>
> You see Ben, I believe in being honest. As it saves newbies lots of
> problems down the line. And I don't believe in BSing them like you do.
>
> --
> Bill
> Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) 1 of 3 - Windows XP SP2
>
>
>
 
B

Bill in Co

Flightless Bird
BillW50 wrote:
> In news:Xns9DDE4ED92832CVeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141,
> Bert Hyman typed on 24 Aug 2010 12:45:03 GMT:
>> In news:i4v6dr$108$1@news.eternal-september.org "pjp"
>> <pjpoirier_is_located_at@someplace.somewhere> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Bert Hyman" <bert@iphouse.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Xns9DDDA10A41C53VeebleFetzer@216.250.188.141...
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> Don't know about earlier, but at least as "far back" as Acronis True
>>>> Image 2009, you can do selective (file by file) restores from "image
>>>> backups," and can even do incremental image backups.
>>>> ...
>>>
>>> Wondering if you've also tried the "Try before Decide" option as it
>>> sounds almost too good to be true so wonder if indeed it does work as
>>> stated.
>>
>> Never tried it. Acronis has a bunch of user forums and I've seen it
>> discussed.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure you can read the forums without registering.
>>
>> http://forum.acronis.com/
>
> I have documented pages and pages of problems with Acronis True Image.
> Here is the ones from the top of my head that bugs me the most.
>
> 1) Eats up 185MB of RAM when it isn't even running

Now THAT sounds really excessive, but I'm using an older version (Home, ver
11), and doubt if it is anywhere close to that. At least under Task Manager
it shows it isn't; in fact, that largest memory item shown there is
explorer.exe, at 50 MB. True Image is logging in there at about 10 MB
total).

> 2) Can't restore from some USB external HDD

That wasn't a problem for me at least with my enclosures. But currently I
have been using a second internal SATA drive for image backups and restores,
since it's much faster and more convenient, and because I've been doing this
frequently after trying out various software just to be sure I have a
pristine system after the tests!

> 3) May not restore if you change the build number

THAT I have heard. So my solution was, and is, to NOT ever change build
numbers, and just keep using the older one. I haven't had any problem with
Acronis True Image Home (using the somewhat older version 11), and I've done
a bunch of restores. :)
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:eek:8CdnQa9c9d8gunRnZ2dnUVZ_j-dnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
<surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:

> BillW50 wrote:
>
>>
>> 1) Eats up 185MB of RAM when it isn't even running
>
> Now THAT sounds really excessive, but I'm using an older version
> (Home, ver 11), and doubt if it is anywhere close to that. At least
> under Task Manager it shows it isn't; in fact, that largest memory
> item shown there is explorer.exe, at 50 MB. True Image is logging in
> there at about 10 MB total).

The only piece of True Image Home 2009 that I can find running now is
"TrueImageMonitor", clocking in at a staggering 7,708K (VM Size 5,292K)
on the process monitor.


--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
B

Bill in Co

Flightless Bird
Bert Hyman wrote:
> In news:eek:8CdnQa9c9d8gunRnZ2dnUVZ_j-dnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
> <surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> BillW50 wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> 1) Eats up 185MB of RAM when it isn't even running
>>
>> Now THAT sounds really excessive, but I'm using an older version
>> (Home, ver 11), and doubt if it is anywhere close to that. At least
>> under Task Manager it shows it isn't; in fact, that largest memory
>> item shown there is explorer.exe, at 50 MB. True Image is logging in
>> there at about 10 MB total).
>
> The only piece of True Image Home 2009 that I can find running now is
> "TrueImageMonitor", clocking in at a staggering 7,708K (VM Size 5,292K)
> on the process monitor.

"staggering" being said with tongue in cheek. 8 MB ain't nothin! :)
 
B

Bert Hyman

Flightless Bird
In news:naednUSk3dnUuenRnZ2dnUVZ_iydnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
<surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Bert Hyman wrote:
>> In news:eek:8CdnQa9c9d8gunRnZ2dnUVZ_j-dnZ2d@earthlink.com "Bill in Co"
>> <surly_curmudgeon@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>> BillW50 wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> 1) Eats up 185MB of RAM when it isn't even running
>>>
>>> Now THAT sounds really excessive, but I'm using an older version
>>> (Home, ver 11), and doubt if it is anywhere close to that. At least
>>> under Task Manager it shows it isn't; in fact, that largest memory
>>> item shown there is explorer.exe, at 50 MB. True Image is logging
>>> in there at about 10 MB total).
>>
>> The only piece of True Image Home 2009 that I can find running now is
>> "TrueImageMonitor", clocking in at a staggering 7,708K (VM Size
>> 5,292K) on the process monitor.
>
> "staggering" being said with tongue in cheek. 8 MB ain't nothin!
> :)

Quite true; it's hard to write a Windows program that actually does
anything in that space.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
 
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