IT

Overview

Testing this application on a virtual machine I had a disk with 2 partitions on it:

• C: has the operating system (Windows XP in this case);
• F: a partition created to store data (will be used to store our backups);

I've done 2 different tests:

• Test 1 - Backup system partition: I wanted to backup my C: onto and image on F: partition, so later I can just restore my system from the backup image instead of having to format+install Windows+drivers+applications+all sort of installations;
• Test 2 - Clone an entire Disk: Directly clone the entire Disk (with all the partitions) to a new Disk (useful, for example, for a  new disk replacement);

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Test 1 - Backup System Partition

1. Create a backup of the system partition:

• Open the application and go to: "Backup" > "Disk and partition backup" and follow the wizard to create an image of the C: partition (generated: "backup 11-22-44 AM.PBD")
• I've stored this file on the F: partition (my data backup partition); 

2. Create a emergency bootable disk:
Reason: in order to replace our system partition we can't be inside Windows: we need a bootable disk that allows us to replace the partition from outside Windows. The application generates a linux bootable disk for this.

• Open the application and go to: "Tools" > "Bootable media builder" create a the bootable disk (USB drive or CD/DVD or ISO);
• Burn the generated CD/DVD or copy it to a removable USB media;
• Reboot the computer and boot from this Linux bootable disk;

3. Restore the system from the backup:

• Select the backup from the F partition as a source:

• Select the destination partition.
  NOTE: Since both partitions (C: and F:) are on the same Disk ("Disk 1") be sure to select only the C: partition and not the entire "Disk 1"! 

• Don't use the "sector by sector recovery". Not necessary.

• If everything went fine remove the bootable disk and restart the system. The system is now restored from the backup;

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Test 2 - Clone an entire Disk

Useful to substitute an old disk with a new one.

• Prepare the disk to be written (format or create a primary partition with no drive letter. You can use the Windows "Disk Management" tool for this or the also freeware EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition);
• Restart and boot with the emergency Linux bootable disk (already created on Test 1);
• Inside the bootable disk select "Disk Clone" from the interface and follow the wizard. More info here.
• IMPORTANT: once the disk clone finishes its important to shutdown your computer and physically substitute your old drive (master disk) with the new one. After this you can safely restart the system.