Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer

Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer

Hello,

The DVD writer in my notebook became defective, hence I have to send it in
for repair.
They told me they will have to re-format the hard drive and install the
original software
to be able to check the replacement DVD writer.

So this is the reason why I will now buy an external hard drive and do my
first
'Back up your entire computer'. I read through the help information but
something is unclear:

Do I need to install Vista Ultimate before I can Restore the back up?
(I feel I will have to...)

What happens with that 'new' Vista Ultimate installation during/after the
restore procedure,
because the 'old' Vista Ultimate installation is also part of the back up?

Will it be overwritten?

Thanks in advance for your help!

ute wrote:

> Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer
>
> Hello,
>
> The DVD writer in my notebook became defective, hence I have to send it in
> for repair.
> They told me they will have to re-format the hard drive and install the
> original software
> to be able to check the replacement DVD writer.
>
> So this is the reason why I will now buy an external hard drive and do my
> first
> 'Back up your entire computer'. I read through the help information but
> something is unclear:
>
> Do I need to install Vista Ultimate before I can Restore the back up?
> (I feel I will have to...)
>
> What happens with that 'new' Vista Ultimate installation during/after the
> restore procedure,
> because the 'old' Vista Ultimate installation is also part of the back up?
>
> Will it be overwritten?

I'll let someone else who is expert with Vista's backup & restore answer
questions about it. I'm just going to suggest that you use something I
consider better - an imaging program. I prefer Acronis True Image, but
there are other imaging programs out there. You install the imaging
program, make a bootable CD from within it*, image your drive and store the
image on the external hard drive. Then when you get the new drive, just
restore the image you made.

*If you buy an imaging program retail, the installation CD will usually act
as bootable media to do the restore. If you download the program and don't
have a physical installation CD, make the bootable CD.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Thanks for your answer!

Though special imaging programs undoubtedly may have advances,
I hope I don't have to buy one. I decided to buy ULTIMATE just because
the 'Back up your entire computer' and the 'Fax' feature. Was much more
expensive than Home Premium.

I really hope ULTIMATE can do what I need...

"Malke" wrote:

> I'm just going to suggest that you use something I
> consider better - an imaging program. I prefer Acronis True Image, but
> there are other imaging programs out there. You install the imaging
> program, make a bootable CD from within it*, image your drive and store the
> image on the external hard drive. Then when you get the new drive, just
> restore the image you made.
>
> *If you buy an imaging program retail, the installation CD will usually act
> as bootable media to do the restore. If you download the program and don't
> have a physical installation CD, make the bootable CD.

ute wrote:

> Thanks for your answer!
>
> Though special imaging programs undoubtedly may have advances,
> I hope I don't have to buy one. I decided to buy ULTIMATE just because
> the 'Back up your entire computer' and the 'Fax' feature. Was much more
> expensive than Home Premium.
>
> I really hope ULTIMATE can do what I need...

Understood, although people whom I respect have said that they don't care
for the Vista backup program. If you don't get an answer here, then you
might want to look for a Vista backup newsgroup:

http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups

Good luck and sorry I wasn't able to help you.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Thanks. No such group found!
I think I wait a while, maybe someone else will answer...?

"Malke" wrote:
> Understood, although people whom I respect have said that they don't care
> for the Vista backup program. If you don't get an answer here, then you
> might want to look for a Vista backup newsgroup:
>
> http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups

On Thu, 7 May 2009 13:19:02 -0700, ute <>
wrote:

>Thanks. No such group found!
>I think I wait a while, maybe someone else will answer...?

Vista backup absolutely sucks.

>"Malke" wrote:
>> Understood, although people whom I respect have said that they don't care
>> for the Vista backup program. If you don't get an answer here, then you
>> might want to look for a Vista backup newsgroup:
>>
>> http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups

Hi SIW2,

> Run off the cd first - it prompts you to.

I don't understand... What will prompt me?
After downloading Macrium I wouldn't have a CD!?

> If you have enough time and space , you can use
> the Vista Backup program...

Why would I need more time and space?
If I would use Vista Backup, would I have to boot from
the original Vista DVD later to be able to restore from my USB HD?

Thanks!


> ute;1038151 Wrote:
> > Vista Ultimate - Restore entire computer
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > The DVD writer in my notebook became defective, hence I have to send it
> > in for repair.
> > They told me they will have to re-format the hard drive and install the
> > original software
> > to be able to check the replacement DVD writer.
> >
> > So this is the reason why I will now buy an external hard drive and do
> > my first
> > 'Back up your entire computer'. I read through the help information but
> > something is unclear:
> >
> > Do I need to install Vista Ultimate before I can Restore the back up?
> > (I feel I will have to...)
> >
> > What happens with that 'new' Vista Ultimate installation during/after
> > the restore procedure,
> > because the 'old' Vista Ultimate installation is also part of the back
> > up?
> >
> > Will it be overwritten?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help!