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How to create a bootable backup disk

9 years ago

After a recent episode where my C: (system) disk failed, I had to reinstall everything on the new disk. There must be a way to copy everything on my C: disk to another one so if the first one fails, I can simply replace it with the new one, but I don't know how to do that.

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Comments (7)

azinoh
9 years ago
It sounds like you want to create a "clone" image of your C: drive. But my understanding is that the ideal thing to do would be to store that image on an external drive...not copy it immediately to another hard drive. As time goes by, you may want to create an updated clone image and save it too, or delete the first one if it no longer suits your need. When/if a failure occurs, you'll probably want the most recent image to copy to your new drive. Why copy the first image to a new drive now if it may not be the image you need to use?
mtvhike
Original Author
9 years ago
So, how do I create a clone image? Is that procedure part of the standard Windows applications?
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azinoh
9 years ago
I won't speak to Windows since you did not state which version you are using. But there are multiple backup programs available in both paid and free versions to accomplish this. Acronis True Image and Macrium Reflect are the first two that come to mind.
zep516
9 years ago
Macrium Reflect Most recommended by people who know.

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
mtvhike
Original Author
9 years ago
azinoh: Due to our institutional restrictions, I can only use Windows 6 (Vista), 7, and 10 and I wish to use it on 7 and 10 (separate computers). The backup utility help file on my Vista computer mentions "Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore" and says that it is not included with Vista, but my Windows 7 computer just says that "Windows Backup provides you with the ability to create a system image...". Perhaps I should try that before asking more questions. Thanks
mikie_gw
9 years ago
You can make a system image in Vista with the WbAdmin command. Here's some info on how to... https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/11017/back-up-a-complete-vista-pc-across-a-network-using-wbadmin/

Keep in mind you probably will want to also have for Vista/Win7/Win10 0 the Repair disks for eash or full install dvd's which have the repair link built into those to easily access & install your system images.
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I use something similar to this: IDE to USB Adaptor to hook to my computer Instead of opening the case up every time I need to make a Clone of my Drive. Once I have the drive hooked up, I use AOMEI Backerupper to Clone my Hard Drive with. I found this Software to be as reliable as Acronis True Image was for me in the past.

I use to use Acronis True Image, but my Acronis Version I was using wouldn't work with Windows 10 after the upgrade. I didn't have money at the time for a New Cloning Software so I went looking for and found AOMEI Backerupper. I did try one other Cloning Program before trying AOMEI, but AOMEI worked great so I went no further.

Western Digital does offer a Free Version of Acronis True Image if you have a Western Digital Hard Drive installed in the computer you want to clone. Doesn't matter if it's C: Drive or if it the Drive you're Cloning to, as long as one of them is a Western Digital Hard Drive. In my Laptop, my 500gb Western Digital Black (7200rpm) Hard Drive is used as a Storage Drive, C: Drive is a 256gb Crucial mSATA SSD Drive. Just having the WD Drive in my Laptop Qualifies me to use the WD Acronis Software!

I'm currently happy using AOMEI Backerupper Software, use it monthly!

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