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Vista - Restore Complete Computer

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Restore Complete Computer

How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista
Published by Brink
10-17-2007
Restore Complete Computer

How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista

information   Information
A Windows Complete PC Backup image contains copies of your programs, system settings, and files. It is a complete system backup that you can use to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or entire computer ever stops working. This will restore the hard drive size and content back to exactly as it was when the Complete PC Backup was made. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Restore your computer from a system image backup
Note   Note

BACKUP LOCATION:


A) If you want to delete or copy the entire WindowsImageBackup folder to save it to another location to keep a copy of it, you will need to open each subfolder in the WindowsImageBackup folder and grant access permission to them first by clicking Continue twice for eace folder. You will then be able to copy this folder like any other folder. You may want to do this because when a new Complete PC Backup is made it can overwrite the previous Complete PC Backup with the differences to create the new backup.
  • Backups are saved in this format: (backup location)\WindowsImageBackup\(computer name)\Backup (year-month-day) (time)
  • If the backup was done on Local Disk D: at 9/7/2007 1:00:50 PM (It uses 24 hour time), then the full backup file path would be:
  • D:\WindowsImageBackup\Computer\Backup 2007-09-07 130050
  • You would right click the folder Backup 2007-09-07 130050 and click Delete to delete that backup.
  • To see what your computer name is, see: How to Change the Computer Name in Vista
B) To delete all but the most recent Complete PC Backup, you can use Disk Cleanup. You will just need to select the drive that the complete PC backups are stored on and select the More Options tab. For how see step 15 here: How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista

C) To delete the Complete PC Backup completely, you just need to take ownership of the WindowsImageBackup folder and subfolders. Afterwards, you will be able to delete the folder.


Tip   Tip

EXAMPLE: Restore Complete PC Backup Notice
NOTE: When you click on the Restore computer button from the Backup and Restore Center in the Control Panel (Classic View), you will see the screenshot below. Just click Close and see how to to restore the computer below.
restore_computer.jpg
Here's How:
1. Boot into the System Recovery Options screen.

2. Click on the Windows Complete PC Restore option. (See screenshot below)
complete_restore.jpg
3. If you saved the backup image on a set of multiple DVDs, then insert the last DVD from the backup set when prompted. If not, go to step 8.
A) Go to step 9 below.
4. If you have a saved backup image on a connected hard drive or another partition, then you will see this screenshot
below.
A) If you want to restore the latest backup, then click on Next.
NOTE: The Restore the following backup is normally the last backup made.

B) To restore a different backup image, dot Restore a different backup and then press Next.
NOTE: This is if the backup you want to use is not listed here and you have made other complete PC backups in this same location that you wish to choose from instead. If you have a backup from another location that you want to choose from, then it will need to be connected to the computer before step 1.
restore_from.jpg
C) Select which backup to restore from the list and then click on Next. (see screenshot below)

D) Click on Finish.
another_restore_from.jpg
5. Check the confirm box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
confirm.jpg
6. You will now see this screenshot below.
NOTE: If you have the backup image on DVDs, have them ready. See step 3 above.
restoring.jpg
7. When done, click on Restart Now to finish. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Your computer will restart and the restore will be done.
Name:  Success.jpg
Views: 54176
Size:  29.9 KB
That's it,
Shawn





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Applies to
Business,Enterprise,Ultimate
64 Bit & 32 Bit

10-17-2007  
uvbogden


Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1
Provo, Utah, USA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

Very nice!

My System SpecsSystem Spec
10-17-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

You're welcome Uvbogden,

Thank you for the suggestion to create one for it,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-02-2007  
redsled


vista ultimate 32
Vacaville, CA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

I can ONLY get to step 3 when I try for a complete pc reinstall. The screen is the multi blue color with an active mouse pointer. If I disconnect both my raid drives the step 3 screen comes up and continues, BUT my back up img is on one of my raid drives. Any work-around clues?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-02-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

Hi Redsled,

Welcome to the forum.

Raid setups can be tricky sometimes. It's been a while since I played with raid. You might look at this tutorial to see if will help get it to recognize you raid drives.

Raid Install


The only workaround that I know to do is to copy the image to another partition on the main drive, or other device, that would be recognized at step 3. (EX: USB device)

Wish I could help more, but it's been to long away from Raid.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-02-2007  
redsled


vista ultimate 32
Vacaville, CA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

I'm sorry I didn't give enough information.(I thought EVERYBODY took mind reading classes )
Vista is on a single non raid drive. My full pc restore back up is on a raid drive. All drives are sata drives.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-02-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

LOL Redsled,

I figured that you had another main drive in there for Vista other than the Raid ones.

That workaround is still the only thing I know to do. It's just been to long since I used RAID.

How to Delete and Extend a Partition with Disk Management in Vista

Hopefully someone else here will know of a easier workaround for you.


Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-12-2007  
niGht kiD


Vista™ Business 32-bit
Malaysia
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

Hi Shawn,

Startup Repair can only be started using Vista Installatio DVD?

My laptop only comes with recovery DVD...



My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-12-2007  
Brink


Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
Texas, USA
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

Sorry niGht kiD,

Only with the Express or Retail Vista installation DVD.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02-12-2008  
missouriboy


Vista Home Premium 32bit.
 
 

Re: Restore Complete Computer

how do u do a reinstall if u only have the reinstallation dvd?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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