Still a little fuzzy on backups.

[redvette]

Hi Gang

Now if you want to do a backup, because you are going to install Win 7 to replace XP. Which would be the easiset and best way to go, use Acronis to do a Backup or clone a drive.?

I know you are going to say Acronis but why.?

Thanx....Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

I'd say neither: I do backups manually.

[redvette]

Hi Nuc

Ok, do you mind explaining what you mean.? Explain your process. I only have about 45G of HD used, going to a 1T HD.

Thanx...Gunny

[redvette]

Hi NUC

Plus I have a lot of programs that would be very difficult to replace, so I don't want to risk losing any of them.

Thanx....Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

If you're going to upgrade the OS, you WILL have to reinstall all the programs, you cannot migrate them just by copying their folders. Programs write files to the system folders and if you overwrite W7 files with their counterparts from XP-OS, it'll be chaos.

The only way to keep your installed programs working (and not all of them may survive the upgrade) is to install W7 on top of XP, as an upgrade rather than a clean install, but this is not really recommended.

[MikeMoss]

Hi

He's right, there is no way that I know to go from XP to Windows 7 without re-installing every thing.

When I did it I just copied everything on my C:\ drive to an external and then installed Windows 7 and retrieved the things I needed from the backup later. But all of the software had to be installed again.

There are a few exceptions, one of them is WOW.
If you play WOW you can just copy the WOW folder back to your hard drive and it will run fine, no install, updates or anything.

Mike

[redvette]

Hi Nuc

Not recommended ok I understand that. But personally how much of a risk is it. I mean I will not die if some of them are gone but lets say I will be a little upset. :-)

So you are saying, just to put the Win 7 disk in and start it with my XP setup.?? The Win 7 copy I have is called an Upgrade.

Thanx...Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

Back up your data, and then, with Windows XP running, insert the W7 CD and choose install. See how that works for you.

[redvette]

Hi Mike

What is this WOW.? That sounds like a "gotcha" Are you serious.?

Thanx...Gunny

[redvette]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Back up your data, and then, with Windows XP running, insert the W7 CD and choose install. See how that works for you.

Hi Nuc

I like that "see how that works for you". That's easy for you to say, ha ha ha.

Ok I will do that but I am going to clone that drive first, just in case.

Thanx...Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by redvette Hi Mike What is this WOW.? That sounds like a "gotcha" Are you serious.? Thanx...Gunny

World of Warcraft. Online game.

[redvette]

Hi Nuc

Sorry that one went over my head, I am not into games.

Thanx...Gunny

[glc]

You can install an upgrade copy of Win 7 on a blank drive, and I recommend that you do so. To back up your files, you can clone your drive to an external or something. Procedure for installing clean:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp

[redvette]

Hi All

Ok I have my copy of Win 7 installed on the clean HD, now what.? I have the cloned HD un plugged now.

Thanx...Gunny

[glc]

Reconnect the cloned drive and go get what you need from it.

[Acronis Support]

Hello redvette,

Thank you for your interest in Acronis software.

I would recommend creating a backup instead of cloning because you have more options. You can store the backup as an archive and then restore it in case of system failure.

During cloning, you create a mirror copy of your system which is immediately transferred to a new hard disk.

I would recommend to check the following section in our forum that will help you with your questions: GETTING STARTED. READ BEFORE YOU POST! | Knowledge Base

If you need additional questions, please let me know.

Thank you.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by Acronis Support Hello redvette, Thank you for your interest in Acronis software. I would recommend creating a backup instead of cloning because you have more options. You can store the backup as an archive and then restore it in case of system failure. During cloning, you create a mirror copy of your system which is immediately transferred to a new hard disk. I would recommend to check the following section in our forum that will help you with your questions: GETTING STARTED. READ BEFORE YOU POST! | Knowledge Base If you need additional questions, please let me know. Thank you.

Hi Mr Acronis support.

Thanx for the info I will sure read what you pointed out there. I do like Acronis after I figured out how it works, and for sure some of the biggest brains here on this forum recommend it. With the recommendation it has to work and be a good program.

Thanx and take care......Gunny

[redvette]

Originally Posted by glc Reconnect the cloned drive and go get what you need from it.

Hi GLC

O man of very few words. :-) Now I figured out how you have all those posts, you say very little.

So if I understand this right, if you have XP on 1 HD and Win 7 on the other, on boot up the Win 7 HD will take priority. Am I right so far.? Or will this go to a dual boot.?

Thanx....Gunny

[David M]

Originally Posted by redvette Which would be the easiset and best way to go, use Acronis to do a Backup or clone a drive.?

I do both. Doing a clone will get me back up and running in a few minutes should my drive crash or become corrupt. I can then use my external drive to update my cloned drive. If you want to get real fancy, you can also do a backup over the internet from a company like Carbonite, in case you have a house fire, your whole system is stolen or anything else eliminates everything including your backups.

[redvette]

Hi David

In so many words both systems work and there are drawbacks to both. So what ever rings your bell and how much time and money you want to put into it.

Now being I have Win 7 on one, and XP cloned on another HD, it is time to figure out how I am going to do this. Was I right about Win 7 taking priority over XP.?

Thanx....Gunny

[glc]

You want to set the main drive first in the boot order - the only reason you are going to connect the cloned drive is to copy the files you need from it onto the main drive. Don't even TRY to boot XP. As has been said, you have to reinstall ALL your software in Win 7. I hope you had the cloned drive disconnected when you installed Win 7 on the main drive......

I may be a man of few words, but I try to make every single word count.

[David M]

Feel lucky when you get George to elaborate.

Feel lucky when I don't write too much.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by glc You want to set the main drive first in the boot order - the only reason you are going to connect the cloned drive is to copy the files you need from it onto the main drive. Don't even TRY to boot XP. As has been said, you have to reinstall ALL your software in Win 7. I hope you had the cloned drive disconnected when you installed Win 7 on the main drive...... I may be a man of few words, but I try to make every single word count.

Hi GLC

That is a great line, I will have to remember that one. Ha ha ha On the forum here you have to do just that. I often try to do this but I often fail.

Yes I did have the cloned XP drive disconnected, when I downloaded Win 7.

I have found that most times a few words work when talking to a person with equal smarts about a subject, like you and computers you are head and shoulders above me. so it takes more than a few words here, but if you want to talk fixing cars then you can use a few words, and I willl stand toe to toe with you.

Thanx....Gunny

[redvette]

Originally Posted by David M Feel lucky when you get George to elaborate. Feel lucky when I don't write too much.

Hi David

Hey you cannot ever say too many words to me when you are discussing a problem I am having. The more the merrier.

Picture this....Try explaining to a 80 year old lady that her brakes need repaired, and it is going to cost $200. You cannot do this in a few words.

Thanx....Gunny

[redvette]

HI Gang

Ok I guess what I have been asking is what is the next step.? Do I need a program to transfer any of the progams on the cloned XP HD to the Win 7 HD.?

When I boot up with the connected XP HD, do I get a dual boot situation, or what.?

Thanx.....Gunny

[glc]

No, you will not get a dual boot situation. It will boot to the first hard drive in the bios boot order.

You need to REINSTALL your programs from the original media or the downloaded installable, just like you did when you originally installed them. You can simply copy your data files from one drive to the other.

[redvette]

HI GLC

You will have to excuse me it takes a little while to sink in. :-) I am not stupid, I just have to get them thought out a little before I put it in gear.

Ok I did that and it booted to my Win 7 and my other HD showed up when I clicked on my computer and I was able to get a few things from it that has a EXE file to them.

So far so good. Some things just don't make sense to me but they work if I only take your word for it. :-)

Thanx....Gunny