Windows Complete PC Backup and RestoreThe Windows Complete PC Backup is available in the Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions of Vista. As the title suggests, it creates a complete backup of the entire computer. While the "Backup Files" option is helpful in cases of file loss and data corruption, Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore is more of a disaster recovery tool. It can restore your complete system onto another hard drive (if necessary) just as it appeared at backup time. To begin, let's go to the Windows Backup and Restore Center:
At the main backup window, shown below, click on the "Backup Computer" button.
The next window will ask you where you want to save your backup. I always recommend an external hard drive for backups. In this case, I strongly suggest an external drive because this backup will be an image of your entire operating system and all of your loaded applications. It is going to be much larger in size than a file backup. You need to make sure that your backup media is large enough to hold it. Also make sure your backup device is connected to your PC before beginning the backup procedure. Click Next when ready.
The next window is a confirmation of your settings. It will show you the location that you have selected, the approximate size of the backup and what exactly is being backed up. Click the "Start Backup" button when ready.
The backup begins as shown below. When done, you will see a confirmation window stating either success or failure of the backup.
Restoring Your Complete PC Backup As I stated earlier, the Windows Complete PC Backup is more of a disaster recovery tool. With that in mind let's pretend that one day while working on your PC, it suddenly freezes and the image goes black. A few seconds later you see the "Blue Screen of Death" (actually the blue screen of diagnostics) appear. You restart your PC but no luck. The blue screen shows a brief message like INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. Most likely you've just experienced a hard drive crash. We're going to assume that the drive is no longer operational and needs to be replaced. Once the hard drive has been replaced with a new one we can begin the system recovery. You are going to need your Vista CD or DVD so that you can boot from it. If you find that your computer is not set to boot from a CD or DVD, click the link to find out how to change the boot order. Once you have your boot order set to boot from disk, go ahead and place the Vista disk in your PC and restart the computer. You should see the message "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.." as shown below. Press the "enter" key or the "space bar" to begin. This is a timed response so if you miss it just restart your PC and try again.
If you are prompted to choose a language, do so, and click the Next button. At the next window, shown below, click on "Repair your computer".
The System Recovery Options window will not show an operating system since we don't have one installed yet. Click Next to continue.
At the next window click on "Windows Complete PC Restore" from the menu of choices. The system will now search your computer for an external drive with a complete backup on it.
The backup will be displayed in the window shown below. Be sure to verify that it is the correct backup. If not, you can choose a different backup. Once you have the correct backup, click Next.
The next window will ask you to verify your choices. Click Finish.
The next window warns you that this restore will format (erase) the destination drive. Make sure that you are restoring to the correct drive. Confirm that it is okay to format your disk by putting a check in the checkbox. Click OK.
The restore begins...
The Windows Complete PC Backup is a great new tool. Please take advantage of it as soon as possible. You can now take a snapshot of your entire computer setup including personal settings and any applications that you have loaded. How great is that! Just remember that any changes you make to your computer after the Complete PC Backup will not be part of the image. For those everyday minor changes use the Automatic Backup procedure. Return From Windows Complete PC Backup to Windows Vista Tutorials Return From Windows Complete PC Backup to the Home Page New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
