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Thread ID: 99457 2009-05-02 12:14:00 How long it takes you to restore PC Nomad (952) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
770470 2009-05-02 12:14:00 My PC came up with bad sectors on the main drive.

Would like to see what you guys are at ...

Before I had it all backed up but now I am improving on it so I get a 30min delay only. I had all my stuff backed up had a very old image file that was useless. And all the installing OS and software is a real pain. For me, I think a disk imaging software done when sig hardware/software changes and do a sync backup of files daily. Essentially a sync duplication on HDD1 to HDD2 or done in partitons to help the organisation out.
Nomad (952)
770471 2009-05-02 13:01:00 Mostly downloading XP updates is what takes time when I format - I just can't be arsed reading up on making a slipstreamed cd. Deane F (8204)
770472 2009-05-02 13:06:00 I use Windows Home Server, which makes a full image of the all the drives in all the PCs/Laptops in the house.

First backup takes a while, after that its usually 20mins per backup.

Using the WHS restore CD I can get a system to an up and working state in less than an hour(never had to do that yet though)

I synschronise data so that that there is always another backup on anotehr PC in the network.

Blam
Blam (54)
770473 2009-05-02 21:30:00 I haven't had to restore a PC because of a dead drive yet, however I have had to reinstall Windows - in that case, I just copy C:\Users to an external drive and recover from there. :p

It takes ages though, as I have to reinstall everything.
pcuser42 (130)
770474 2009-05-02 21:51:00 Format and partition the new drive, copy /home and / boot/, install the OS, then install a couple of not-included programs, fairly straight forward (and regularly practised since I have a dreadful weakness for changing OS in quiet moments). Usually wastes about an hour to an hour and a quarter inclusive of coffee (and biscuit) breaks.

If I was doing it with Winderz, who knows? I don't really want to find out, but I have a couple of images squirreled away that wouldn't be more than a week out of date in theory. Couldn't give a toss about MS updates, since I don't use them.
R2x1 (4628)
770475 2009-05-02 21:58:00 Image restore = 9 minutes.

Recreate one or two icons and bits = 10 minutes
pctek (84)
770476 2009-05-02 21:59:00 I need an image. :D pcuser42 (130)
770477 2009-05-02 22:03:00 x2 on what pcteck said.
I have used images for years they work great.
Bantu (52)
770478 2009-05-02 23:30:00 To coincide with Pctek --

Image restore depending on whats in the image 9-10minutes.

Basic OS Image to ANY PC - using Acronis True Image with Universal Restore - 10-15 minutes, then remove Universal restore - 2 minutes, load in appropriate drivers for new hardware, change COA - 5-10 minutes.

FULL restore from WHS, using the backup it does every night - thats all programs, data 20-40 minutes.
wainuitech (129)
770479 2009-05-02 23:34:00 I have all my data stored on a secondary HD, so setting that up again is as simple as changing where the 'My Docs' folder points to.

I usually install the most crucial programs (Office 07, Firefox, VLC, WinRAR, service packs/updates etc) as soon as possible, then install other apps as I need them.

I do have an image of it, but I find it's not needed as much, as I have so little on my main HD anyway (and no data) :)
jwil1 (65)
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