Making an Image of a Dual boot system...

I have Acronis True Image and before I went the dual boot system route (XP + Vista x64), I made an image of my XP system but now that I am comfortable with both OS's, I would like to know if Acronis can make an image of my drive including both systems?

Before attempting to do this on my own and botching the already good image I have, I would like to hear it from the Gurus so... what say you?

Oh, also, I have heard that Acronis can do this but nobody specified if I should start Acronis in Vista or in XP and that is another thing that baffles me. It shouldn't matter where I start the image process but making sure is my first priority since I tend to screw up things fairly quick when I go out guns blazing (so to speak! )
Thanks guys.

Hello AstaLaVista.

One option would be to use a second HDD (one with nothing on it) to create the dual boot image; that way if it bricks you won't lose the good image....

Keep us informed, as I curious of the outcome myself.













Later Ted

Therein lies the problem, I have an extra drive for backups and to keep my system drive as healthy as possible, then I have my External 160GB hdd which is the one I use for image back-up.

I had an old new IDE 160GB but it turned out to be Dead after all so I don't want to use it for fear of having nothing there worth using in case I do need it.

I think I am going to buy a Raptor, make the image there and use that as my main drive and use the other two bigger drives for back up purposes only.

I still would love to know if I should use XP or Vista to initialize Acronis and make the image.

Sorry; I can be no help with that as I just started my first dual boot last week. That's why I'm interested in what you find out.
I'm sure someone that knows the answers will clue you in soon.......Just keep checking back!
















Later Ted

Hi Guys Not sure if this would help ...

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wFdAL7hpYvo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wFdAL7hpYvo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

obviously to backup the whole system you would not just select a single partition but all of them :D

Hi
I have in the same hard disk (different partition) win xp sp2 and vista ultimate sp1.After,format, finishing installing windows,programs,updates for both os,i create a full computer backup with the vista backup and restore center,then i delete some files,remove some programs and do some more changes from both os,then i restart,i boot from my vista dvd and full recovery my pc.And tadaaa both os xp and vista are complete us before,nothing is missing,nothing has changed.

Hello Nigel....

Speaking for myself; thank you. I'm sure it will help AstaLaVista also!
















Later Ted

Hi ted

I personally use Paragon hard disk manager 8.5 SE which was presented free with a computer mag over here ... it does everything i ask of it

there is a link for it but not sure if it only works in uk :D

Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.5 SE - Computeractive

Hi Nigel,

Yes I heard that is good , but it's not compatible with x64.

Drive Backup 9 Express works on x64 and is free right now

Drive Backup Express - Free Download!

Hope it helps

SIW2

I know my way around computers, for the most part, but I find it difficult to understand the procedures some times , I don't understan what Panais is trying to say with the booting from the Vista DVd and full recover his pc.

Since I really don't have a lot of stuff that needs to be saved, I will just move the images, e-mails and other documents to my regular back up disk and start the whole Acronis process from XP since it the OS I had installed it first, hence, avoiding a second installation and testing the waters this way.

I'll look up into that video before I do anything though... thanks folks