Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

[Guest Dimitri]

Hi,

 

I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

other way?

 

Thanks,

Dimitri

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

 

"Dimitri" <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

> Hi,

>

> I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> other way?

>

> Thanks,

> Dimitri

 

It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

[Guest Dimitri]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > Hi,

>

> > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot?  Maybe by doing a

> > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> > other way?

>

> > Thanks,

> > Dimitri

>

> It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

 

Could you provide more detail?

If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

not boot?

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

 

"Dimitri" <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > Hi,

>

> > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> > other way?

>

> > Thanks,

> > Dimitri

>

> It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

 

Could you provide more detail?

If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

not boot?

 

=======================

 

Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

your machine!

[Guest Dimitri]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > > Hi,

>

> > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> > > other way?

>

> > > Thanks,

> > > Dimitri

>

> > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> Could you provide more detail?

> If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> not boot?

>

> =======================

>

> Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

The method is:

Open "My Computer"

Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

Click "Properties"

Click "Shadow Copies"

Select "C:\"

Click "Enable"

In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

weeks.

 

Dimitri

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

Dimitri <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote:

> On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>

>> news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

>> On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>>

>>> news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>>

>>>> Hi,

>>

>>>> I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive

>>>> (C:), and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server

>>>> does not boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by

>>>> doing a temporary install of Windows Server into a separate

>>>> directory, or some other way?

>>

>>>> Thanks,

>>>> Dimitri

>>

>>> It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>>

>> Could you provide more detail?

>> If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

>> new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows

>> does not boot?

>>

>> =======================

>>

>> Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

>> dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

>> method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

>> your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>>

>> - Show quoted text -

>

> The method is:

> Open "My Computer"

> Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

> Click "Properties"

> Click "Shadow Copies"

> Select "C:\"

> Click "Enable"

> In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

> weeks.

>

> Dimitri

 

Sorry for jumping in.

 

No - volume shadow copy services isn't going to work for you in this

context. That's not what it's for. I think Pegasus presumed you were talking

about an image/clone, which would indeed work. I like Acronis TrueImage (the

latest version is called Echo, I think). It isn't super cheap, but it's

worth it, and has saved my bacon more than once.

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

 

"Dimitri" <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:63369788-274d-4c85-9403-5cdb5d15b23b@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > > Hi,

>

> > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> > > other way?

>

> > > Thanks,

> > > Dimitri

>

> > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> Could you provide more detail?

> If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> not boot?

>

> =======================

>

> Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

The method is:

Open "My Computer"

Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

Click "Properties"

Click "Shadow Copies"

Select "C:\"

Click "Enable"

In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

weeks.

 

Dimitri

==========================

As far as I know, the Shadow Copy process was specifically designed

to maintain copies of shared folders - see here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/vds/default.mspx

I do not think that you can use it to restore a system. You may have

to use one of the many imaging products such as Acronis TrueImage.

 

Whichever system you use, remember to fully test it after installing

it. If you don't to a full restoration then you will probably find that

you overlooked something - but it will be too late . . .

[Guest Dimitri]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

On Jan 7, 11:56 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:63369788-274d-4c85-9403-5cdb5d15b23b@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

> > On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com....

>

> > > > Hi,

>

> > > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive (C:),

> > > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does not

> > > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or some

> > > > other way?

>

> > > > Thanks,

> > > > Dimitri

>

> > > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> > Could you provide more detail?

> > If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> > new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> > not boot?

>

> > =======================

>

> > Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> > dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> > method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> > your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> > - Show quoted text -

>

> The method is:

> Open "My Computer"

> Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

> Click "Properties"

> Click "Shadow Copies"

> Select "C:\"

> Click "Enable"

> In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

> weeks.

>

> Dimitri

> ==========================

> As far as I know, the Shadow Copy process was specifically designed

> to maintain copies of shared folders - see here:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/vds/d...

> I do not think that you can use it to restore a system. You may have

> to use one of the many imaging products such as Acronis TrueImage.

>

> Whichever system you use, remember to fully test it after installing

> it. If you don't to a full restoration then you will probably find that

> you overlooked something - but it will be too late . . .- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

Yes, it seems like an oversight on Microsoft's part -- since shadow

copy can only be enabled on a volume-wide basis rather than a share-by-

share basis, it seems ideally suited to recovering from system file

corruption -- the entire system volume could be, in theory, easily

restored to a previously snapshotted state -- but there doesn't seem

to be a way to use it that way.

 

I am still hoping someone out there knows of a 3rd-party app or a

tweak that can make it work.

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

 

"Dimitri" <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:1777d7e6-01ec-469b-b2da-2f15023427ef@z17g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

On Jan 7, 11:56 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:63369788-274d-4c85-9403-5cdb5d15b23b@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

> > On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > > > Hi,

>

> > > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive

> > > > (C:),

> > > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does

> > > > not

> > > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or

> > > > some

> > > > other way?

>

> > > > Thanks,

> > > > Dimitri

>

> > > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> > Could you provide more detail?

> > If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> > new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> > not boot?

>

> > =======================

>

> > Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> > dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> > method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> > your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> > - Show quoted text -

>

> The method is:

> Open "My Computer"

> Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

> Click "Properties"

> Click "Shadow Copies"

> Select "C:\"

> Click "Enable"

> In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

> weeks.

>

> Dimitri

> ==========================

> As far as I know, the Shadow Copy process was specifically designed

> to maintain copies of shared folders - see

> here:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/vds/d...

> I do not think that you can use it to restore a system. You may have

> to use one of the many imaging products such as Acronis TrueImage.

>

> Whichever system you use, remember to fully test it after installing

> it. If you don't to a full restoration then you will probably find that

> you overlooked something - but it will be too late . . .- Hide quoted

> text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

Yes, it seems like an oversight on Microsoft's part -- since shadow

copy can only be enabled on a volume-wide basis rather than a share-by-

share basis, it seems ideally suited to recovering from system file

corruption -- the entire system volume could be, in theory, easily

restored to a previously snapshotted state -- but there doesn't seem

to be a way to use it that way.

 

I am still hoping someone out there knows of a 3rd-party app or a

tweak that can make it work.

============

Third party apps? Both Lanwench and I mentioned Acronis

TrueImage. There are several others - have a look on Google!

[Guest Dimitri]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003R2)

 

On Jan 7, 1:17 pm, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:1777d7e6-01ec-469b-b2da-2f15023427ef@z17g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:56 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:63369788-274d-4c85-9403-5cdb5d15b23b@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> > On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > >news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com....

> > > On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > > >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com....

>

> > > > > Hi,

>

> > > > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive

> > > > > (C:),

> > > > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does

> > > > > not

> > > > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or

> > > > > some

> > > > > other way?

>

> > > > > Thanks,

> > > > > Dimitri

>

> > > > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> > > Could you provide more detail?

> > > If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> > > new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> > > not boot?

>

> > > =======================

>

> > > Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> > > dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> > > method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> > > your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> > > - Show quoted text -

>

> > The method is:

> > Open "My Computer"

> > Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

> > Click "Properties"

> > Click "Shadow Copies"

> > Select "C:\"

> > Click "Enable"

> > In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

> > weeks.

>

> > Dimitri

> > ==========================

> > As far as I know, the Shadow Copy process was specifically designed

> > to maintain copies of shared folders - see

> > here:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/vds/d...

> > I do not think that you can use it to restore a system. You may have

> > to use one of the many imaging products such as Acronis TrueImage.

>

> > Whichever system you use, remember to fully test it after installing

> > it. If you don't to a full restoration then you will probably find that

> > you overlooked something - but it will be too late . . .- Hide quoted

> > text -

>

> > - Show quoted text -

>

> Yes, it seems like an oversight on Microsoft's part -- since shadow

> copy can only be enabled on a volume-wide basis rather than a share-by-

> share basis, it seems ideally suited to recovering from system file

> corruption -- the entire system volume could be, in theory, easily

> restored to a previously snapshotted state -- but there doesn't seem

> to be a way to use it that way.

>

> I am still hoping someone out there knows of a 3rd-party app or a

> tweak that can make it work.

> ============

> Third party apps? Both Lanwench and I mentioned Acronis

> TrueImage. There are several others - have a look on Google!- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

TrueImage is fantastic; there is also Ghost, and many others. The

problem is that they create an actual image of the disk that then

requires at least 50% of the original disk space to store it,

depending on compression. An online shadow copy, on the other hand,

takes very little space -- and in many cases, is already enabled to

provide Previous Versions functionality to share users. Adding the

ability to roll back the volume to a previously snapshotted state

should be an easy and convenient value-add.

 

I realize that a shadow copy snapshot is not backup -- it would not

protect against disk failure, for instance -- but in the relatively

common case of a file or registry corruption rendering the system

unbootable, it would be extremely helpful.

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

Dimitri <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote:

<snipped for length>

 

> TrueImage is fantastic; there is also Ghost, and many others. The

> problem is that they create an actual image of the disk that then

> requires at least 50% of the original disk space to store it,

> depending on compression. An online shadow copy, on the other hand,

> takes very little space -- and in many cases, is already enabled to

> provide Previous Versions functionality to share users. Adding the

> ability to roll back the volume to a previously snapshotted state

> should be an easy and convenient value-add.

>

> I realize that a shadow copy snapshot is not backup -- it would not

> protect against disk failure, for instance -- but in the relatively

> common case of a file or registry corruption rendering the system

> unbootable, it would be extremely helpful.

 

Yes, but that's not what it's designed for.

 

Get TrueImage Server

Get an external USB or firewire attached hard disk (or use a separate

internal drive dedicated to this purpose)

Run a full image job weekly

Run incremental jobs daily

 

Or -

 

Run your W2003 server in a VMWare Workstation (or similar) session and do

regular snapshots

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: Restoring a snapshot of C: if Windows does not boot? (Server 2003 R2)

 

 

"Dimitri" <dimitp@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:a843d7aa-bf57-442b-9f24-f6e32c9b5fc1@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

On Jan 7, 1:17 pm, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

> "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> news:1777d7e6-01ec-469b-b2da-2f15023427ef@z17g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...

> On Jan 7, 11:56 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> >news:63369788-274d-4c85-9403-5cdb5d15b23b@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...

> > On Jan 7, 11:33 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > >news:0dc8a3ff-d6f0-410b-8eb6-66e44f117444@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

> > > On Jan 7, 11:02 am, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I....@fly.com.oz> wrote:

>

> > > > "Dimitri" <dim...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>

> > > >news:0edfdb1a-f842-4875-a417-985dc50ef7ef@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

>

> > > > > Hi,

>

> > > > > I was wondering, if I take regular snapshots of my system drive

> > > > > (C:),

> > > > > and, say, a system file becomes corrupted and Windows Server does

> > > > > not

> > > > > boot, if there is any way to restore a snapshot? Maybe by doing a

> > > > > temporary install of Windows Server into a separate directory, or

> > > > > some

> > > > > other way?

>

> > > > > Thanks,

> > > > > Dimitri

>

> > > > It depends on the method you use to create the snapshot.

>

> > > Could you provide more detail?

> > > If I have snapshots scheduled from the disk C: properties to create

> > > new snapshots on a schedule, how would I restore these if Windows does

> > > not boot?

>

> > > =======================

>

> > > Sorry, it's your turn to provide more details. I can think of half a

> > > dozen ways to create a snapshot, and unless you tell us which

> > > method you use, we cannot help you. Remember - we can't see

> > > your machine!- Hide quoted text -

>

> > > - Show quoted text -

>

> > The method is:

> > Open "My Computer"

> > Right-click "Local Disk (C:)"

> > Click "Properties"

> > Click "Shadow Copies"

> > Select "C:\"

> > Click "Enable"

> > In "Settings", set the schedule to create a new snapshot every two

> > weeks.

>

> > Dimitri

> > ==========================

> > As far as I know, the Shadow Copy process was specifically designed

> > to maintain copies of shared folders - see

> > here:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/storage/vds/d...

> > I do not think that you can use it to restore a system. You may have

> > to use one of the many imaging products such as Acronis TrueImage.

>

> > Whichever system you use, remember to fully test it after installing

> > it. If you don't to a full restoration then you will probably find that

> > you overlooked something - but it will be too late . . .- Hide quoted

> > text -

>

> > - Show quoted text -

>

> Yes, it seems like an oversight on Microsoft's part -- since shadow

> copy can only be enabled on a volume-wide basis rather than a share-by-

> share basis, it seems ideally suited to recovering from system file

> corruption -- the entire system volume could be, in theory, easily

> restored to a previously snapshotted state -- but there doesn't seem

> to be a way to use it that way.

>

> I am still hoping someone out there knows of a 3rd-party app or a

> tweak that can make it work.

> ============

> Third party apps? Both Lanwench and I mentioned Acronis

> TrueImage. There are several others - have a look on Google!- Hide quoted

> text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

 

TrueImage is fantastic; there is also Ghost, and many others. The

problem is that they create an actual image of the disk that then

requires at least 50% of the original disk space to store it,

depending on compression. An online shadow copy, on the other hand,

takes very little space -- and in many cases, is already enabled to

provide Previous Versions functionality to share users. Adding the

ability to roll back the volume to a previously snapshotted state

should be an easy and convenient value-add.

 

I realize that a shadow copy snapshot is not backup -- it would not

protect against disk failure, for instance -- but in the relatively

common case of a file or registry corruption rendering the system

unbootable, it would be extremely helpful.

 

======================

 

A well-designed server reserves drive C: for its OS and for its

applications, which together require up to 20 GBytes, which

compresses to around 10 GBytes. This is small fry for modern

disks! Furthermore Acronis TrueImage offers the equivalent

of shadow-copying - they call it "Incremental Backup".

 

The usual case of a boot failure due to registry corruption is

easily handled with tools such as regback.exe. I have restored

several non-booting systems within minutes with this technique.