Backing up and restoring the disk layout.

The MBR, the partition tables and the boot sectors of individual partitions allow an operating system to boot your computer and mount individual volumes. The Windows 2000, 2003 and XP operating systems use an additional way of describing partitions; the LDM. The LDM is used when partitioning goes beyond what Windows calls 'Basic Disks'. For more information on Windows partitioning mechanics and the LDM please refer to the proper Windows documentation.

You can use ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM to create backups of the structures that describe a partition. Depending on the partitioning scheme a backup would include :

Conventional partitioning (basic disks) :

• the MBR
• Partition tables (primary and extended)
• Bootsectors for all partitions

Advanced partitioning (i.e. dynamic disks for Windows 2000 and up)

• the MBR
• the LDM

ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will automatically select the correct backuptype based on the disk layout. In case of damage to the disk structures you can restore this backup to regain access to your partitions.

ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM uses a clever method to save these backups: all backups are saved on the disk, to space that is not in use. This space can not be reached by the Operating System so the backups are safe. Because the backups are on the same disk as the original structures, there's no need to keep a special ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM diskette to restore the backups: any diskette containing ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM can restore the backups.
Before executing the restore, ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will create an Undo file. This will allow you to undo the changes that were made to the disk during the restore, in case the results were unsatisfactory.

Important: creating a backup of the disklayout will only save the elements of a partition that describe that partition. Actual data (the contents of the partition) is not saved! If you wish to save the contents of a partition, use a disk imaging tool.

Important: only create a backup if the disk layout is correct. Do not create a backup if the disk requires repairs, or if partitions are inaccessable!

Backing up the disk layout

Note: the following procedures assume you have already selected a physical disk.

Select [Tools], [Backup/Restore], [Backup]. Confirm the warning message. Prior to writing the backups to the hard disk, ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will verify that the target sectors are available for use. If all went well, ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will display the message "Backup completed successfully".

Restoring a disk layout backup

Select [Tools], [Backup/Restore], [Restore]. ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will display the creation date of the backup. Confirm to proceed. Prior to restoring the backups to disk, ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM will create an Undo file (so you can undo the restore if it doesn't bring the desired result). You must confirm this. If all went well, ByteBack D.R.I.S.^TM displays the message "Partition State Restore completed successfully".

Verifying if a backup exists

Select [Tools], [Backup/Restore], [Check Backup] to verify a backup exists on the selected disk and to display the time and date of creation.

Removing a disk layout backup

Select [Tools], [Backup/Restore], [Clear Backup] to remove a backup from the selected disk.