Overview

If you have followed our instructions for backing up your OS and applications you will be able to recover quickly if your computer crashes. For Windows 7 systems, the procedure is to (1) download the bare-metal backup images containing your operating system and use these to restore your OS, and (2) download your data files. For other systems, to recover your entire system you will (1) reinstall windows (2) download your system state backup file and program files (3) download your windows system files (4) restore your system state and reboot (5) download your data files. The order in which you follow these steps is very important. If you have questions about your particular scenario please contact technical support.

Please note: These instructions are for file-level backup restores including System States.  Please see Partner Center or the BDR documentation for image-based backup restores to production servers.

Instructions (Windows 7) 

Download Bare-metal Backup Image Files

1. Download and install the backup software on some other computer in the network, and start the file manager (or login to web access in the web portal).
2. Login and choose to restore files.
3. Locate and check the folder that contains the relevant bare-metal backup images. Click Next.
4. Select Alternate location, specify a path to a USB disk, and choose Most recent data (advanced users may choose to select historical data). Click Next.
5. Choose to move existing files to a folder (specify an empty folder). Click Next.
6. Wait for it to download the list of files. Once finished, click Next to begin restoring data.
7. Wait for the data to download. When it has finished, click Exit.

Restore System from Bare-metal Backup Image (Windows Backup Images) 

1. Boot the computer using the Windows 7 DVD.
2. When prompted, choose to restore your system from a backup.
3. Point it to the USB disk where you restored your Windows 7 backup image files.
4. Follow the wizard to finish restoring your system, and then reboot.

Restore System from Bare-metal Backup Image (ShadowProtect Backup Images) 

1. Boot the computer using the ShadowProtect Recovery CD.
2. Use the recovery environment to re-create any partitions you will be restoring to. 
3. For each partition you need to restore, choose to restore a volume, and select the ShadowProtect image files that you restored to the USB disk that represent this volume.
4. Wait for the restore to complete for all volumes, and then reboot.

Download Data Files

1. Start the file manager from the start menu.
2. Login and choose to restore files.
3. Check all folders which you did not restore previously and click Next.
4. Select Original locations and Most recent data (advanced users may choose to select historical data). Click Next.
5. Choose to move existing files to a folder (specify an empty folder). Click Next.
6. Wait for it to download the list of files. Once finished, click Next to begin restoring data.
7. Wait for the data to download. When it has finished, click Exit.

Your operating system, applications, and data should now be completely restored.

Instructions (all systems except Windows 7) 

Reinstall Windows

We currently require a working copy of windows in order to restore data. (In other words, we currently do not support bare metal recovery at this time. However, we are working towards having an integrated bare metal recovery solution.) So you should first use your windows installation CD or OS recovery CD (provided by your computer manufacturer) to install a clean and working copy of windows.

You do not need to install other applications or optional components. You only need a working copy of windows that is able to connect to the Internet.

Download System State and Program Files

1. Download and install the backup software.
2. Important: Exit the backup manager using the File menu, exit command.
3. Start the file manager from the start menu.
4. Login and choose to restore files.
5. Locate and check the folder with the system state data (@SysState-computername). Locate and check the folder containing your program files. Click Next.
6. Select Original locations and Most recent data (advanced users may choose to select historical data). Click Next.
7. Choose to move existing files to a folder (specify an empty folder). Click Next.
8. Wait for it to download the list of files. Once finished, click Next to begin restoring data.
9. Wait for the data to download. When it has finished, click Exit.

Download Windows System Files

1. Start the file manager from the start menu.
2. Login and choose to restore files.
3. Locate and check the folder with the windows system files (probably named windows). Click Next.
4. Select Within this folder and browse to find your windows folder. Select Most recent data (advanced users may choose to select historical data). Click Next.
5. Choose to skip existing files without asking. Click Next.
6. Wait for it to download the list of files. Once finished, click Next to begin restoring data.
7. Wait for the data to download. When it has finished, click Exit.

Restore your System State (Windows XP, or Server 2003 or Earlier)

NOTE: You will need to start the system in 'Directory Services Recovery Mode' if this server is an active directory server.

1. Start. Programs. Accessories. System Tools. Backup
2. Click Advanced Mode. Click the Welcome tab. Click Restore Wizard (Advanced). Click Next.
3. Click Browse and find the .bkf file you just downloaded. Click OK.
4. In the listbox on the left, find the .bkf file, and click the + to expand the fileset. Check all of the items. Click Next.
5. Follow the wizard to restore your data and reboot. For more information, see here.
6. Reboot your computer

Restore your System State (Server 2008 or later)

NOTE: You will need to start the system in 'Directory Services Recovery Mode' if this server is an active directory server.

1. Find the @SysState-computername folder that was restored as part of downloading the system state data in an earlier step. Rename the folder to WindowsImageBackup.
2. Make sure the WindowsImageBackup folder is on the root of any drive.
3. Run Windows Server Backup Recovery. When asked where to restore from, choose "A backup stored on another location," and then choose the drive that contains the WindowsImageBackup folder with the restored data. It should show you the option to restore the system state data.
4. Follow the rest of the steps in the Windows Server Backup Recovery wizard to complete the restore of your system state.
5. Reboot your computer. 

Download Data Files

1. Start the file manager from the start menu.
2. Login and choose to restore files.
3. Check all folders which you did not restore previously and click Next.
4. Select Original locations and Most recent data (advanced users may choose to select historical data). Click Next.
5. Choose to move existing files to a folder (specify an empty folder). Click Next.
6. Wait for it to download the list of files. Once finished, click Next to begin restoring data.
7. Wait for the data to download. When it has finished, click Exit.

Your operating system, applications, and data should now be completely restored.