Acronis offers to make a backup copy of your disk using the "sector by sector" method. This would copy your entire disk, including hidden partitions. The image created would also include erased files, unallocated space, file system "housekeeping" data. . .etc.
A "sector by sector" image should restore a Dell disk OK, and a "clone" of the disk most certainly would.
When working with Dell disks, the factory restore feature requires a few conditions be met. The image partition must be in the correct location, be the correct size, and have the correct Type value. The system partition must begin at the original location. The Dell customized MBR must be on the disk. The Dell system restore code first checks that everything is OK before continuing.
An observation about Dell systems. . .
Sometimes, Dell disks have unallocated spaces among the partitions. Normally, this isn't an issue because the wasted space is insignificant. But partitioning software often dislikes waste and hates to leave gaps. So. . . restored data, although exactly the same as the original, will be placed in a different location. This will make Dell System Restore very angry.
As well, Dell may provide a Utility partition. This is NOT the same as Dell System Restore. I don't know if Utility partitions are sensitive to size and location changes.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. You could use a partitioning utility to change the Type of your hidden partitions, assign them a drive letter, and examine them with Explorer as if they were any other volume. But to get them to work as intended, their Type must be reset to the original value.
P.P.S. When systems start using the altered Dell MBR, a blue stripe will appear briefly across the top of the screen during the early stages of booting. DELL will be printed in the middle of this blue stripe.
P.P.P.S. Since Dell System Restore uses an obsolete version of Symantec Ghost, one could download this version of Ghost (it's free) and manually restore their system even if Dell System Restore isn't working. One could also create a new Dell System Restore image. This new image could include all their configurations and added software, making their restoration process even more painless. |
