Restore a full system from an existing client computer backup

Updated: March 30, 2011

Applies To: Windows Home Server 2011

Use this procedure in the following scenarios:

  • The server does not start and you need to restore your system to a previous backup version.

  • All data on the hard disk is lost due to a hard disk failure, and you need to restore your entire system.

The system drive contains the hardware-specific files that are needed to start Windows. For Windows® Home Server 2011, this must be the C: drive. If the system drive is damaged, you cannot start your computer to do a restore. If this is the case, you need to start your computer from your Windows® Home Server 2011 Restore CD or create a bootable USB flash drive to start your computer. For information, see Create a bootable USB flash drive to restore a client computer.

If you are restoring the system to a new hard disk, ensure that the new hard disk has at least the same capacity as the old hard disk from which the backup was taken.

Important

To help restore your system drive, you may install and use the Windows® Home Server 2011 Restore software on each client device on which you have previously installed the Windows® Home Server 2011 Connector software. A valid backup is not available on the server for any client device that the Connector software was not previously installed on.

To restore a system volume

  1. Place the Restore CD in the drive of the computer that you want to restore.

    OR

    Insert the bootable USB flash drive that you created into the computer that you want to restore.

  2. Restart the computer, and start from the CD or the bootable USB flash drive.

  3. Follow the instructions in the Restore Wizard to restore the system volume.

Important

Your computer must be connected to the network with an Ethernet network cable before you begin the restore.