Question about Recovery Drive

takeOnePassItOn · 05 Jul 2016

I have a primary drive which is 500 GB - I would like to split it so that I can use half for OS and half for data.

I made a recovery USB (before I split the drive) and I would like to know that if I restore whether the disk partition will go back to how it was when the recovery drive was made.

Conversely if I made a new Recovery USB now that my drive is split in to 2 volumes C: and D: whether data on D: would be retained when restoring C: using the Recovery stick.

RolandJS · 05 Jul 2016

If I understand recovery usb correctly, it should not affect your D, data, partition. Now, if that recovery means a factory restore, then, everything done since that factory roll-out will exist no more. Tell us more about the recovery usb, how was it make?

takeOnePassItOn · 05 Jul 2016

The USB recovery was made using the windows 10 utility. So what you are saying is that the C drive will be recovered and any other partition left.... I'll check this out in the morning by means of a test.

Kyhi · 05 Jul 2016

If you use the recovery drive to reset the HDD back to factory settings ---
You must select - Keep current partitions....
Otherwise it WILL remove your data.....

It is always best to use another drive for your data...

even recreating the recovery drive after creating the data partition - will still remove the data partition...

So be very careful when using the windows utility created recovery drive...

Best to make backup images of the complete HDD using Macrium Reflect Free > http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

takeOnePassItOn · 06 Jul 2016

Kyhi said:

If you use the recovery drive to reset the HDD back to factory settings ---
You must select - Keep current partitions....
Otherwise it WILL remove your data.....

How do I "Keep Current Partitions" ? I don't see this option.

I am going into Recovery mode >> Then "Choose the language" >> "Choose Keyboard layout" >> "Troubleshoot" > "Recover from a Drive"

Then I am presented with 2 options:

Just remove my files (Use this if you're keeping your PC)

and

Fully Clean the drive (Use this if you'll recycle the PC)

If I take "Just remove my files" then the next page says "If you've repartitioned your system drive, this will restore its default partitions"

Kyhi · 06 Jul 2016

Just remove my files (Use this if you're keeping your PC)

then I believe it is the next option or two...

there is a last chance option to confirm before any process starts...

your are still at the Q&A stage..

takeOnePassItOn · 07 Jul 2016

Kyhi said:

Just remove my files (Use this if you're keeping your PC)

then I believe it is the next option or two...

there is a last chance option to confirm before any process starts...

your are still at the Q&A stage..

I ran a quick test today and there is no such option. I can see a "Reset this PC" which I guess might be what you mean ? But this looks to be more of a reset as opposed to a restore which is what I am after in case of a true catastrophe.

fireberd · 07 Jul 2016

Best way is what was posted by Kyhi. Make a complete disc image (backup) to a separate drive using Macrium Reflect.

That should be done on a periodic basis. Its not for IF a backup will ever be needed, its for WHEN its needed.

Partitioning the same physical hard drive so part of it is recovery is dangerous. If the hard drive fails then your "backup" is also gone - you have nothing.