Can you backup a System Image OR Files and Folders to a 2nd internal drive if the computer is set to multiboot (dual boot) and one of the multiboot OS's is on the 2nd internal HD? I have read two conflicting statements, one saying you cannot do it, one saying you can. Supposedly you cannot (or should not) backup to the drive that holds the active OS? I would like to dual boot my computer, placing the 2nd OS on my 2nd internal HD. Right now I use my 2nd internal HD for backup. Before I go about setting the dual boot system up, I would like to know, before I set this up, if I still will be able to backup to the 2nd internal HD once one of the dual boot OS is on the 2nd internal drive. Can you do it, with regards to Files and Folders AND a System Image? Thanks

If your HDD's are big enough, you could partition and have backup set to the partition, but Like I found out even 1tb drive doesnt take long to fill up. I dual boot with vista and 7, the basic between the two require 130gb of drive to backup on. That is only the start to backup, I have 7 set to backup once a week, and have it set for multiple image backup, (I may need to recover to an earlier image if something got through to my pc and it also got backed). You should get an external HDD to use for your data and backup needs, but if you do have big drives, you should have no issues.

If their is space on the 2nd drive, no problem.

Thanks for your reply. So, what they tell you in the Microsoft 70-680 Configuring Windows 7 Training Kit book is incorrect! They say, with regards to scheduling backups with Backup and Restore and a 2nd internal HD, Chapter 14, page 731 at the bottom of the page. "If your computer has two internal hard drives and you have chosen to implement a dual-boot system with an OS on both of these drives, you cannot use either of the hard drives as a backup destination for the other."

You will need to partition a drive to backup to. You will not be able to back op to an OS's drive. If OS's is drive C and you partion C to now create Z, you can backup on Z, you cannot backup on C. With dual boot both OS's are recognized, Which ever OS' you have up at the moment will be C, the other will be what ever the up OS's has assigned, you cannot backUp to those drive spaces. If you create a partition, that will be considered a seperate drive, you should be able to backup to that drive. And the drive letters will change from one OS's to the other. That doesnt matter, each OS will remember themselves.

When I backup, my backup software will always warn me if I try to backup to the system drive, not that it cant but just a bad idea. I do it in certain situation. It just sounds like your software is not going to let you. It should let you make that decision.

If you want a dual boot system, that's all fine, but as far as thinking about a sound backup plan, I would suggest that you leave your two drives alone, for your dual booting. Go buy an external hard drive, USB's are cheap at big box stores or online. That way you can schedule backups, or initiate a backup of whatever of the two OS's you have booted up on, and now you have viable backups for both.-- :P Advice offered, If you need more help it is advised to seek the council and advice of paid professionals. The answer is always 42, or reboot.

It's not a bad idea. It's a great idea. It sop in real system. Renee

Thanks, great easy to understand explanation (I'm assuming you are correct because I haven't tried it yet). So basically, it's just the terminology that is confusing. You can backup to a physical HD that has an OS on it (although not recommended) as long as you create another partition on that same physical drive and the letter associated with the new partition is not C (new partition is then recognized as another 'drive').

Okay, thanks.

Thanks, good point.