Desktops forum: restoring from back up

I backed up my system to an external drive using windows backup. I need to replace the drive that has gone bad.. What I want to know is can I restore to a new drive from an external backup and if so, how do I restore my system from the external backup to the new drive. I am running Windows Vista.
Your asking about what I did, return to day one or backup to what it was on a particular day seems to refer to a system restore to a previous day not restore the system from an external backup to a new HD.

My apologies if I misunderstood.

Install new drive in system after removing old bad drive. You will still need to install the OS, which would be a restore/recovery. Some users confuse backup and restore(understandably), but the process needs the OS back in place for a smooth reloading of the old data. It will re-populate whatever folders, etc. as it was. Because you used the OS backup feature, you need the other half which is part of the OS, restoring pgm. I made this distinction because there are "other backups" provided by other than the OS. You would then follow that procedure which in most cases has it's own disc to load prior to asking for the "data backup" or its own backup discs. A popular one being Acronis provided with sold PCs.

On top of all this, any backup may differ slightly from laptop or desktop models. However, since we're dealing with Vista and its backup process, it has the restore but only after reloading the OS> Then, you will need the restore discs to get at least the OS loaded. Once all done, click on the "restore backup" procedure and then it will ask for the backup source, ext. media in your case.

If it isn't hopeless, if you have OEM type PC, like HP or Dell, etc., they may provide backup s/w other than OS provided by the support website. After giving you SN# or service tag, etc. you can then provide to the required area. That similar s/w may also be provided by the drive maker, like WD or Seagate, again if the drive is working to a point.

tada -----Willy

Thanks Willy. I have the disc to install the OS. I actually built the computer myself. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again.