No free (partial) Restore into same disk as backup image possible?

[pstein]

I have a SSD with multiple partitions on it:

1. EFI partition
2. Windows 10 system partition
3. large Data partition
4. Recovery partition

In the past I gave Hasleo Backup Suite a try and performed a System Backup of partitions 1 + 2 + 4 but not 3
I store the .dbi file on partition 3 beside all my other stuff like videos, photos and more.

Now I have exactly the situation that I need to use and restore this image file.
So I booted Hasleo Backup Suite from USB flash drive and tried to restore the HBS image.

Much to my surprise HBS forces me to enable "Advanced" to specify what exactly to restore.
Why does HBS not auto-recognize the 3 previously backupped partitions in *.dbi archive?

Even worse: When I enabled "Advanced" Mode HBS informs me that I can only restore full disks in "Free" version but not a subset of partitions.

What is this?
very bad

Assume I copy the .dbi archive to an external USB flash drive and restore it from there:
Does that really mean that if I restore the full disk from external .dbi then partition 3 will be destroyed?
I cannot believe this

Normally "free" versions of imaging tools restrict backup (!) process (like no encryption) but allow FULL (!) restore.
HBS "Free" is completely useless since restore is not possible in scenarios like mine.
This restriction should be mentioned in a central location before persuade users to evaluate HBS.

Thank goodness I performed an Acronis Trueimage backup in the past too.
So I was save.

[dheijl]

If this is true: goodbye hasleo free.

[Froggie]

I don't know all the FREE vs PAID restrictions (I only use the PAID version) but you should be able to use "Partition" mode restore and do individual partitions without issue.

[garioch7]

@pstein,

If you are unable to restore individual partitions, I would be concerned too...  Nothing in the Hasleo User Guides or Comparison charts indicates such a limitation in the Free version.  Like @Froggie, I use the paid version of HBS Pro, so I cannot give you any first-hand experience.

As an aside, it is not the best idea to store your image on a partition in the OS disk.  If that Disk fails due to a hardware fault, your backup images are lost too.  I image my OS SSD (all partitions) to another internal HDD, and then copy the images to an external HDD only connected long enough to do the weekly copies.  That drive is stored in a fireproof, waterproof strong box in the basement.  Ransomware can't get to a disconnected external HDD, and I need not worry about an improbable disaster scenario where all of the three internal drives in my computer are rendered non-functional simultaneously.

That does not excuse Hasleo if it refuses to restore individual partitions in the Free version via a Rescue USB, but such an acknowledgement from Hasleo would greatly surprise me!


@dheijl, My advice is that we should wait for @admin to comment before pushing the panic button.

Regards,
Phil

[CDC9762]

I have the Free version and I booted up a Rescue USB stick.
Went to an existing image that had several partitions. In PARTITION mode, I was able to select a partition to restore. Although not necessary to do a "put it pack the way it was" restore, I clicked the Advanced feature I was given the option of resizing the partition, etc.
The feature that is lacking is restoring more than 1 partition at a time. You have to run through the process for each one since it will only allow the selection of 1 partition at a time.
I agree with @garioch7, it is folly to use a partition on the same physical disk that your are using as a repository for the backup image.

[Froggie]

@pstein - what you describe above was a "Disk/Partition Backup" not a "System Backup" (they are special and cannot be edited during creation of the task)... just trying to get HASLEO terminology straightened out here.

I would be happy to test your scenario but the only System I have that is like yours is running the PAID Pro version, all my FREE version Systems only have "System Backup" partitions on them.  I'll see if I can cull together a System to try out your scenario.

[CDC9762]

Not totally clear just what the OP selected.
System backup, backs up the partitions to restore a bootable Windows system and given the his partitions 1,2 and 4, I'd say that is the "System".
HBS, at least a while ago when I asked, does not allow other partitions to be added to the System backup but you can use the Disk/Partition feature. The risk for doing the Disk/Partition selection is that a lot of people still think that you just need C partition to backup a bootable Windows PC which, apart from convenience, is a reason the System option is available.
If you are restoring a System image, the Disk Mode - Partitions Mode - File Mode buttons get changed to System Mode - Partitions Mode - File Mode.
The above is with the Free Rescue version.

[n8chavez]

I get it. The ability to restore more than one partition at a time, while not restoring every partition in the images, was something I too requested. I don't get why HBS functions this way. Every other imaging app will allow this. I think it gets to caught up in its modes. Why the need for a "System" restore mode and a "Partition" restore mode. Just let users tick which partitions they want to restore and that's it. Anything else leads to confusion.