Creating a bootable tape image

This option is available only for the local media server with a compliant bootable tape device.

Use the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard to create a bootable tape image, and then run an overwrite backup job so that the image is written to the tape.

The Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard also enables you to update the *.dr file on a regular basis, and to recreate the bootable tape image whenever hardware, SCSI drivers, or tape drivers change on the computer. Prior to a disaster, test the bootable tape to ensure that the computer can start from it. Follow the tape drive manufacturer’s documentation for testing tape drive booting capability.

Before starting this procedure, review the requirements for running the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard.

See About requirements for running the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard.

See Updating a bootable tape image.

To create a bootable tape image

A bootable tape drive and its driver must be detected by the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard before the option to create a bootable tape image is displayed.

  1. On the Tools menu, click Wizards > Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard.

    By default, the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Preparation Wizard uses this computer to prepare the bootable tape image. If this computer does not have the IDR Option installed locally, select another media server on which the IDR Option is installed to create the boot image.

  2. Do one of the following:


    To use this computer to create the bootable tape image

    On the Welcome screen, click Next.

    To use another computer to create the bootable tape image

    Click Choose a media server that has the IDR Option installed.

    See Preparing IDR media by using other media servers.

  3. Under Create, select Bootable Tape Image for use with bootable tape devices, and then click Next.

  4. Read the Starting Tape Image Creation screen, and then click Next.

  5. Type a path to store the bootable image until you perform a full backup, or click Browse to navigate to a storage location.

  6. Click Next.

  7. Type a path to the location of the Windows operating system files, or click Browse to navigate to the location.

  8. Click Next.

  9. When the bootable tape image has completed, click Next.

  10. To view the computer’s hard disk configuration, click View Disk Configuration.

  11. Click Finish.

  12. Run an overwrite backup job so that the bootable image is written to the tape.

More Information

Recovering a computer by using the Intelligent Disaster Recovery Wizard

Creating a bootable tape image