Backing up data - with or without "sector by sector"?

Most advanced backup tools includes an option called "sector by sector". Does this option have to be checked when I backup system partition (an image)? I mean.. In case of HDD failure I have system image and I can easily restore my system on another HDD. Then, if needed, copy backuped data / files from another backup.

I do want to understand when and in which cases the "sector by sector" option is a must to check.

EDIT:
I have read the "possible duplicate question" and I understand that the option allows for backing up the disk in a way that allows accessing deleted / not wiped files. I asked my question in context of restoring system from image backup. I mean.. I want to know, if the "sector by sector" option influence in any way the possibility of restoring system (do windows files have to be in specific place / on specific sectors).

Krzysztof Szynter

Posted 2011-05-10T19:47:16.927

Reputation: 683

One issue that doesn't appear to be covered by the answers is that some programs hide information in specific locations for licensing or copy protection purposes. Sector by sector will restore this. Without sector by sector, you might need to reinstall the software from the original media or deal with the publisher to reactivate it, or possibly buy a new license. – fixer1234 – 2014-12-27T07:47:24.753

possible duplicate of What's the difference between disk backup and disk copy?

– sblair – 2011-05-10T19:50:01.157

Yes, info about undeleted files was clear and answered my question. But as i see i did not make my question clear enough. I will edit the question to be more precise. – Krzysztof Szynter – 2011-05-10T21:29:33.327

Answers

The sector by sector option will make no difference to a normal backup or clone of your system. You do not have to check that option. The physical location of a file within a partition is pretty much irrelevant for everyday use.
If your disk was in the process of failing (increasing bad blocks, etc) and you wanted to take a "snapshot" of the drive to help with recovery, then a sector by sector copy will try to do that. It means you can run recovery utilities on the new HDD rather than on a failing one that could well be losing more and more data as you try to access it.

Tog

Posted 2011-05-10T19:47:16.927

Reputation: 4 747

A sector by sector copy is only useful for forensics ... when you want to know what the disc has been doing. You use that option to basically save the raw writes for later inspection. For you and me we only need ghost (or whatever you're using) to pack the files that are not marked for deletion and store them into its image format. This is much quicker for image creation and restoring.

pcunite

Posted 2011-05-10T19:47:16.927

Reputation: 1 126

As far as I understand Sector by sector clone will create a destination disk the exact same size as the source disk. If your destination disk is bigger you shouldn't select it.

I think you could use partition magic to make the other space useable if you do.

But the main reason you want to use sector by sector is if you need to recover files from bad sectors. A sector by sector clone will clone even the bad sectors - unchecked will not copy bad sectors. If your hard drive is good there's no need to select sector by sector. A clone is an exact copy of the source and your cloned drive should be bootable.

Clone your drive take the old one out and save it as a backup and use the cloned drive as your new one.

chrisdude

Posted 2011-05-10T19:47:16.927

Reputation: 1