Cloning an EXT4 partition

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Wed, 7 Aug 2019 07:21:46 -0700, Kevin O'Gorman wrote:
>For the images, I have been using tar, dd, ntfsclone and gzip with no
>problems.
>The experiment that failed used partclone..
>
>I also just noticed that ntfsclone by itself is not enough to preserve
>a bootable Windows partition.  You have to also copy the first 16
>sectors (see http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs-partition-boot-sector.htm)
>I'm wondering if partclone.ntfs takes care of that.  I'll be
>experimenting.

In my experiences Windows backups gain absolutely nothing.
I once tried to restore Windows 98 or XP, I don't remember which
Windows, after a HDD failed. Since the new HDD wasn't the old HDD ;),
Windows didn't accepted the restored install. I don't remember the exact
problem, but probably it's enough, if the HDD reports back another
serial number via SMART.