Copying the disaster recovery files

Symantec recommends that you copy the disaster recovery information *.dr files you created during the backup process to an alternate safe location.

The *.dr files reside in the \Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\IDR\Data directory, on the media server where IDR is installed.

To copy the disaster recovery files

  1. Run a full backup of the target computer.

    When running full backups for IDR preparation:

    • Ensure that full backups of each hard disk volume (C:, D:, etc.) were made. The *.dr files are not created or updated if you back up only individual directories.

      In addition, do the following:

      • For Windows 2000/XP, back up System State.

      • For Windows Server 2003/Vista/Windows Server 2008, back up the Shadow Copy and System State components.

    • If utility partitions are present on the computer, select them for backup.

      See About the Computer Name node in the backup selections list.

    • Do not include or exclude files from the backup using the Advanced File Selection feature.

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

    By default, the IDR Preparation Wizard uses this computer to copy the disaster recovery information to an alternate location. If this computer does not have the IDR option installed on it, select another media server on which the IDR option is installed to copy the disaster recovery files.

  3. Do one of the following:

    To use this computer to copy the disaster recovery information files

    On the Welcome screen, click Next.

    To use another computer to copy the disaster recovery information files

    On the Welcome screen, click Choose a media server that has the IDR option installed.

    See Preparing IDR media by using other media servers.

  4. Under Copy, click Disaster recovery information (.dr) files, and then click Next.

  5. Select the computer or computers for which you want to copy the disaster recovery information files.

  6. Enter a destination folder name in the Copy To field or click Browse to navigate to the destination folder, and then click Next.

    A destination folder can be on local drives, network drives, and USB thumb drives.

  7. On the Copy Disaster Recovery Information Files screen, click Next.

  8. When the Finish screen appears, the disaster recovery information files are copied.

    See Preparing IDR media by using other media servers.