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Disk Cloning with Bad Sectors: Acronis True Image Troubleshooting & Alternative Methods

Magic_moon 10935 14
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  • #1 16756188
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    Hello. Gentlemen, I have a little trouble with making a disk clone, because the source disk has bad sectors, and when I try in Acronis True Image I get a message about bad sectors. Of course I have the option to ignore bad sectors, but I think this is a wrong move. So if there is any proven, proven way to make a good 1: 1 copy, I would ask for help.
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  • #2 16756193
    Kasek21
    Level 43  
    How badly damaged is this drive?

    What does CrystalDiskInfo show?
  • #3 16756232
    Talibanczyk
    Conditionally unlocked  
    Magic_moon wrote:
    ..... but it seems to be a wrong move.


    Your thinking is wrong - as soon as possible clone the disk "with these errors" Because this may be the beginning of the end of your disk and in a moment you will not be able to clone it at all: / Only after cloning, start playing diagnostics and possible repair.
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  • #4 16756261
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    Hello. I post a photo.

    Disk Cloning with Bad Sectors: Acronis True Image Troubleshooting & Alternative Methods
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  • #5 16756288
    krzychupar
    Level 43  
    Make a post-sector backup with the DMDE program to another medium with the same capacity or greater and then reset and remap this disk. After that, re-SMART this drive.
  • #6 16756501
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    Hello . But this old disk goes straight to the trash, I will not play with zeroing etc. Well, unless you have to do this to do cloning?
  • Helpful post
    #7 16756535
    kokapetyl
    Level 43  
    Magic_moon wrote:
    But this old disk goes straight to the trash, I will not play with zeroing, etc.

    The disk is not damaged enough to give it up completely, it can even work as a system disk (after performing the repair procedure)
    Make a copy (try) as your colleague wrote above (under DMDE), and for now you can use the disk as a data store (it is worth checking the access times to sectors and the condition of the disk surface with MHDD in advance)
  • #8 16756546
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    I don't want to play this game. I have a new drive and I just want to do a cloning and just ask for help.
  • #9 16756565
    kokapetyl
    Level 43  
    Magic_moon wrote:
    I have a new drive and I just want to do a cloning and just ask for help.

    Answers have already been given, ignore bad sectors, or try another program (DMDE from CD). Do not run on existing system.
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  • #11 16756594
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    Ok, but how about those bad sectors? give eg: ignore all and then check pod system account for mistakes? or how? I am asking as a less experienced colleague.
  • Helpful post
    #12 16756595
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Magic_moon wrote:
    when trying to use Acronis True Image, a message about bad sectors appears.

    Hopefully you are not clone from the system you are cloning? What error? Such?:
    Disk Cloning with Bad Sectors: Acronis True Image Troubleshooting & Alternative Methods
    kokapetyl wrote:
    ignore bad sectors,

    This is key advice. You could have just ignored the sector. Perform a file system / system consistency check after cloning.
    SMART despite appearances does not show badsectors, only 1 sector awaiting remap (C5).
    More worried (01) - read errors. It may indicate that the mechanics are "falling" or the surface of the plate is actually not in perfect condition.
  • #14 16758024
    MaRciNoOs
    Level 29  
    I used to copy a sectorally damaged 240 GB disk, which Smart showed about 5000 bad sectors. Windows on that drive wouldn't even get up. I copied the disk sector-wise to the second DMDE program in the demo version ignoring the errors. After inserting the new disk into the computer, the error-fixing console started, they had it easily for 2 or 3 hours but he got up :) later he was working normally.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #15 16764674
    Magic_moon
    Level 32  
    Hello. I ignored bad sectors, repaired missing system files after cloning and the system works fine. Thank you for your help, gentlemen.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the challenges of cloning a disk with bad sectors using Acronis True Image. Users express concern about ignoring bad sectors during the cloning process, suggesting that it may lead to data loss. Recommendations include using alternative software like DMDE and EaseUS Disk Copy for sector-by-sector backups. Users emphasize the importance of cloning the disk promptly to avoid further damage and suggest performing diagnostics and repairs post-cloning. Some users share personal experiences of successfully cloning damaged disks by ignoring errors and subsequently repairing the system files, leading to functional recovery of the operating system.

FAQ

TL;DR: If SMART shows 1 sector awaiting remap (C5), clone now. “This is key advice. You could have just ignored the sector.” Then run a file‑system check. Tools: DMDE, Acronis (ignore errors), EaseUS. This FAQ explains safe 1:1 cloning with bad sectors. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16756595]

Why it matters: It helps anyone asking how to clone a failing HDD/SSD and boot again without losing data or time.

Quick Facts

Does ignoring bad sectors during cloning actually work?

Yes. The OP ignored bad sectors, repaired missing system files after the clone, and the system ran fine. This approach prioritizes data capture before further degradation. After cloning, run the OS repair tools or file-system check to fix inconsistencies created by unreadable sectors. Keep the old drive powered off once the clone boots, so you don’t worsen its state. “Clone, then repair” proved effective in this case and is a solid first move on unstable disks. [Elektroda, Magic_moon, post #16764674]

What’s the best tool to clone a disk with bad sectors?

Use DMDE for a sector-by-sector backup to a target of the same or larger capacity. It copies what’s readable and skips truly unreadable sectors, preserving layout for later repairs. Create the clone onto a known-good drive. Then attempt file-system repair on the clone, not the source. This limits stress on the failing disk and improves chances of success. Many practitioners start with DMDE for difficult cases because it is precise and transparent. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16756288]

Can I run Acronis True Image from Windows while cloning my system drive?

Avoid it. Boot from external media instead and choose the option to ignore bad sectors. Cloning from the live, failing source increases reads, lockups, and risk of corruption. A clean boot environment reduces file locks and background writes, making the process faster and safer. If Acronis balks, switch to a sector copy tool such as DMDE started from bootable media. This isolates the operation from the unstable OS. [Elektroda, kokapetyl, post #16756565]

How do I clone with DMDE in three steps?

  1. Connect the failing source and a same‑size or larger target drive.
  2. In DMDE, choose sector-by-sector copy from source to target.
  3. Start the copy; after completion, repair the file system on the clone. This captures maximum readable data while minimizing stress on the source. Then you work only on the clone for repairs and recovery. Keep the original untouched for safety until you confirm success. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16756288]

What does SMART C5 mean, and should I worry?

SMART C5 indicates sectors pending reallocation. Even a single pending sector means the surface or reads are unstable. “This is key advice. You could have just ignored the sector,” because cloning first preserves your data before more sectors fail. After the clone, the target’s surface is fine; the file system may still need repair. If C5 keeps growing on the source, retire it after you secure the clone. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16756595]

My disk shows ~5000 bad sectors. Can the system still be recovered?

Yes, it can be. A user cloned a 240 GB disk with about 5000 bad sectors using DMDE, ignoring errors. After installing the clone, the repair console ran for 2–3 hours, and the system booted and worked normally. This shows sector-level cloning plus post-clone repair can succeed even with heavy damage. Expect a long repair window and verify critical files after first boot. [Elektroda, MaRciNoOs, post #16758024]

Should I zero out or remap the failing drive before cloning?

No. Clone first. If you must, zeroing or remapping comes only after you’ve created a verified sector copy to another medium. Writing to a failing source can accelerate failure and destroy recoverable data. Once you have a safe clone, you can reset or remap the original for experiments or secondary use. Data safety always beats attempted fixes on the source. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16756288]

Is the old drive trash after cloning, or can I reuse it?

It may still serve as noncritical storage after proper repair and checks. One expert noted the disk wasn’t damaged enough to discard and could even run a system after remediation. Test access times and surface with MHDD before any reuse. Keep backups and monitor SMART. If errors grow, retire it permanently. Use it only for low-risk data if you keep it. [Elektroda, kokapetyl, post #16756535]

What does SMART attribute 01 (Read Error Rate) signal?

A high or worsening Read Error Rate suggests heads or surface issues. That increases the chance of stalls during cloning and future unreadable sectors. It’s an edge case where the mechanics may be failing. Reduce power cycles, keep the drive cool, and perform a single, controlled clone attempt. If clicking or timeouts worsen, stop and consider professional recovery. “More worried (01) – read errors.” [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16756595]

How do I handle Acronis True Image’s “bad sectors found” message?

Proceed by selecting the option to ignore bad sectors. This allows the clone to continue, capturing all readable blocks. After the operation, run a file-system consistency check on the clone to repair logical errors. This strategy balances speed and data preservation under surface degradation. If Acronis still fails, switch to a sector copy utility that tolerates read errors gracefully. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16756595]

Can EaseUS Disk Copy clone a drive with bad sectors?

Yes. Choose the sector-level copy mode in EaseUS Disk Copy. This mode attempts to read every sector and handles unreadables appropriately. Confirm the destination drive capacity is equal or larger. Run the copy from bootable media to avoid OS interference. After cloning, boot the target and let the system repair files as needed. Verify critical data once the OS loads. [Elektroda, pidar, post #16756629]

Must the target drive be the same size or larger than the source?

Yes, for straightforward sector-by-sector cloning the target should be the same capacity or larger. This ensures the sector map fits without complex resizing. If you need to migrate to a smaller SSD, use file-aware imaging or partition-level copy with selective data. For failing media, stay with equal-or-larger, sector-level methods to reduce complexity. [Elektroda, krzychupar, post #16756288]
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