Windows 7: Macrium

Apologies if this is an improper location for this post, I received help here before.

I recently re-formatted my vista pc to Windows 7. I had posted asking about an imaging program (Windows 7/Macrium) and decided to go with Macrium Free, but I just noticed I don't have the option to do an "Incremental" back up, If using the free addition. Is my only choice to do a "complete disk image" every time? Unless I'm missing something.

I printed the tutorial at Macrium's site, but the walk through screen shots don't look exactly like the program I'm using, I believe they are for the full edition.
I'm I better off to purchase the full product and schedule an "Incremental" back up to run on a regular basis?

So far using Macrium Free, I have - 1. made a "Rescue CD" in the Linux recovery environment. I'm hesitant to test this CD for fear It will screw something up, I know I need to, but don't understand exactly how to do it, or what to expect!

The instructions say to power machine completely down before using (Testing?) the "Rescue CD" ?? How am I supposed to get the disc into the tray with the machine off ? Can I insert the disc, then power down, then re-power?
what do I need to look for and where do I stop the process to just check the "Rescue CD" for a working copy, before it moves the image to my fully functional pc?
2. I went ahead and created a "Disc Image" in it's own folder on an external HD.



Thanks in advance.. for any help!
Bret

1. There are no incrementals in free Macrium - only in the Pro version. As far as I am concerned, that is the better deal anyhow. If you make incrementals and lose any incremental in the middle of the chain, you lost the whole chain. Whilst with independent images, you are always safe- at best you lose one but still have all the others. At the low price of disks these days, i rather go with that.

2. Free Paragon makes incrementals - but as I said, I warn against incrementals.

3. For the purposes of testing, see my procedure below. That is safe and you risk nothing. You may also watch my Macrium video tutorial and read the text in the pink box: Imaging with free Macrium

Macrium test

1. Shrink 2GBs from C and define a simple volume (partition) - let's call it Y
2. Move some files (any files) into Y - I always also move the sample picture folder in (you'll see why)
3. Define a test folder on your external backup disk - call it Mtest
4. Make an image of Y to Mtest - requires that you make a new definition
5. Delete a couple of pictures from the sample picture folder on Y (I always use the 2 animals)
6. Reboot and tap (ESC, F2 or whatever it is on your system) to get into the BIOS boot sequence
7. Set your boot sequence to CD/DVD reader
8. Throw in the Macrium recovery CD and let it run, then hit Enter
9. Now you are in the recovery wizard, set it to Mtest where it says "Locate Image" and to Y where it says "Choose partition to overwrite with the image data".
Note: the partition letters may not be the same as on your system. Macrium uses its own lettering. Best is to go by the size of the partitions and open it with the little + in the front.
10. Watch out when it asks whether to replace the Master Boot Record - in this case say "do not replace" because this is only a data partition. If that were your system partition, you would replace the MBR provided you do not have a separate boot partition.
11. When you get the little window saying "Your computer will now reboot", you have to hit "Cancel" (on the bottom" to get it to reboot. That's a little strange way to end the session, but that's the way it is.
12. Check whether the 2 animals in the sample picture folder are back. That shows you that the recovery worked.

When you have done these steps, you did the whole cycle and have learned

1. That your recovery disk works
2. How to recover
3. That things work

Now you can delete the little 2GB partition and add it back to it's originating partition.
If you are not familiar with the creation and deletion of partitions, watch this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html

Thanks WHS, I really enjoy your tutorials they are very well done!
I still have questions about testing the "Rescue Disc" as mentioned in my first post?
Thanks again
Bret

Why don't you use the little test procedure I posted. It may sound like a lot, but it is actually very simple. I demo that in less than 10 minutes in my classes. The advantage is that you run no risk at all and then you learned a lot and know that things work. Please let us know how you make out. You can always refer to the tutorials when you get stuck - or ask here.

I guess maybe I wasn't clear, I recently had a pc crash due to operating system errors, and would, in that specific case need to use the "Rescue Disc" for start up. The "rescue disc" is what I need help with on testing.
I don't want to foul up anything on my re-formatted system.
Thanks
Bret

Bret, I do understand completely. With my little Macrium test, you will test the recovery CD. Understand that this CD contains a little program running under Linux that will pull the image in - any Macrium image. An if it works properly with my little test procedure, it will work for the "real thing" too.

Another question, of course, is whether your image is whole. There is always the possibility that one has a bum image (although I have never seen that). The best way to protect yourself against that is to make and keep many images. Maybe you want to read my little tutorial on imaging strategies.

Ok WHS, I'll give your instructions a complete try. You have already been a big help in getting my first image shot and made using this program very easy! Thanks for all your help.
Best Regards
Bret

You can test that the linux boot disk works and you can get to the stage were it sees images before pulling the plug if you're worried about checking for full images. But WHS's test should be convincing enough.
I don't think you will ever be fully confident until you restore your first full system image - at least I wasn't.

Also double click on one of the *.mrimg images and Macrium will mount it to view the contents.

+1

~Maxx~

You guys should trust your own skills a bit more - LOL