Windows 7: how to get image onto win7 without installing the win7 os ?

im new here, so first hello all.

i use windows xp for my DAW and Linux for everything else.
i have now Windows 7 but before i format the pc i need help with one problem.

currently
when xp OS software becomes unstable all i need to do is
1, get my ghost ver8 which is on a boot cd
2, boot to prompt and run ghost to find the image on another partition
3, restoring the image takes 10 minutes
4, restart
after the steps above win xp and my DAW is back to the perfect working order.

win 7 does not support ghost 8 (dos version) and neither can i boot to prompt.
so that is my big headache.

is there a way that i can image my hdd partition but most importantly to restore the image on the hdd without installing Windows 7 ?



thank you
Tux Ulin

Acronis true home does that and a whole lot more. Doesnt have the Bloat of symantec, and can convert win 7 back ups to acronis and acronis to win y7.

Ken J

Windows 7 has built-in drive imaging: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Since Windows 7 imaging wants to wipe the entire HD before reimaging, if you want more flexibility in a free app try Macrium Reflect or Paragon 10. With any WD or Seagate HD there is also excellent Acronis free ap on their Support Downloads webpage for your model HD.

Your best arrangement for a multi-boot setup is to use separate HD's, unplug the others during install, then when you plug them back in boot via BIOS boot order or boot menu. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please.

Tips on getting a purrfect install based on hundreds done here: re-install windows 7

Here is what I am using with 100% success. I have restored more than 20 times without any problems: Imaging with free Macrium

For Ghost, you need V15 in Windows 7 - I used Ghost14 for Vista, but that is a lot more complicated than Macrium.

thanks alot for all the replies, ill try out your tips.

it seems things were so simple under win xp..... all i needed to do was to boot in prompt run ghost 8 and image then to restore was the same.... thats it done.

im not technical at all. i just need is a simple solution.

anyway ill stop the bla bla bla and get working on suggestions provided here.

thanks again
Tux

Also using Windows 7 built-in tools, it couldn't be simpler. Whenever I need to restore an image, I just boot with Windows 7 DVD, choose Repair your computer, and then choose an image I've stored on external drive.



Kari

Or buy Acronis True Image as was suggested and install the Startup Recovery Manager. This give the option to press F11 at boot which launches ATI and alllows you to restore your backup image. I like it as it does not require me to boot a CD first.

I'm going to have to try Macrium, Wolfgang, as I've had Acronis, Paragon and Windows 7 backup imaging fail at one time or another and would like to find one which always works. Thanks for the recommendatino.

Greg, for you that will be a piece of cake. Today I made my first backup to a USB3 attached external (on my Sony Vaio Christmas present). I'll have to test how the Linux recovery program can deal with that.

well thanks for all the help again
i read up and and tried a few of the provided solutions that is here.
at the end of the day i think i will stay with macrium reflect.

the reason is, its its real simple for a window7 idiot like me, i dont
need all the extra functions becuase i dont think ill ever use them
and lastly its free.

i made an image then destroyed my mbr and reloaded the image
again using their recovery disk.... LOL while making the recovery disk
i chosed linux machine.... seems like windows 7 dislikes people booting
directly to prompt. hhhmmmm

any way thank you all
Tux