Windows 7: Windows Backup Disc Image

Hi,

Just a few quick questions about the disc image tool in Windows Backup. Does it restore programs? By this I mean if I restore the disc, will all the programs be fully functioning? I was under the impression that this is so, but I have also been told that it is not.



Also does the Backup restore to a different model/make of computer? Wouldn't this cause conflicts with drivers and OEM-bundled software?

Thanks,
Wasila

Hello Wasila,

Yes, when you create a system image backup of your C: drive and any other selected drives, it will include everything on them when you do a system image recovery. It's best to save the system image to a separate HDD for better reliability.

You will not be able to do a system image recovery to a different computer than what the system image was created on. It would indeed cause confilcts, and may not even start.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I was told (by a member of PCWorld's TechGuys - a major UK computer chain, no less) that it did not copy over the .exe files due to legal issues. He was speaking rubbish then?

If he was referring to system images, then yes he was speaking rubbish. I use system images all the time, and they are a complete clone of the selected HDD's when the image was created.

Now, a normal backup will not include your programs though unless you check the option to have it include a system image. You or he may be thinking about this backup instead.

Thanks for the advice, however I have just discovered that, on Home Premium at least, backup to network drives is not supported. Could you suggest any trustworthy alternatives for disc imaging with this capability?

Wasila

The standard alternatives mentioned in these parts are Acronis True Image, Macrium Reflect, and Paragon.

The first two are available in free versions for most people. Not sure about Paragon.

You'd have to go to their forums or websites to get clearcut info on whether network backup is supported--or another member here may have first hand knowledge.

Wasila,

Macrium Reflect is a good free choice.

Features:

• Create a disk image whilst running Windows using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS).
• Image to Network, USB, FireWire drives and DVD.
• Built in scheduler.
• 32 bit and native 64 bit versions.
• Industry leading compression levels and speed.
• Linux based Rescue CD with Network access and full GUI. Only 6.5MB in size!
• Built in CD/DVD packet writing engine. Supports packet writing to DVD DL media with Windows Vista.
• HTML log files.

Curius problem with Macrium Reflect. It appears to show all three system partitions in one (as seen by the reported disc size). I have one system/program partition, one (currently empty) partition for Data which I created with Windows Partitioning Tool, and one recovery partition.

This combined disc is also greyed out and labelled 'Invalid'. It fails to appear in the wizard and when I selected it and clicked 'create image' it completed instantly, with an unuseable 1KB back up file.

How come the program does not recognise my partitions?

Thanks,
Wasila

Here is my Macrium window.

Can you post yours so we can take a look?

If your Window looks similar to mine at that stage, post the Window where you are having the issue.

Notice the Inactive single parition.

Thanks,
Wasila