Macrium Image Restoration -- A "D'oh" Question

Sesitos · 25 May 2011

Well. I've got a tiny little problem with html (etc) files not showing up with the proper (firefox) icon, and system restore has not worked remotely reliably on my machine for some time. And has not now.

So, one option is to restore (or whatever the correct verb is) the last Macrium Image I created (C (OS) Drive) - which (I believe) was created at a time before the silly icon problem surfaced. As I understand it, that should solve the problem.

However, as I contemplate restoring this image, it occurs to me for the first time that my C (OS)Drive will -- as a result of the "restore" be rolled back to that image, which means - does it not ? - that all data files which have been created and saved there in the interim will vanish into the aether.

So this is my "d'oh" question, part 1. Is the last paragraph, above, accurate?

If so, then "obviously" I should make backups of where I store files on my C drive; backup my firefox bookmarks; and backup my LiveMail emails and contacts - and save them to a different location. Prior to the "Macrium image restore", so that afterwards I can make everything hunkey-dorey again.

So this is my "d'oh" question, part 2. Is the last paragraph, above, accurate?

Sorry for asking what appears to be such a basic question, but this will be the first time I'm restoring a Macrium Image to my "working computer", and I approach it with a little trepidation. Trepidation both because (1) this is, after all, my "working computer" whose OS I am intending to wipe out and replace, and because (2) the exercise will be a pain in the ass more than generally might otherwise be the case, since the image was taken right after I installed Microsoft Word (Office XP 2002), but before the deluge of Word updates following that install were themselves installed. As such, once I get the saved image "restored", it will be a bit of work to get things back to normal again (and no doubt there are other intervening Windows updates in the mix as well . . .)

Thanks in advance for your comments/responses.

essenbe · 26 May 2011

Sorry, but I am not sure what your question is. You are correct in that it will restore the image to the way the computer was at the time the image was taken. The procedure is quite simple and quick with Macrium. It is quite easy to restore your files and folders after the backup. Just make sure to back them up first. The only issue will be the programs you installed since the image was taken and yes the updates too. I hope these answered your questions.

BTW, In the future, to avoid these issues you should consider making frequent backups. I make a backup every day. I also backup to an internal hard drive and 2 external hard drives. You can never trust a hard drive. I learned the hard way. There is also a simple program that will backup all of your user folders. Microsoft Synctoy. I use that daily. User files, to me, are the most important. You can reinstall the OS and programs if necessary, but you can't replace many documents, family photos and the like. I hope this has helped. If not write back and I will try to answer your questions.

profdlp · 26 May 2011

essenbe gave you good advice. :)

You could also try using the Windows Backup tool to save your data to another drive or partition before restoring the image. The most straightforward method would be to just copy it over manually, and is what I'd recommend. Make sure you get the folders for any saved games, documents, music, videos, email, etc. Then just copy it back in after the image has been restored and you've reinstalled any programs which have been installed since you made the image.

For that matter, restoring the image to a spare drive is probably the safest way to go. That way your current drive will be intact in case you need a "do-over".

I couldn't agree more with what essenbe told you about frequent backups. I have my data (all types) backed up to a separate drive every night and do a full C: image weekly on Sunday morning. If my drive croaked right now I would still have all my data and would only have to worry about any system changes made in the last three days.

essenbe · 26 May 2011

Thanks for the vote of confidence profdlp. I just happen to be a fanatic about backups. I always clone my OS to another hard drive frequently- just in case. I've lost everything before and learned the 'error of my ways'. I just didn't tell him I use 3 different backup programs to do backups.

profdlp · 26 May 2011

Three programs here, too.

Cobian Backup to copy selected folders to my spare drive, https://www.dropbox.com/install to stash critical stuff in a separate location, and Macrium Reflect for the weekly drive image.

Phone Man · 26 May 2011

One thing you can do is make a new image then after you restore your old image you can mount that new image and copy any files from it back to your system. This way in case you missed something you need you can still get it back. Click on the 3rd Icon from left and it will let you mount the image and it will show up under a new drive letter. The 4th Icon will unmount it.

Macrium Image Restoration -- A "D'oh" Question-image.png

Jim

essenbe · 26 May 2011

Phone Man said:

One thing you can do is make a new image then after you restore your old image you can mount that new image and copy any files from it back to your system. This way in case you missed something you need you can still get it back. Click on the 3rd Icon from left and it will let you mount the image and it will show up under a new drive letter. The 4th Icon will unmount it.

Jim

Good info. I use the program but didn't know that. +1

Sesitos · 26 May 2011

You guys and this forum are awesome. Thanks so much for clarifying things, alleviating my apprehensions, and in providing such on-point and helpful advice, tips and links. And so quick as well. Reps all-round. Thanks!

essenbe · 26 May 2011

This is the best forum on the internet. If you need other help, someone here is always willing to assist. And Thanks.

ignatzatsonic · 26 May 2011

Sesitos said:

However, as I contemplate restoring this image, it occurs to me for the first time that my C (OS)Drive will -- as a result of the "restore" be rolled back to that image, which means - does it not ? - that all data files which have been created and saved there in the interim will vanish into the aether.

So this is my "d'oh" question, part 1. Is the last paragraph, above, accurate?

If so, then "obviously" I should make backups of where I store files on my C drive; backup my firefox bookmarks; and backup my LiveMail emails and contacts - and save them to a different location. Prior to the "Macrium image restore", so that afterwards I can make everything hunkey-dorey again.

So this is my "d'oh" question, part 2. Is the last paragraph, above, accurate?

You are correct on all counts.

That is one of the shortcomings of imaging when you keep data on the same drive as the OS.

When you restore the OS, you also restore older data files, even when you have newer files and newer versions of old files.

All the more reason to keep data on a separate partition and to use something other than imaging to back up data files. There are many programs, free and otherwise, that can be used to back up data only WITHOUT making an image. I run such a program daily--takes less than 1 minute. I make images of my OS separately every month or so.