Windows 7: My emergency toolkit?

With you all suffering through my 32-->64 bit upgrade I want to be as proactive as reasonable in being prepared for the inevitable.

Here's my current 'problem' toolkit--if it's missing important stuff, let me know please:
1. Windows 7 64 bit OS ISO boot (the one I just used)
2. Windows 7 Repair disk
3. Magic Partition Manager boot CD
4 ?

Mark

Hi Mark,
4. A recently made 'System Image' when everything is working before the wheels fall off again.

Got that covered. I replace a quarterly image from the nightly Acronis scheduled image + Second Copy data backups that run each night between our two computers.

What version of Acronis and have you had trouble with it. I'm on TIH 2010 build 5055.
Newer builds have suffered various glitches.

'10--7154, no problems at all. I was advised to stay put--newer is no better.

My theory is, if its not broken, don't fix it.

My emergency toolkit:
Acronis True Image 2011
Macrium Reflect
Windows 7 32/64-bit Repair Disc
Memtest86+
UBCD 5 (contains hd diagnostic utils)
SystemRescueCd (Linux system rescue disk)

Do yourself a favour, and use the fantastic tool below to create your multiboot usb/iso:
XBOOT

Hirens Boot CD
Partition Wizard (already on Hiren's I think).

Hi there
Hirens CD or similar -- It's all very well having an ISO image etc -- but sometimes you need a FUNCTIONING OS with web access too.

Any of these "Magic CD's" with things like Partition manager on them are fine -- they are usually Linux based but start up with a "Windows like" interface so Windows users should be able to navigate around quite easily.

Ideally this toolset should contain also your backup / restore program and your Windows 7 image from your current OS.

With cheap 32GB USB sticks you should be able to put all this stuff including a Windows 7 image on to it. 64 GB USB sticks are also around too although a little more pricey.

I prefer a USB stick --saves carrying DVD's or even portable HDD's around. Pretty well all computers now including laptops can boot from a usb stick - and some smaller laptops don't even have internal DVD drives any more either.

BTW I'm not sure if older versions of Acronis recognize eSata type disks or SSD's so you need to check that your backup / restore program REALLY DOES WORK before you find out in some place where you have to restore / repair a computer and the restore program doesn't work!!!.


BTW XBOOT technology is actually quite interesting -- I think the developer starts a mini Linux system which then runs QEMU (now there's an oldie !!!) which then acts as an application which boots a "Virtual Machine" from the ISO you have selected --- neat little trick. However I think the method below is even easier and has the advantage that you can use a standard Linux live CD.

Simply create a custom Live Linux CD of your choice, install vmware player for linux (version 3.01 available and is FREE) and then boot up your application ISO as the Virtual machine. QEMU is not the best way to run Virtual machines any more !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

Why have both Acronis and Macrium Reflect?