Solved Is this a real back-up or did I mess it up??

2harts4ever

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Hi,

I was checking out my first and only Win7 back-up on my External Drive a few minutes ago. I found three items on my External Drive:

(1) Phil-HP
(2) WindowsImageBackup
(3) MediaID.bin

When I clicked on Properties for the three I discovered:

(1) had '0-bytes'
(2) had '16 bytes'
(3) had '528 bytes'

My External Drive says that a little more than 60 GBs of free space was used to make the backup.

Shouldn't that figure be showing in one of the three items I listed?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever
 

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Open WindowsImageBackup. It will ask for authorization. The page shouid look something like that (after 3 opens). The VHD at the bottom of the page is actually your image. You can mount that if you like:
 

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Hi whs,

Yep ... did what you said and at the bottom I have two entries. The first is a little more than 38 GBs and the 2nd one is a little more than 10 GBs.

When I did the backup I was under the impression that it was (a) backing up my files (I let Windows decide which ones) and (2) that a System Image was also being created.)

Is that what the two entries above represent?

Also, what are the other two items in my original post used for:

(1) Phil-HP
(3) MediaID.bin

I appreciate your patience :D and information. :)

Regards,

2harts4ever
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1AMD A6-36008 GBsAMD Radeon HD
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion p7-1157c
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
CPU
AMD A6-3600
Motherboard
Pagatron 2ACF 1.01
Memory
8 GBs
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD
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Realtec High Definition Audio
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1. the other 2 files are just control files. Just disregard them.
2. Looks like you imaged 2 partitions. do the following:

a. go to Disk Management and click on the Action button - top left

b. click on "Attach VHD"

c. navigate to one of the VHDs (with browse), highlight that and click Open - or double click on it

d. go to Computer. The VHD should show up as a normal volume which you can open and look what it is. Then you can do the same with the other VHD. And don't worry, those volumes will disappear from Computer with the next reboot.
 

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whs,

WOW! Keep this information coming and someday I might be the one answering questions on this forum ...lol

Seriously, I really appreciate all your time and patience.

Hopefully you have time for me to ask one more question.

When I used WinXP before getting Win7 I always used and trusted Acronis True Image. Do you think it is safe to stop using Acronis and just stick with Win7 backup or would you say to continue using both?

Basically the only thing I used the External Drive for is for Backup purposes.
I am getting a larger External hard drive (1TB) because I have been using my present one (250GBs) for four or five years so space shouldn't be an issue.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1AMD A6-36008 GBsAMD Radeon HD
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion p7-1157c
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
CPU
AMD A6-3600
Motherboard
Pagatron 2ACF 1.01
Memory
8 GBs
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD
Sound Card
Realtec High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 2311 Wide LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Keyboard
HID Keyboard Device
Mouse
Microsoft USB Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)
Other Info
BIOS: AMI 7.06
Don't worry. I have all the time of the world to answer your questions

Acronis is a good program if you get it for free. If not, use free Macrium (which I use) or free Paragon. These are the best free imaging programs. But stay away from Windows7 imaging. It is a dog in many regards. The list of defects is too long to type - it would wear out my 2 fingers, LOL.

More questions ???
 

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You asked for it ... More questions ???

You said to stay away from the Win7 Image Program. I didn't know I had a choice when I did my backup. It automatically did the image. Is there a setting I am missing to stop Win7 from doing the Image?

Thanks,

Phil (the bad half of 2harts4ever ... lol)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1AMD A6-36008 GBsAMD Radeon HD
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion p7-1157c
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
CPU
AMD A6-3600
Motherboard
Pagatron 2ACF 1.01
Memory
8 GBs
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD
Sound Card
Realtec High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 2311 Wide LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Keyboard
HID Keyboard Device
Mouse
Microsoft USB Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)
Other Info
BIOS: AMI 7.06
You can download the trial version of Acronis True Image 12 and give that a whirl if you wish.

Acronis True Image Home 2012

It does seem to get good write-ups from those that use it and it is more versatile than the the Windows 7 backup utility.

You don't actually stop the Windows 7 image program - you just don't use it if you're using Acronis or something similar instead.
 

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Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
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Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz
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Just go to Control Panel\System and Security\Backup and Restore and change the settings.

Then install free Macrium and make your images with that. If you have questions, let me know. Unfortunately my Macrium video tutorial on the forum is for a backlevel Macrium release. The current release (5.0) is however somewhat different. So no good to look at it in detail but it may still give you an idea. One day I have to make an updated tutorial.
 

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CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
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2x HP w2207
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5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
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with trackball - no mices
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Internet Speed
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seavixen32 and whs,

@seavixen32: I appreciate you taking the time to respond. :)

@whs: I appreciate your tip on the free Macrium image program. I will check it out.

However, I have been using Acronis True Image for a few years and as of now I am satisfied with it. I had to use it a few years back when I played with my computer more than I should have (I'm pushing 70 and sometimes I don't know when to back off ...lol :o) and it saved my aging 'butt' :thumbsup:like it was advertised to do.

Once again, I sincerely thank you for taking the time in helping Windows7 make more sense to me.

I hope both of you have a great weekend!

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

PS: You'll most likely be seeing more of me until I get to understand the 'ins and outs' of this system.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1AMD A6-36008 GBsAMD Radeon HD
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion p7-1157c
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
CPU
AMD A6-3600
Motherboard
Pagatron 2ACF 1.01
Memory
8 GBs
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD
Sound Card
Realtec High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 2311 Wide LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Keyboard
HID Keyboard Device
Mouse
Microsoft USB Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)
Other Info
BIOS: AMI 7.06
As I said earlier, Acronis is a fine program and if you are used to it, use it by all means. But if you have to dish out money, the free options are great too.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
You're very welcome, 2harts4ever.

Do check out the tutorials too, as Brink and his helpers have produced a mine of information that we continually refer to.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-BitIntel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz8Gb Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHznVidia GeForce GTX 460 1024MB dedicated RAM
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion Elite 495UK
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz
Motherboard
MSI 2A9C (CPU1)
Memory
8Gb Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce GTX 460 1024MB dedicated RAM
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP2310i
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1x1954GB Hitachi HDS22020ALA 330 (RAID), 1x1954GB Hitachi External for backup and storage
PSU
460W
Case
HP Elite
Cooling
Air cooled
Keyboard
Logitech K750 solar-powered keyboard
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M180 mouse
Internet Speed
2Mb
Other Info
Pure Avanti Flow Internet Radio with iPod Dock, 64Gb iPod, HP USB Speakers, Sony MDR-V500 Headphones, Sony Vaio F-Series Laptop
seavixen32,

I plan on doing just that.

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1AMD A6-36008 GBsAMD Radeon HD
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion p7-1157c
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
CPU
AMD A6-3600
Motherboard
Pagatron 2ACF 1.01
Memory
8 GBs
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD
Sound Card
Realtec High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 2311 Wide LCD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Keyboard
HID Keyboard Device
Mouse
Microsoft USB Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)
Other Info
BIOS: AMI 7.06
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