Need Help With Reflect

I MIGHT be getting a new computer from DELL. My first question is once I get this into my hands, should I make a image of the C drive? If so, will Reflect do the trick?

Personally I would perfer for DELL to send me an empty C drive, but I kinda of figure they have some special programs on it that makes the computer run better. I could be wrong, but it's a funny feeling that's all.

Next question, Reflect states that the only way to get the old system to the new system is to purchase the pro verison as the FREE verison will not do it. If I copy over the drive image wouldn't this do the the trick?

Is there a topic just on this software someplace in this room?

I MIGHT be getting a new computer from DELL. My first question is once I get this into my hands, should I make a image of the C drive? If so, will Reflect do the trick?

Yes, you can use Reflect to image the C drive. Depending on how Dell (or any other manufacturer) has the drive set up, you might find that it has 3 separate partitions. The smallest partition may be only 100MB and is usually called the Master Boot Record. The next partition may be around 10GB - 15GB and is called the Hidden Recovery Partition. This partition is usually accessed through the start menu or perhaps a recovery disk provided by Dell or one that you make. It allows you return your computer to exactly the same condition it was in when it left the factory. The 3rd and largest partition is the C: drive containing the operating system and any other manufacturer installed programs like Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, a trial version of some antivirus, etc. Reflect will give you the option to select which partition(s) you want to image.

As to whether you should immediately image the hard drive, that's up to you. I have a Dell Vostro and a Sony Vaio. I have an image on an external hard drive of how each machine was the day I bought it. I have another image made immediately after I installed Windows Updates, my own programs, their updates, etc. Then I make additional images every week. I also used the built in option to create my own recovery disks (took 3 DVDs for each machine.) If the internal hard drive ever dies, I have images and disks to recreate my machines.

Personally I would perfer for DELL to send me an empty C drive, but I kinda of figure they have some special programs on it that makes the computer run better. I could be wrong, but it's a funny feeling that's all.

I'm a little confused. When you say "an empty C drive" do you mean completely empty as not even an operating system, or just the operating system and nothing else? Some of the factory installed programs can be useful, like the hidden recovery partition. Some of it is just bloatware. But you could use a free program called PC Decrapifier that can help you decide what to remove from the hard drive.

Next question, Reflect states that the only way to get the old system to the new system is to purchase the pro verison as the FREE verison will not do it. If I copy over the drive image wouldn't this do the the trick?

Is there a topic just on this software someplace in this room?

Again, apologies for my confusion. Are you wanting to transfer the contents of an old hard drive to the new computer including the operating system? Too many variables to give a definite answer. Is the old system OEM and tied to that old machine where it can't legally be moved to another machine? Or is it a full install system that can be moved to a different machine? Or are you wanting to move only your personal data? You might find something like the free Microsoft SyncToy a better option. But even the free version of Reflect allows imaging and cloning.

Have you gone through the extensive Reflect help articles? They've also got a great Knowledge Base as well as a support forum.

Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging and Backup - Help

And one of our forum members made these tutorials:

Imaging with free Macrium (v4.2)

Macrium Version 5.0 - Tutorial update

Hope some of this helps.

See comments in bold.

timlab1955 said:

I MIGHT be getting a new computer from DELL. My first question is once I get this into my hands, should I make a image of the C drive? If so, will Reflect do the trick?

Reflect would work, but Dells already include a means of restoring to factory specifications through the recovery partition.


Personally I would perfer for DELL to send me an empty C drive, but I kinda of figure they have some special programs on it that makes the computer run better. I could be wrong, but it's a funny feeling that's all.

Nothing Dell puts on there is going to "make the computer run better", but some of the programs Dell puts on there might be useful. You can certainly find equivalents for them elsewhere. You would have to examine each program after you get the PC and make a decision about it.

Next question, Reflect states that the only way to get the old system to the new system is to purchase the pro verison as the FREE verison will not do it. If I copy over the drive image wouldn't this do the the trick?

Why would you want to move an old "system" onto a new Dell and thereby overwrite your new installation?

I'm not sure if Dell includes a disc that can clean install Windows alone, without all the extra programs. If necessary, you could download a Windows ISO from My Digital Life, burn it to a DVD, and install from that. Such an installation would not include all of the extra stuff Dell puts on the PC by default.

If you are referring to your personal files, use ordinary means to transfer to the new PC, such as a backup from an external drive, temporarily installing the old hard drive into the new machine, a USB stick, a crossover cable, a series of DVD burns, etc. No need to get involved with an imaging application to transfer data files.

timlab1955 said:

I MIGHT be getting a new computer from DELL. My first question is once I get this into my hands, should I make a image of the C drive? If so, will Reflect do the trick?

Personally I would perfer for DELL to send me an empty C drive, but I kinda of figure they have some special programs on it that makes the computer run better. I could be wrong, but it's a funny feeling that's all.

Next question, Reflect states that the only way to get the old system to the new system is to purchase the pro verison as the FREE verison will not do it. If I copy over the drive image wouldn't this do the the trick?

Is there a topic just on this software someplace in this room?

1) For Dell I suggest you pay for the clean install disks as well (not much extra).
2) Macrium Reflect (free) should enable you to image every partition on the Dell Factory install and reimage to a brand new HDD if required. Reference to the statement from Macrium that states otherwise would help.
I have done this on an ACER machine without problems.

The reason why I'm asking so many questions about Reflect is because $60.00 is alot of money, even tho I think it's worth it, but that's besides the point. My I guess last question is this, is that I know for a FACT now that I will be getting a replacement DELL. Now Reflect says I can't transfer my image over to the new computer and install it, that I need to purchase the PRO verison. Is this true?

timlab1955 said:

Now Reflect says I can't transfer my image over to the new computer and install it, that I need to purchase the PRO verison. Is this true?

I'm confused.

Why do you want to "transfer my image" to a new Dell? The new Dell will include an operating system and a bunch of programs already installed. Any other system image you may have will be from some other computer with a different motherboard, chipset, Windows license, and set of programs.

I could understand this if you were simply getting a new hard drive for an existing PC, but you are getting an entirely new PC.

Or do you just mean you want to transfer your personal files, not the "system"?

Alright I think I know what you want now. To transfer from an existing computer to a totally new computer (albeit both Dell).
Dell like other computers provide an OEM OS which is locked to the specific PC.
In this situation I would do a clean transfer of applications to the new PC OS.
If the apps are licensed paid apps then what you need to do depends on the EULA. If you are licensed to multiple PCs fine - just reinstall. Otherwise deactivate the app, uninstall then reactivate on the new PC.

I was thinking maybe just installing the image to the new computer (SAME TYPE). Gosh does this mean I have to re-install COD4 all over again and beat it for the 10th time? What you guys bring to the table are my only options?

timlab1955 said:

Gosh does this mean I have to re-install COD4 all over again and beat it for the 10th time?

Someone else may help

I don't want you guys to think I don't listen to your comments because I do, but I was thinking this was the whole purpose behind this program. Am I wrong? So the PRO verison wouldn't be worth the money and just stay with the FREE verison?