Windows 7 / Creating a system image: formatting all partitions!!

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  1. Posts : 8
    windows 7 ultimate x32
       #1

    Windows 7 / Creating a system image: formatting all partitions!!


    Dear,

    I have 3 identical PCs with 2 partitions: C and D.
    I created a system image for one PC, C only.
    But when I restore that system image into the other 2 PCs (using Wind7 DVD), it formats both C and D and restore.

    The problem is that I have data on D and I don't want it to be formatted. I only want to restore the C image.

    Please advise.

    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    Hello jsmlb and welcome to Seven Forums.

    I'm not an expert at anything. So maybe some other Forum experts will jump in with their opinions. But I think I see a problem with what you're trying to do.

    You say you have 3 identical computers. I don't think they are identical. They each have a motherboard with a unique serial number. The hard drives have unique serial numbers. So do the RAM modules. The C: partition most likely contains the operating system and it is tied to the first computer you installed it in through those unique serial numbers of the motherboard, etc. I don't think it would be that easy to copy a C: partition from one computer and be able to install it on another computer because of the possibility of piracy issues.

    I also think there's another consideration as to where on the hard drive the copied C: partition would start and end. For example, when I use Macrium to make an image of my C: partition, it shows me a starting sector and an ending sector on the hard drive. Just as an example, perhaps my Reserved Partition starts at Sector 100 and ends at Sector 2500 (these are not the actual sector numbers.) My C: partition would start at Sector 2501 and end at Sector 346,213. My D: partition would start at Sector 346,214 and end at whatever. The point being, if I'm reinstalling just my C: partition, it would HAVE to "fit" exactly and not overlap onto any other sectors. Do all 3 of your "identical" computers have the exact same starting and ending C: partition sectors?

    As I said, I'm not an expert so perhaps I'm completely mistaken on how system imaging actually works. For my benefit, as well as yours, I hope someone with more experience can give a better explanation.
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    If you use Windows imaging, you may have those effects. If Windows thinks that there is stuff on D that must be imaged with C, it will image D also and restore it accordingly.

    With Windows imaging you have absolutely no control of what it is doing. And it has a lot of other weaknesses too. So it is a pretty useless facility.

    I suggest you image your C with free Macrium. Then you can control what you are doing. Imaging with free Macrium
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 43
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #4

    Really sorry I know that this is sort of off topic a bit but i just joined this forum and i don't really know where to post things and what not but my friend told me that i had to format my hard drive because before hand i had just installed my new Windows 7 (64bit) over my old Windows 7 (32bit) and that it was giving me higher CPU usage, was she right ?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #5

    ComputerN00b said:
    Really sorry I know that this is sort of off topic a bit but i just joined this forum and i don't really know where to post things and what not but my friend told me that i had to format my hard drive because before hand i had just installed my new Windows 7 (64bit) over my old Windows 7 (32bit) and that it was giving me higher CPU usage, was she right ?
    I think you'll probably get a better response if you post this question in the section called "Installation & Setup". From what I understand it's not possible to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit (or downgrade from 64 to 32 bit.) It can only be done by a clean install and that should automatically take care of formatting the drive. Hard to say why your CPU usage is higher without knowing what's using the CPU either through Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or some other 3rd party program.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #6

    jsmlb said:
    Dear,

    I have 3 identical PCs with 2 partitions: C and D.
    I created a system image for one PC, C only.
    But when I restore that system image into the other 2 PCs (using Wind7 DVD), it formats both C and D and restore.

    The problem is that I have data on D and I don't want it to be formatted. I only want to restore the C image.

    Please advise.

    Thank you

    Are you very very very sure about:
    • Is starting sector of C the same on image and destination harddisk? (check source harddisk and destination harddisk)
    Code:
     
    C:\Windows\system32>diskpart
    Microsoft DiskPart-versie 6.1.7601
    Copyright (C) 1999-2008 Microsoft Corporation.
    Op computer: LAPTOPRON
    DISKPART> sel dis 0
    Schijf 0 is nu de geselecteerde schijf.
    DISKPART> list par
      Partitie  ###  Type              Grootte  Offset
      -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
      Partitie 1    Primair            113 GB    32 KB
      Partitie 0    Uitgebreid         352 GB   113 GB
      Partitie 2    Logisch            352 GB   113 GB
    DISKPART> list vol
      Volume ###  Ltr  Label        FS     Type        Grootte  Status     Info
      ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
      volume 0     Z                       DVD-ROM         0 B  Geen medi
      volume 1     S                       DVD-ROM         0 B  Geen medi
      volume 2     C   System       NTFS   partitie     113 GB  In orde    Systeem
      volume 3     D   Data         NTFS   partitie     352 GB  In orde
    DISKPART> sel vol 2
    Volume 2 is nu het geselecteerde volume.
    DISKPART> det vol
      Schfnr.   Status         Grootte  Vrij     Dyn  GPT
      --------  -------------  -------  -------  ---  ---
    * Schf 0    Online          465 GB  3072 KB
    Alleen-lezen               : Nee
    Verborgen                   : Nee
    Geen standaardstationsletter: Nee
    Schaduwkopie           : Nee
    Offline                     : Nee
    Versleuteld met BitLocker: Nee
    Installeerbaar            : Ja
    Volumecapaciteit       :  113 GB
    Vrije ruimte op volume :   77 GB
    DISKPART> sel par 1
    Partitie 1 is nu de geselecteerde partitie.
    DISKPART> det par
    Partitie 1
    Type     : 07
    Verborgen: Nee
    Actief   : Ja
    Offset in bytes: 32768
      Volume ###  Ltr  Label        FS     Type        Grootte  Status     Info
      ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
    * volume 2     C   System       NTFS   partitie     113 GB  In orde    Systeem
    DISKPART> list par
      Partitie  ###  Type              Grootte  Offset
      -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
    * Partitie 1    Primair            113 GB    32 KB
      Partitie 0    Uitgebreid         352 GB   113 GB
      Partitie 2    Logisch            352 GB   113 GB
    DISKPART>
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 43
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #7

    I think you'll probably get a better response if you post this question in the section called "Installation & Setup". From what I understand it's not possible to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit (or downgrade from 64 to 32 bit.) It can only be done by a clean install and that should automatically take care of formatting the drive. Hard to say why your CPU usage is higher without knowing what's using the CPU either through Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or some other 3rd party program.[/QUOTE]

    Well as my name states I don't really know much about computers I already reformatted and installed a new copy of windows but is it true that windows would be searching for something twice because of having an old windows still there even after I deleted it
    sorry if this doesn't make any sense
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #8

    do you see this?


    Source: System Image Recovery
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8
    windows 7 ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hello all,

    1- I was using Acronis True Image and it was doing the job with no complications but when I knew that Windows 7 back and restore can do the same, I tried it.

    2- I'll try what Kaktussoft advised; Untick Format and Repartitions disks and see the outcome.

    Thanx a lot,
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #10

    jsmlb said:
    Hello all,

    1- I was using Acronis True Image and it was doing the job with no complications but when I knew that Windows 7 back and restore can do the same, I tried it.

    2- I'll try what Kaktussoft advised; Untick Format and Repartitions disks and see the outcome.

    Thanx a lot,
    Untick Format and Repartitions disks =>I think it's greyed out, so impossible. Can you untick?
      My Computer


 
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