"WindowsImageBackup": can it be inside a folder?

paulobao · 01 Oct 2012

Hi again,

For the restore process, will Windows find the image "WindowsImageBackup" even if it is located in a folder?
Ex: I create an image of my entire system "WindowsImageBackup" in an external hdd (say D:) and then I move it to a folder (say "2012-10-01") at D:.
In this scenario should I expect that in a restore, the "WindowsImageBackup" image will be discovered or not? (can I go the folder in D: that I want to do the restore or can I just go to D:)

Thanks,
paulo

Brink · 01 Oct 2012

Hello Paulo,

Sorry, but no. The WindowsImageBackup folder must be in the root directory of the drive.

I would also recommend to not move this folder to another location. Doing so can risk it not being able to be used to do a System Image Recovery with.

If you are wanting to keep multiple different images, then I find that renaming the WindowsImageBackup folder in it's original save to location like in the blue "Note" box at the top of the tutorial below works great.

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

paulobao · 01 Oct 2012

Oops...
Thanks for the info

I think I ruined all my 4 images so!
I did what you recommend in your tuto (WindowsImageBackup-copy-n) but then, after reading some posts, I created separate folders and move each WindowsImageBackup-copy-n to one of those folders! Then I renamed the WindowsImageBackup-copy-n to the original WindowsImageBackup.! My idea (I should have asked before doind that) was that if the restore could dig to a folder I had already the WindowsImageBackup renamed!
So, do you think that if I rename each of one again to WindowsImageBackup-copy-n and then move each one to the root directory they will be usable? Or are they realy ruined?

Thanks,
paulo

JDobbsy1987 · 01 Oct 2012

Brink will be able to tell you for certain i'm sure but i think that is fine, as long as you put the 'WindowsImageBackup' in the root when you come to do the restore it should be fine.

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

Brink · 01 Oct 2012

Yep, they should be, but you just have to rename whichever one you want to use for a System Image Recovery back to the default WindowsImageBackup first though.

I just find that when moving the WindowsImageBackup folder around like that introduces to many unknown variables into the mix. If not put back properly, it may not be usable. That's the main reason why I don't recommend it. The renaming option I posted above about is much easier to do IMO, but to each their own. :)

paulobao · 01 Oct 2012

Thanks Brink

It seems that some folks have no problems when move the WindowsImageBackup folder to another folder in the same disc/partition and then just before a restore, move the WindowsImageBackup folder again to the root directory of the drive!
My backup external hdd have just one partition (I just formated the disc and use it like that, only for the backups!).

What I really need to do is a restore, because with the backup procedure everyhing is ok!
How can I test a restore without messing with my system?

Tanks,
paulo

Brink · 01 Oct 2012

About the only safest way is to unplug all HDDs except a blank HDD to restore to as a test, and the HDD that contains the system image.

mjf · 01 Oct 2012

Brink said:

About the only safest way is to unplug all HDDs except a blank HDD to restore to as a test, and the HDD that contains the system image.

Absolutely. For me this was the only safe way I had confidence in system imaging. You can also play and learn safely. The price of HDDs has dropped again so if you have $50-$80 it is the way to go. Also you have a cold standby HDD.

paulobao · 01 Oct 2012

Well, I'm on a laptop! This means to disconect my internal ssd right?

paulo

Brink · 01 Oct 2012

Yep, to disconnect that one, and connect another internal 2.5" HDD/SDD to restore to.