Macrium Reflect Free ...I'm in :-)

Bom dia Paulo - please see some comments below.

paulobao said:

If anyone could answer these questions I would appreciate:

a- I imaged to a folder that I created (named "MacriumReflect Images) in my external hdd. Is this ok, since with windows backup I need to image directly to the root directory of the hdd ?

Yes, its perfectly OK to use that folder structure.

paulobao said:

b- Instead of a DVD could I create a USB flash rescue bootable media?

Yes, you can do that. Here is a tutorial that shows how to use the Linux rescue disk from USB, but if you use WinPE its exactly the same. Tip: for the rescue ISO, make sure there are no spaces in the name, or the USB will not boot.
MACRIUM REFLECT - Create Bootable Rescue USB Drive

paulobao said:

c- Was everything in my laptop imaged?

Everything on the SSD was imaged.

paulobao said:

d- In a worst scenario case (almost) like I cannot boot from windows, neither in safe mode, how can I restore my laptop to a previous imaged state?

Boot from the rescue iso from the USB, then browse to the image and restore it. See this:
Imaging with free Macrium

paulobao said:

e- I saw (via autoruns) that a service was created "ReflectService.exe" ! Is this necessary for...? What will happen if I disabled it?

The service is neccessary to run Macrium.

paulobao said:

f- May I backup my images? I mean, may I copy/paste the image for another external hdd just in case?

Absolutely, yes - you back them up like any other file. No worries with that.

Allow me to make one more point. Test the rescue CD, now, make sure it works. You will not have to use the image. You want to be sure the CD works during the time of a crisis. I make a new image every time I download new software, updates or make any other changes. In addition, I make an image twice a month.
Macrium has saved me twice.

Excellent addition, thanks Rich.

And you are welcome.

reflectservice.exe = Macrium Reflect Image Mounting Service
To mount the image and give it a drive letter as it was a real drive.

Turn off the computer
Put the CD in the computer
Boot the computer
It should boot from the CD
After boot you should not be in Windows, you should see the available, images. You can stop at this point do not choose an image or you will actually install the image.
If any of the above does work as described, post and we will help.
BTW, now, set the computer to boot from a CD and leave the setting, in case of future problems.
Follow this tutorial, the same as Seven
Boot Priority - Change - Vista Forums

paulobao said:

Golden, thanks for the quick answers and the portuguese words too .
Thanks richc46 for the aditional tip :).

About your tip "Test the rescue CD, now, make sure it works"...(sorry I'm a newbie) how can I do that? Any sugestion? This CD only works to my computer right? I've finished to install Macrium in my desktop at work too!

Cheers,
paulo

That is very simple.

1. Create a small 2GB partition
2. Copy some data into that partition (any folders)
3. Image that partition
4. Delete some data from that partition
5. Restore that partition with the Macrium WinPE CD and check whether the data you had deleted is back.

The advantage of that approach is that it is very fast and you need not take any risks with your system partitions. Just watch out that you do not have more than 3 primary partitions on your disk before you attempt to create that 2GB partition.