Backup and Restore Questions

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  1. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #11

    I would never rely on a single imaging program. I use Windows inbuilt and Macrium free. I have restored systems with both (Many times with Windows imaging, even to a new HDD). I used to have Paragon as well but felt that was going overboard. For the newcomer to imaging, I feel Paragon has too many options.

    Similarly never rely on a single independent internal or external HDD for your images.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #12

    I use Macrium Free and Acronis, alternating. I have never had to restore.

    But you have to understand this:

    Imaging is NOT foolproof.

    You hope it works. If it doesn't, the sun rises tomorrow and you go to plan B: reinstalling Windows from scratch.

    Images for home users are designed to save time. Usually they do, in which case the image making process was worthwhile.


    Sometimes imaging does not work. You have to acknowledge that and be prepared with plan B. Don't expect it to bail you out ALL the time. That's why you keep your installation discs at the ready.


    You would be a major fool to rely on images for your personal data backup. Windows can be replaced with disks and a few hours of your time. Your personal data might be irreplaceable--mine is.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #13

    The reason I "worry" so much is recent recovery efforts on Mom's XP systems but thats a different story for later.

    So to be clear :

    1. I will take an image of my system partition ( W7 64 bit ; 60GB in size with 50GB in use ) and place this on an external USB hard drive after creating the rescue disk.
    2. Power down the computer, reboot with the rescue disk, and select the image I just created.
    3. Select the partition I wish to restore
    4. Choose "Active" because it is system partition I wish to boot from
    5. Choose "Replace MBR" for the same reason
    6. Reboot the system --- It should reboot from the image I just restored -- correct ?
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #14

    Without a picture of your Disk Management I cannot really tell because I do not know whether you do or don't have the 100MB active boot partition.

    If you DO NOT have the 100MB partition, then your approach will work. For the reboot, the Recovery Wizard will tell you at the end what to do. At one time you have to click "Cancel", so don't be scared. That really means to cancel the Wizard. It should be followed by a little window saying:"Your system will now reboot". Just click: OK.

    BTW: Your C looks rather cramped at 60GBs. Maybe you should increase the size at one point in time.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Update with questions :

    Created the image on a USB hard drive, then rebooted using the Rescue disk and it did not find the USB hard drive where I stored the image. I suspect this Linux environment did not load the drivers for the drive.

    When I created the Rescue Disk I did no see any options to include current 64 bit drivers.

    What I am doing wrong ?
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #16

    Hmm, that puzzles me. I always found the drives where I stored the images - and I have both 32 and 64bit. Note that the Wizard does it's own disk naming. So the letter you are used to in Win7 is not neccessarily the same in the wizard. You can really only tell by the size of the disk. Then open it with the + sign in the box in front to find your restore point or the folder where you stored it. Suggest you try again.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #17

    Backup and Restore Questions-restore-image.jpg

    I have attached a picture of the screen I am looking at ---

    I recreated the Rescue Disk in compatibility mode to see if that will work but clearly the drivers are not being loaded for the USB drives or the wireless mouse I use.
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #18

    This is not good. I never had this problem. How is the disk to which you imaged attached - USB2, USB3, eSata or Internal? Mine are USB2 or Internal.
      My Computer


  9. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #19

    I'm running a 64 bit system and don't recall any special need to load drivers.
    In your screen shot why don't you seem to be able to expand "My Computer".
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #20

    The reason I can not expand "My Computer" is there are no devices found because there are no drivers.

    I created the Rescue disk in Compatibility mode and rebooted with it and could finally see the images ( and USB drives ).

    So I guess this will work ?
      My Computer


 
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