Image vs Back up

cabinboy · 13 Sep 2015

When Windows backup and restore creates a backup I see there is a system image, a backup folder and a small .bin file.As I back up my personal stuff regularly I don't really need to create the backup folder, but I like to have a current system image for emergency, does the image file and the backup folder contain the same data and so I need only make a system image to save space on my external backup drive. Also can this system image be used to fully restore my pc to a working condition after a disaster or are some files etc from the backup folder needed too, I also back up with Macrium free as an extra option.

ICIT2LOL · 13 Sep 2015

Hello cabin boy mate I image on a regular basis with Macrium and that to me is more than good enough. The images as they build up can be trimmed back to save space on whatever drive you save them to.
See this Imaging with free Macrium and yes you can restore the image back if I am not mistaken it is the tutorial for doing that System Image Recovery

cabinboy · 13 Sep 2015

Thanks for the tip, on the same subject, I have 2 pc's both have Macrium Reflect free that I use to back up, when it says create a rescue boot disk do I need to make one for each pc or is the data on the disk the same for all pc's. ATM I have a boot disk for my main pc but was not sure that if I ever needed to boot up my other pc that this one would work or is the disk pc specific when its created.

ICIT2LOL · 13 Sep 2015

Ok mate that's good and well I would make a separate disk for each machine as I suppose they do have separate licenses?? Anyway I think I am pretty certain that what one should do - I stand to be corrected though.

Moreover I don't think for the cost of a CD and the time taken doing it -one can never have too much backup especially if one ahs been down the track where you haven't got one and are well and truly stuck

cabinboy · 13 Sep 2015

Thanks, I am a bit anal about backing up and taking measures against pc deaths even though I have never had to resort to such action, but I know tomorrow could be that first time,,, thanks again for the help

ICIT2LOL · 14 Sep 2015

Yep well I am even more anal as you say it and because I do and can - clone the original and set up drive especially when I am trying things like that 10 upgrade - using the clone.

Like this old laptop of mine I didn't have much luck with it upgrading and the original drive was swapped back in and I was off and running again:)

I know many have told me that cloning is unnecessary and I can always restore from an image and while I think it is ok it is a real fiddle - opposed to a clone. Having said that I still image weekly

DavidE · 14 Sep 2015

cabinboy said:

I have 2 pc's both have Macrium Reflect free that I use to back up, when it says create a rescue boot disk do I need to make one for each pc or is the data on the disk the same for all pc's. ATM I have a boot disk for my main pc but was not sure that if I ever needed to boot up my other pc that this one would work or is the disk pc specific when its created.

Try booting your other PC with the rescue disc you have now.
See if it will boot up and you can find the images you might want to restore.
You can test this much without doing a restore, you can cancel and exit before doing a restore.

I have 2 multi-boot (7, 8.1, 10) PC's.
I can boot either PC and restore any OS with a single rescue disc.
My PC's are similar architecture, so drivers are the same and not an issue for me.
If your PC's are very different, drivers might be an issue trying to use the same rescue disc.
If you have driver problems, i expect the rescue disc won't boot your other PC.

I have hundreds of optical discs

, so the fewer i create going forward is better for me.

I'm using Macrium free V6.

ICIT2LOL · 14 Sep 2015

If your PC's are very different, drivers might be an issue trying to use the same rescue disc.

Good point David and sort of goes half way to what I aid about doing a dedicated disk for each machine. As I think I mentioned the cost of and doing it is very minimal eh?

Lady Fitzgerald · 14 Sep 2015

ICIT2LOL said:

If your PC's are very different, drivers might be an issue trying to use the same rescue disc.

Good point David and sort of goes half way to what I aid about doing a dedicated disk for each machine. As I think I mentioned the cost of and doing it is very minimal eh?

Drivers only become and issue when restoring an image to dissimilar hardware, such as after replacing a MOBO. Otherwise, as long as the image was created from the machine you are restoring to, there should be no problems if you use a rescue disk or USB made on another machine.

DavidE · 15 Sep 2015

I thought some rescue discs might not work on all PC's depending on the PE version and drivers installed in the rescue media.
I thought the PE version and drivers installed in the rescue media are only used to boot a PC, and not used for restoring an image.

Doesn't the backup image being restored contain all the needed drivers for the OS/PC being restored ?
I'm assuming restoring to the same hardware, not restoring to any "hardware changes".

I certainly could be wrong in my understanding