Win 7 backup strategy

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  1. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Win 7 backup strategy


    Some help for a newbie please...

    Is there any downside to consider when pre partitioning your HDD to prevent the formation of the 200MB system partition?

    I was considering doing this on a new pc build so that my backup strategy would only need the C: drive image to restore to a new HDD in one hit (worst case scenario!) ie not having to restore the system partition also.

    I was thinking of partitioning my HDD to C: (Win7 and progs) and D: (data), and using DriveImageXML to image the C: drive. I prefer DriveImage as it allows the choice of backup location on the external USB drive - handy when you back up more than 1 pc.

    My D: drive would be separately backed up using Microsoft Backup.

    Does this strategy have any holes in it? Would be good to know your thoughts before I set off.

    Thanks
    Last edited by keithr; 09 Aug 2011 at 08:54. Reason: typo
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  2.    #2

    Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD
    to create the Partitions.

    If this is an imaging program you've relied on in the past with good results then fine, but the ones recommended here are Win7 backup imaging, free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11 Backup, or even better if you have WD or Seagate HD's in the mix use the their free Acronis premium cloning/imaging programs.
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  3. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #3

    I would support gregrockers choices over windows backup. I don't know the one you mention but I have had success with Macrium and you can place your backups anywhere with that. The only caveat I would add is to make sure that the recovery CD can access your external drives.
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  4. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #4

    I would recommend Windows 7 imaging.
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    I personally always use Norton Ghost v15 aswell, as I image twice.
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  5. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    ok thanks folks for prompt replies. Will take a look at Macrium for imaging. So I take it that putting the 200MB system partition effectively in the root of C: should have no adverse effect for a basic user like myself.

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

    Here are a couple of tutorials that may help:

    Imaging with free Macrium

    Imaging strategies
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  7. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks for the helpful links WHS
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  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8

    No problem, any time. If you have Q's, post them here.
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  9. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Havent got my new PC bits yet, but made a start with the progs recommended. Have got a Partition Wizard boot CD produced, and Macrium Reflect installed on my XP machine.

    First snag is that having built a BartPE boot CD with Macruium on it, I tried it out on said XP machine and Macrium loads up ok, but when I tried out the WinPE explorer function, it does not show my HDD. All I can see is RAMDISK(B):, Floppy, and my CD drives (one with the rescue disk in it).

    Got a feeling something not quite right here!

    ps just tried to boot my Win7 64 bit laptop with it, and it wont boot. Says a problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down.....
    Last edited by keithr; 16 Aug 2011 at 12:58. Reason: Added laptop info
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  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #10

    1. In lieu of the BartPE CD try the Linux CD. That always worked for me.
    2. No idea regarding the boot problem. Would need more info.
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