Which backup & restore to use

mjf · 19 Jul 2014

The bottom line is:
(1) If you want a basic system imaging program then Windows inbuilt is fine for many users. Difficulties may arise if you start doing more advanced operations such as moving default location of user folders, pagefiles etc. Before you do this you should be skilled enough to know the consequences.
User Folders - Change Default Location

As far as integrity of data partitions on recovery is concerned this is covered in Step Two part (7) of this tutorial
System Image Recovery
You are warned before a full drive is formatted and typically this is only forced if you have changed the partition structure of the drive. Again, before you do this you should be skilled enough to know the consequences.
Windows imaging has met 90% of my requirements.

(2) This forum provides clear and detailed tutorials on creating and recovering windows (inbuilt) system images by a forum Administrator.
I don't recall any blanket statement recommending against its use. Also, no one forces you to use it.

bbrose2 · 21 Jul 2014

I want to thank ALL who have replied to my request for help and shared their knowledge & experience with me. It is greatly appreciated.

Now I feel like a slapped fanny as I did not realize I could not back up to my existing C drive & that all backups must be put on an external drive or DVD's, etc.. I will have to purchase another external drive as I feel that is the way to go. In all probability I will go with the free Aomei & Windows as that seems to give me the most flexibility at a reasonable price. Being a retired senior citizen I have to watch my expenses.

Any suggestions on what type of external drive (make & model) I should purchase? I am thinking of a 1TB drive as that is the same size as my C drive. Does it matter if it is a USB 2 or 3?

Also, should I start with Aomei or Windows first until I can get another external drive? I can wipe my existing 250 MB drive clean & start there.

SIW2 · 21 Jul 2014

Might be better to use aomei, the image it creates will be much smaller and easier to manage

Create the winpe rescue media as well.

Which backup & restore to use-2014-07-21_204009.jpg

dsperber · 21 Jul 2014

bbrose2 said:

Any suggestions on what type of external drive (make & model) I should purchase? I am thinking of a 1TB drive as that is the same size as my C drive. Does it matter if it is a USB 2 or 3?

If you have USB 3.0 capability in your PC, you should absolutely go with a USB 3.0 external drive. Virtually all newer drives are compatible with both USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0 (if you plug it into a USB 2.0 port). But you should be using USB 3.0, as it's 3-5 times faster than USB 2.0, both on the outbound backup side as well as on the inbound restore side if you need it.

I highly recommend this Verbatim 95780 2TB drive. It's priced right, I've installed at least a dozen of them over the past few years and they've been 100% reliable, and they come with "green software" that runs on the PC which spins-down the drive after 10 minutes of inactivity (and spins it back up when the drive is needed). I used to get them from B&H Photo, but they're no longer available from that source. Nevertheless, Amazon is perfectly fine as a source.

There's no reason to try and save a few bucks getting a smaller drive (e.g. 1TB) when the drive is priced like it is. You're going to be generating and retaining multiple generations of backups (probably auto-pruning the older ones eventually as your generate newer ones), but you'll always find a use for the extra space. Can't hurt.

mjf · 21 Jul 2014

USB 3 makes creating and restoring images much faster. Like the previous comment I wouldn't consider a new USB 2 only external nowadays. But you will need to ensure the restore boot pe either contains the USB 3 drivers for your PC or you know how to load them after you boot the restore DVD otherwise the ext HDD will not be recognized in a USB 3 port.

bbrose2 · 16 Oct 2014

I want to thank ALL who have replied to my request for help and shared their knowledge & experience with me. It is greatly appreciated.

My wife passed away suddenly 2 days after my last post to this thread. I have not had the time or honestly the desire to continue with my research. I think I have received enough info from you all to make my decision & I thank you again. I will now close this thread as requested.

bbrose2 (Bud Rose)

DavidE · 17 Oct 2014

My condolences and prayers to you Bud for your loss.

mjf · 17 Oct 2014

That's sad news. My condolences to you and your family Bud.

Which backup & restore to use

Thank you all

Thank you all once again