Novice question on Macrium/AOMEI

Hi goopy,

Yes, provided your HDD is installed as a 2nd drive in your computer, or you have the correct hardware to connect the HDD via USB port. If you have access to the HDD, i.e. it shows up under Computer, then you can create an image of that drive.

Both Macrium and AOMEI perform that function, however, if you create an image with one, you cannot access or restore it from the other. Both backup programs are recommended by SevenForums members. I prefer AOMEI primarily because it had a more user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI), thus easier to understand and navigate. You can always Google either and watch a video or two. Google is your friend!

If you have any additional questions, there are no bad questions, question away!

Nic

1. Do you mean the w10 would not be able to "restore" a dis image of itself created by a w7 system to another HDD drive?

It means that if you make an image with Aomei- that aomei image cannot be restored by macrium.
If you make an image with macrium, that macrium image cannot be restored by Aomei.

2. A related question: is there an issue with an image not recognised by new version of the software that created it? Running on different OS?

There isn't an issue with either of those two working with their earlier images. Rarely a company will change their imaging format - paragon did so recently.

3. Is there a way to instruct the software to issue new disk signature during image creation/restore operation? What's the best way to deal with Disk ID conflict?

Most software deal with that automatically. There are a few programs that give you choice. I think Casper and O&O have options in that regard.

Appears I need to be a little more detailed in posts.

SIW2, adding to your excellent advice, I'm finding out that presently creating DVD and USB boots that match the latest downloaded and installed backup/restore program upgrades seem to make any future restores smoother and less problematic regarding two backup/restore programs I use: Macrium Reflect and Image for Windows. When I do restores in the future, I'll see if IfW310 will restore an image made by IfW 320, and report back.

As far as I know, neither of those two programs give the user control of that.

There might be other programs that do.