Imaging with free Macrium

   Information

This tutorial shows imaging with free Macrium Version 5.0. If you are still using Macrium Version 4.2, go to this Vimeo site where the tutorial of that version is stored.

The Video does not show the recovery part because I have no setup to screen capture it. But Keith (Kado) made this excellent recovery tutorial with text (but no sound) that he captured from a virtual partition.

   Warning

Note that the external disk to which you image must be formatted in NTFS. A disk that is formatted in Fat32 will accept an image, but the recovery programs cannot restore that image. You can, however, mount (open) a Fat32 image as VHD.

   Note

The production of the WinPE recovery CD (which is highly recommended) may take up to 3 hours because Macrium needs to download the 1.7GB WAIK (Windows Application Installation Kit). For your convenience I have uploaded a ready made .iso of the WinPE recovery disc. That can be downloaded in appr. 8 minutes which clearly beats the WAIK download. Once you downloaded and unzipped the folder, you can burn it directly to a CD with e.g. ImgBurn.

Here is the link to my Skydrive site.

Here is an alternate link from FileSwap (courtesy of Gary - Britton30)

I draw your attention to the fact that this WinPE CD can also be used to make images. That may be convenient in case you do not want to install Macrium on your PC.

This video tutorial explains the full cycle of the imaging process which is:

· Initial setups
· Image definition
· Image scheduling
· Image production

The imaging program that was used for this tutorial is free Macrium. But the basic principles are the same for other imaging programs although the user interface will be different.

This video runs for appr. 7 minutes.
There is a related thread on the Vista forum which gives a brief introduction to Macrium followed by a discussion.
You can download the free Macrium edition from here.

Note: If you have a problem with the loudness of the sound output of the video, check the "Loudness Equalization" box in your Playback device. It is under the 'Enhancements' tab.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7
• How to Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore your System with a Broken Windows 7 System Image
• How to Create a Bootable Rescue USB Flash Drive for Macrium Reflect

 

[mistachy]

No offence - but are you sure it is a good idea to have a raid setup if you are new to this kind of thing?

If something goes wrong - which it will at some point - you have added some extra complexity.

I suppose as you have done it already - better to just leave it.

I love raid... been using it since 2003 and wont stop until I find a better solution to creating huge partitions or volumes. I have several redundant back ups. I've always considered using imaging to restore my computer as opposed to using redundant back ups, but it was too complicated or I was too lazy to figure it out. I think I'll try to figure it out now. If my system cant be restored, I have my back ups.

 

[Phone Man]

I am not sure with the free version .

I always make my own winpe media.

Maybe whs will tell you how.

If the free version does it - it will be pretty easy - there is probably something called create recovery media - select winpe - and off it goes.

I don't know if automatically hunts for drivers you have installed, or if you have to point at them .
It will tell you.

Ive done that and it warns me this:

I just need to know how to properly do this from using reflect.

I made one about a year ago and it made a log file and will show what it sees when searching for drivers. In my case I had a new MB with ASmedia USB 3 and it failed to find those drivers. It found the USB 2 drivers and I made a bootable USB and it works fine on a USB 2 port.The log showed each step it did and what drivers it found and which one it didn't. Just let it make the disk and then look in the log.

Jim

 

[mistachy]

I am not sure with the free version .

I always make my own winpe media.

Maybe whs will tell you how.

If the free version does it - it will be pretty easy - there is probably something called create recovery media - select winpe - and off it goes.

I don't know if automatically hunts for drivers you have installed, or if you have to point at them .
It will tell you.

Ive done that and it warns me this:

I just need to know how to properly do this from using reflect.

I made one about a year ago and it made a log file and will show what it sees when searching for drivers. In my case I had a new MB with ASmedia USB 3 and it failed to find those drivers. It found the USB 2 drivers and I made a bootable USB and it works fine on a USB 2 port.The log showed each step it did and what drivers it found and which one it didn't. Just let it make the disk and then look in the log.

Jim

Where do i find the log?

 

[Phone Man]

The log is media_drivers.log and is in C:/Program Data/Macrium/Reflect. This is what mine showed for the USB ports.

[ScanInfFile]
PE architecture is: AMD64
INF file contains no matching devices: C:\boot\macrium\Drivers\USB\VEN_1B21_DEV_1042\asmtxhci.inf
Clearing device file copy list
[ScanInfFile]
Checking for matches for device: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller (VEN_1002) (DEV_4396)
Source INF file: C:\boot\macrium\Drivers\USB\VEN_1B21_DEV_1042\asmtxhci.inf

From what it shows, Macrium has its own data base of .inf drivers and then compares it to the hardware id it finds on your system. After that it is tries to check your OS for any missing drives not in its database. My log is from ver 4568 and run in March 2012. When It boots it brings up a window showing any missing drivers.

Jim

 

[mistachy]

The log is media_drivers.log and is in C:/Program Data/Macrium/Reflect. This is what mine showed for the USB ports.

[ScanInfFile]
PE architecture is: AMD64
INF file contains no matching devices: C:\boot\macrium\Drivers\USB\VEN_1B21_DEV_1042\asmtxhci.inf
Clearing device file copy list
[ScanInfFile]
Checking for matches for device: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller (VEN_1002) (DEV_4396)
Source INF file: C:\boot\macrium\Drivers\USB\VEN_1B21_DEV_1042\asmtxhci.inf

From what it shows, Macrium has its own data base of .inf drivers and then compares it to the hardware id it finds on your system. After that it is tries to check your OS for any missing drives not in its database. My log is from ver 4568 and run in March 2012. When It boots it brings up a window showing any missing drivers.

Jim

i will boot from the CD and see what i find

 

[salluhassan]

i am going to make image of hp recovery partition but what is winPE and linux boot criteria , and what is RAID . will i be able to make a rescue bootable disk . and in my mind i think that if i make image of hp recovery partition then if i format the whole hard disk then if i restore the image , i will be able to install the windows by pressing f11 and using recovery manager . am i right ?

 

[Britton30]

i am going to make image of hp recovery partition but what is winPE and linux boot criteria , and what is RAID . will i be able to make a rescue bootable disk . and in my mind i think that if i make image of hp recovery partition then if i format the whole hard disk then if i restore the image , i will be able to install the windows by pressing f11 and using recovery manager . am i right ?

Why not image your whole disk?
RAID is Redundant Array of Independent Disks where multiple disks, hard drive, act together as one for speed, or can setup to be a backup of each other.
You will need WinPE on bootable media such as a USB flash stick or a CD. You boot it and point it to your stored image to restore it. The image must be stored on a separate drive/flash stick/DVDs. An external HDD works best.
If you restore from the HP recovery partition you will have all of its bloatware crap back.

My choice would be to do a clean install then make an image of the whole system after you have all your software and settings as you like it.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[kado897]

Britton is correct. You should image the whole disk with Windows on it. If you take your route you will lose any programs you have installed and any data you have created. The recovery partition should only be used if you need to return your installation to exactly the state it was when you bought it.

 

[whs]

if i make image of hp recovery partition then if i format the whole hard disk then if i restore the image , i will be able to install the windows by pressing f11 and using recovery manager . am i right ?

That does not work unless you also image the System Partition and restore that first (except on a Dell where the recovery partition is usually the System partition). But Gary and Keith gave you the better way of doing that.

 

[mistachy]

im still working on my raid issue. i dont know how to account for extra needed drivers

 

[mjf]

@Mistachy
Here is the procedure I used for USB3 drivers. In creating the macrium pe it didn't automatically search for these drivers.
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...via-usb-3-0-external-drive-2.html#post1835647

@Salluhasan
Image all partitions. You will normally only need to reimage your OS partition but you should have an image of your recovery partition if it gets damaged or your HDD fails and needs replacing. You can reimage the recovery partition and in the worst case scenario do a factory recovery. I'm not sure if the factory recovery DVDs you should have made will restore a recovery partition to a new HDD.
Note: If F11 doesn't allow you to boot the recovery partition then setting to be ACTIVE using a tool like free Partition Wizard should allow you to boot directly into it. (Worst case scenario).

 

[salluhassan]

thanks all guys, i am new to all this stuff . actually i also need to do clean install of OS, and hp probook 4530s does not come with preinstalled option to create recovery disks, but we can purchase disks from them .i cannot make whole image of whole disk , bcoz it will reach up to 200 GB , thats why i made the image of system reserved partition and recovery partition and hp tools, thats it .i saved it to my external hard disk of about 150 GB .

 

[whs]

thanks all guys, i am new to all this stuff . actually i also need to do clean install of OS, and hp probook 4530s does not come with preinstalled option to create recovery disks, but we can purchase disks from them .i cannot make whole image of whole disk , bcoz it will reach up to 200 GB , thats why i made the image of system reserved partition and recovery partition and hp tools, thats it .i saved it to my external hard disk of about 150 GB .

If you want to make a clean install, look at this. It shows you how to download a Windows 7 SP1, etc. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[Jim1cor13]

Hello to everyone

whs, I want to first thank you for being so kind and helpful as to create the Macrium winpe ISO file. It is so appreciated sir.

I do have a quesiton though: I noticed after downloading from your skydrive account, and creating my USB boot flash drive, that when I booted into the Macrium environment, it states the version as being 5.04995 64 bit. My laptop (Dell Inspiron E1705) I am using it on is x86 32 bit Windows 7 Pro. It appears to be working flawlessly, and I have both created and restored 2 images and all went excellent.

I assume even though I have 32 bit, so far there have been no issues using your 64 bit rescue disk. Should I be careful about using it on a 32 bit system?

So far as mentioned, it is working great, but I wanted to both thank you and ask if there is any issues in using this 64 bit disk on a 32 bit machine. it does not appear to be any issues with it, but I wanted to ask you.

Thank you sir.

Jim

 

[Britton30]

You should have no issues on a 32 bit system it work with both.
Welcome to Seven forums Jim1cor13

 

[Jim1cor13]

You should have no issues on a 32 bit system it work with both.
Welcome to Seven forums Jim1cor13

Oh thank you very much sir! It sure does a great job, thanks again to WHS for all his efforts.

Thank you for the welcome also. Have a peaceful day Britton

 

[mjf]

thanks all guys, i am new to all this stuff . actually i also need to do clean install of OS, and hp probook 4530s does not come with preinstalled option to create recovery disks, but we can purchase disks from them .i cannot make whole image of whole disk , bcoz it will reach up to 200 GB , thats why i made the image of system reserved partition and recovery partition and hp tools, thats it .i saved it to my external hard disk of about 150 GB .

That is definitely a good strategy.
Currently you are working off what is referred to as an OEM:SLP license which is given to the big OEMs and doesn't involve Microsoft directly.
If you do a clean install you move to an OEM:COA license which involves MS authentication.
With the images you should always be able to go back to the OEM:SLP if you have problems. The majority of non technical users would just stay with the OEM:SLP.

 

[whs]

I assume even though I have 32 bit, so far there have been no issues using your 64 bit rescue disk. Should I be careful about using it on a 32 bit system?

Your assumption is correct. All the 64bit means is that the mini-OS that drives the Macrium on the WinPE is a 64bit version. As long as your PC is 64bit capable (which practically all PC's are nowadays), then it will run.

And regarding the Macrium version question, there is nothing to worry about. I have imaged and recovered with all kinds of mixed Macrium versions and never had a problem. They seem to be all upward/downward compatible.

 

[salluhassan]

thanks all guys, i am new to all this stuff . actually i also need to do clean install of OS, and hp probook 4530s does not come with preinstalled option to create recovery disks, but we can purchase disks from them .i cannot make whole image of whole disk , bcoz it will reach up to 200 GB , thats why i made the image of system reserved partition and recovery partition and hp tools, thats it .i saved it to my external hard disk of about 150 GB .

If you want to make a clean install, look at this. It shows you how to download a Windows 7 SP1, etc. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

whs , so it was you who uploaded that iso of winPE , i was wondering who did that bcoz i download it from somwhere here . now i know . thanks and yeah i saved that link to email of mine . whenever i intend to restore images , i will download that win PE in to my usb drive . and i already did clean install a day ago. thanks

thanks all guys, i am new to all this stuff . actually i also need to do clean install of OS, and hp probook 4530s does not come with preinstalled option to create recovery disks, but we can purchase disks from them .i cannot make whole image of whole disk , bcoz it will reach up to 200 GB , thats why i made the image of system reserved partition and recovery partition and hp tools, thats it .i saved it to my external hard disk of about 150 GB .

That is definitely a good strategy.
Currently you are working off what is referred to as an OEM:SLP license which is given to the big OEMs and doesn't involve Microsoft directly.
If you do a clean install you move to an OEM:COA license which involves MS authentication.
With the images you should always be able to go back to the OEM:SLP if you have problems. The majority of non technical users would just stay with the OEM:SLP.

yeah i will definetly need your help if i intended to restore that images which i stored in my external hard disk . because i donot so sure about it , that is it possible to go back to as same as it was before when factory installed . currently i donot wanna go back bcoz i have fully activated again windows 7 home prem by a clean reinstall of OS . but in case for the sake of information i would like to know how to go back to previous situation when my notebook was factory installed with a system reserved partiton, C: system drive, HP_recovery(D and a HP_tools(E . and i already backup system reserved partition and Hp_recovery partiton with macrium , but not C: system partiton and not hp_tools partiton .. but with acronis true image , i already got images of these three drive, system reserved partition, hp_recovery and hp_tools.

 

[mjf]

yeah i will definetly need your help if i intended to restore that images which i stored in my external hard disk . because i donot so sure about it , that is it possible to go back to as same as it was before when factory installed . currently i donot wanna go back bcoz i have fully activated again windows 7 home prem by a clean reinstall of OS . but in case for the sake of information i would like to know how to go back to previous situation when my notebook was factory installed with a system reserved partiton, C: system drive, HP_recovery(D and a HP_tools(E . and i already backup system reserved partition and Hp_recovery partiton with macrium , but not C: system partiton and not hp_tools partiton .. but with acronis true image , i already got images of these three drive, system reserved partition, hp_recovery and hp_tools.

Basically, you need an external HDD of sufficient size to store an image of your OS partition. You really need at least a 500GB external HDD.
If you do an image restore of your Recovery, system reserved and Tools partition you should be able to put your PC back in the state it was when you bought it.

This Forum unlike many others has a very extensive Tutorial section. I suggest you do some reading. If you need help in accessing the tutorials then get back to us and we will guide you.