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

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

When you install a program, a system restore point is automatically created (if you enabled system restore). You can always fall back to that - if it does not mysteriously disappear.

I would just make an image twice per week or so.

That is the problem with system restore; I've found it to be unreliable, ranging from disappearing restore points to flat just not working.

 

[whs]

LF, I had the same problem. Images are safer in any case.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

LF, I had the same problem. Images are safer in any case.

......................................................

 

[kado897]

I think everyone has problems with RPs. I have only ever used one successfully but I still live in hope.

 

[Britton30]

I agree fellow geeks and geekettes, since I discovered imaging I won't be using RPs I don't think. I had used cloned drives before though.

 

[LittleJay]

Since I starting imaging my system on a regular basis a few years ago, I stopped using system restore, so when I bought my first SSD for my Windows installation I decided to turn it off to save disk space.

 

[mjf]

Since I starting imaging my system on a regular basis a few years ago, I stopped using system restore, so when I bought my first SSD for my Windows installation I decided to turn it off to save disk space.

Me too.

 

[Jim1cor13]

Hi whs

Thank you so much again for your latest Macrium ISO 5.15603 I was able to download the latest version the other night and it works great. I was using 5.04995 previously and it also was excellent. I use EasyBCD and boot the ISO directly from my flash drive which loads much faster than a boot cd/dvd.

I noticed skydrive is down today, at least for me here in the U.S. Even login does not work, so I am grateful I was able to get the latest ISO the other day and I wanted to say thank you for all your efforts. They are very much appreciated!

Jim

 

[whs]

Hi whs

Thank you so much again for your latest Macrium ISO 5.15603 I was able to download the latest version the other night and it works great. I was using 5.04995 previously and it also was excellent. I use EasyBCD and boot the ISO directly from my flash drive which loads much faster than a boot cd/dvd.

I noticed skydrive is down today, at least for me here in the U.S. Even login does not work, so I am grateful I was able to get the latest ISO the other day and I wanted to say thank you for all your efforts. They are very much appreciated!

Jim

Hi Jim, you are very welcome. I am glad it was helpful.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Zalman & Macrium

Hello:

I am having a problem that I hope someone here can help me with. I am using a new (for me) Zalman ZM-VE300 with a 750GB HDD inside. I have created two NTFS partitions on the HDD, one for the _iso folder and one for system backups. I have been trying to get Macrium Reflect Free iso, once it is booted, to recognize the second partition as a HDD but it insists that it is a CD drive. I built the iso from Macrium 5.1.5732; I don't know which version of WinPE but I am using Windows 7, SP1, Home Premium, 64-bit.

My question is this: Is this a problem with the Macrium software or is it a problem with WinPE?

When I use the device to boot a Ubuntu 12.10 iso, Ubuntu sees the second partition as a HDD, so I don't think it's the Zalman.

 

[whs]

I am not sure I understand what you are trying to do. Can you elaborate please.

 

[SIW2]

I have no idea what zalman is. I expect it is a winpe problem.

Perhaps you need drivers for that.

 

[SIW2]

I just looked it up. It is usb3.0 it seems. ?

Add usb 3.0 drivers to winpe.

 

[whs]

There is USB3 support in the latest free Macrium releases. I use USB3 and eSata disks all the time.

 

[SIW2]

Winpe3 does not support usb3 natively. Did you add the drivers ?

 

[Britton30]

I have no idea what zalman is. I expect it is a winpe problem.

Perhaps you need drivers for that.

::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: Driver I think too.

 

[whs]

Winpe3 does not support usb3 natively. Did you add the drivers ?

You are right (as usual). I just tried it with my level 5603 WinPE Macrium recovery disc. It did not recognize my USB3 disc. When I switched the port to USB2, it worked.

Since the Macrium release at that level does support USB3, I assumed the WinPE would do that too. But I guess one should never assume. Quod erat demonstrandum.

 

[SIW2]

I think the Macrium paid versions will try and find your installed drivers and try to add them to pe.

Paragon ( paid versions ) asks what drivers you want to add - and you can browse to them . Different approach - one of the reasons paragon is more to my liking.

With the free versions of both - you can add them yourself.

It is pretty easy.

 

[whs]

Yeah, switching the ports that are next to each other is even easier, LOL.

 

[Britton30]

How does one add the USB 3 drivers to the Macrium WinPE? I wasn't given an option when I made the disk but am asked if I want to load them when I ran it to restore an image.