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

 

[jolafson]

Thanks!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Thanks Wolfgang I have watched this a few times now and at last the penny has dropped! I do like the feature of the regular backup I wished I had this set up before the main machine crashed it would have saved me a lot of mucking around

 

[whs]

John, it's never too late to learn something new -

 

[Britton30]

Thanks Wolfgang I have watched this a few times now and at last the penny has dropped! I do like the feature of the regular backup I wished I had this set up before the main machine crashed it would have saved me a lot of mucking around

Does that mean you understand and got Macrium working for you?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep too right Wolfgang and Gary yep mate just about got it nailed

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Wolfgang sorry mate but that Windows program you mentioned is it WIC? if so I cannot get it to download and install.

PS is ti also the enu.exe one?

 

[whs]

Wolfgang sorry mate but that Windows program you mentioned is it WIC? if so I cannot get it to download and install.

PS is ti also the enu.exe one?

Remind me - what program are we talking about. And what is WIC ??

 

[derekimo]

Wolfgang sorry mate but that Windows program you mentioned is it WIC? if so I cannot get it to download and install.

PS is ti also the enu.exe one?

Remind me - what program are we talking about. And what is WIC ??

Just a guess on my part, WIC is close to WAIK...

I notice in your blue tip box Wolfgang you mention the WAIK but call it Windows Application Install Kit, instead of Automated.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Wolfgang sorry mate but that Windows program you mentioned is it WIC? if so I cannot get it to download and install.

PS is ti also the enu.exe one?

Remind me - what program are we talking about. And what is WIC ??

Sorry Wolfgang perhaps it is just me but I could quite catch what you said about that WAIK it sounded like wick. I Googled WIC and got this Download Windows Imaging Component from Official Microsoft Download Centre That would not install so hence why I asked the question again I am really sorry if what I have said causes any offence I just could make out the word

The rest of the tutorial I have no problems with in fact it all falls into place. It was the recovery disk part that had me flummoxed.

 

[whs]

I notice in your blue tip box Wolfgang you mention the WAIK but call it Windows Application Install Kit, instead of Automated.

Right, it is 'automated' not 'application'.

 

[whs]

Wolfgang sorry mate but that Windows program you mentioned is it WIC? if so I cannot get it to download and install.

PS is ti also the enu.exe one?

Remind me - what program are we talking about. And what is WIC ??

Sorry Wolfgang perhaps it is just me but I could quite catch what you said about that WAIK it sounded like wick. I Googled WIC and got this Download Windows Imaging Component from Official Microsoft Download Centre That would not install so hence why I asked the question again I am really sorry if what I have said causes any offence I just could make out the word

The rest of the tutorial I have no problems with in fact it all falls into place. It was the recovery disk part that had me flummoxed.

No problem. If I said 'WIC' it must have been a typo. The problem with the WAIK is that it takes at least 2 hour to download (1.7GBs). That's why I posted the ready made .iso on my Skydrive so that people could shorten the process.

 

[Britton30]

John you only need WAIK id you are going to create a rescue disk (WinPE) yourself. If you download the iso as Wolfgang suggests you do not need it. https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=475a0a48ca6d4035&id=475A0A48CA6D4035%211812
Colin has a tutorial on making a boot able flash.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I have got it now Wolfgang and Gary it is just that I did not hear correctly when I listened to the video

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Wolfgang I have selected the rescue for the Windows ISO and gone through the instructions and insert a disk (DVD) and it goes for two seconds and then ejects it with this message. If I am doing something wrong can you please advise. I have tried 6 different empty disks soi don't think it is the media.
John

PS Meant to mention the image went fine

 

[Britton30]

Are you using the correct opto drive John? What are the settings under the error message?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Are you using the correct opto drive John? What are the settings under the error message?

Yep Gary I only have the one opto drive (Blu ray) installed??

 

[Golden]

Is the disc blank/formatted? Try the USB option too.

 

[Britton30]

All I can think of is one of the drive's cables is loose, maybe?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

To answer both replies the disks are blanks I use for recording ISO's and TV docos and no the thing is working as I regularly use it to record / burn music CD's

 

[kado897]

If you are using the preprepared ISO supplied by Wolfgang you just need to burn it to DVD with something like Imgburn.The Official ImgBurn Website