WD My Passport Ultra Metal 1TB

[feetand nches]

Can someone advise me a little as to the best way to do this on my Main machine. I suppose I should practice on a different machine, but here it goes.

I wonder which choice is better for the "Create a Windows PE Rescue Environment" as seen in this tutorial, the 4.0 or the 3.1?
Create a Windows PE Rescue Environment
This is a Windows 8 machine with Windows 7 PRO Installed in Legacy Mode I believe, I didn't do anything special during the Install.

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[mjf]

I pick pe 5 because of its usb 3 support.
From the user guide pg 70


Nothing stopping you making a pe 3 as well if you like but you will need to load usb 3 drivers manually or insert them using the DISM command.

 

[feetand nches]

PE 5! HAHA, I didn't even see that. I looked at page 70 and didn't see this option, but will try to burn another with PE-5 if possible. I created the 3.1 and made a backup. Meant to leave this link above but it did not work. This is where I got the Directions to create the Recovery Media.
Create a Windows PE Rescue Environment

mjf, it looked to me that the drivers were Installed, am I incorrect? Maybe this is new since you did this that way, as it may or may not show at this link?
Rescue Media Wizard - WinPE drivers

 

[feetand nches]

Now I'm unsure what to do with the "Backup Definition File"? in this Window. I created a Folder for it in Documents Folder. Do I just choose the Little Folder Icon and direct it to my Backup Definition File Folder?

Okay, I just set Backup Definition File as a Desktop Shortcut!:

 

[mjf]

mjf, it looked to me that the drivers were Installed, am I incorrect? Maybe this is new since you did this that way, as it may or may not show at this link?

Puzzling. When you boot the rescue disc/usb can it see images on an external connected USB 3 HDD?
Here are the pe options I get. You need to select change pe versions.

Here is the link to the "complete user guide" see pg 70.
http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Macrium+Reflect+KnowledgeBase

 

[feetand nches]

There is nothing on pg70 about Windows PE?

I will check to see if I can see my new Image.

 

[mjf]

follow the link I gave and select complete user guide on the left


I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[feetand nches]

I pick pe 5 because of its usb 3 support.
From the user guide pg 70.

Again, I see nothing about pe5 on page 70, but it's all good as it seems all is working well.

Puzzling. When you boot the rescue disc/usb can it see images on an external connected USB 3 HDD?
Here are the pe options I get. You need to select change pe versions.

I just booted rescue disc and it saw the backup Image, so thanks very much pushing me to check it. I also just went and took a look at the "change pe versions" and saw the options you presented. This will be nice to know when I do my Windows 8 machine!

 

[feetand nches]

I wonder, and feel stupid asking, but I can use this drive to Image other computers also right? and files or folders as long as they are all created with Macrium?

Thanks again, Nasty7

 

[mjf]

Again, I see nothing about pe5 on page 70, but it's all good as it seems all is working well.

I gave you a screenshot of the page in question referring to pe 5. The Macrium documentation specifically states that this pe 5 is useful for supporting usb 3 on a Windows 7 system.

I might try the pe 3.1 rescue and see if it sees my usb 3 connected drives.

Sorry, I don't understand your last question.

 

[mjf]

ok I checked usb3 driver compatibility.
On one of my PCs with Intel usb3 drivers the pe3.1 appears ok (Haswell). On my main PC with Renesas usb3 driver pe3.1 is a no go. pe5 is fine on both PCs. - that is it deals with both Intel and Renesas. Also my main PC (see specs) uses an Intel 2700k (Sandy Bridge) which may be a factor.

My conclusion is that a pe5 rescue disc appears the most backward compatible for usb3 driver support - maybe?

 

[feetand nches]

mjf, Thank you for all the research! This is the first day I've had Internet since the Hurricane hit Florida, I don't think it is going to last so I'll pick up on this asap. They said our tv. service will be out until the 17th, four days from now, but the internet works! lol...so weird. Television has been on since Monday night but no Internet, then Television is out until the 17th and Internet works LOL.

Again, the research you did is very valuable and well appreciated, hopefully I can get all this stuff learned soon.

The question I was asking before was: Can I use my new WD Drive to backup more than One computer? And, can I use it with Macrium only, or can I also use AOMEI to back up another computer, or even the Windows inbuilt Software? I understand I will need the rescue disk for each, but in general is this possible?

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[mjf]

The question I was asking before was: Can I use my new WD Drive to backup more than One computer? And, can I use it with Macrium only, or can I also use AOMEI to back up another computer, or even the Windows inbuilt Software? I understand I will need the rescue disk for each, but in general is this possible?

Thanks, Nasty7

Yes you can backup more than one computer on an ext HDD. Just create folders that describe the computer so you don't get confused.

I'm not familiar with AOMEI but I suspect again PC/folder descriptions should allow you to store these images along with Macrium in another folder.

Windows inbuilt is quite restrictive. It only recognizes the image folder [WindowsImageBackup] in the root of a HDD partition. If you want to store more then you need to do the folder rename workaround (see forum tutorials). It is a bit of a pain IMO.

You do need to create a rescue disc for each of your imaging software programs. (ie. one for all Macrium images one for all AOMEI images etc.). The simplest solution is to create rescue DVDs/USBs for each software program and check that they boot and recognize images stored on the ext HDD. Later on you can explore putting multiple rescue ISOs plus other useful tools on a single USB flash drive. That's another topic.

 

[feetand nches]

mjf, Thanks! I just noticed I had not replied.

I have another question: Can I install AOMEI along side of Macrium Reflect?

I have not found the option in Macrium to Backup only System Files, so want to also use AOMEI on my main pc. Not sure how or if this will be better or not, but it seems to me that Imaging just the system files will take less time and less space. I don't keep to much on my OS, and looking to -SOMEDAY- LOL, partition, and keep all files on another partition. AOMEI also has a super simple Interface, I like that also, seems like it will keep me from making any mistakes. Seems like they both do about the same thing, though Macrium does a little more, or has a little more freedom/adjustability.

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[RolandJS]

Yes, you can install any number of backup / restore / clone programs alongside each other; just make you know which program produces which image (file extension). Backing up only system files can be done, I hope you back up all of the OS from time to time. Restoring only system files and not the whole OS could be problematic. Or, are you meaning: system files backup is the whole Windows OS backup?

 

[feetand nches]

Or, are you meaning: system files backup is the whole Windows OS backup?

Yes Roland, the whole Windows OS Backup, at least that is what Aomei calls it. Seems simple enough, and I've used it on other less important pc's of mine.

Thanks for your help Roland, because I am not very strong in this area yet...and maybe never LOL.

 

[Layback Bear]

A suggestion.

Name your partition so you will know what is what no matter what method or program you use.

Example:



Jack

 

[feetand nches]

Would you guys help me out again. I'm doing well with simple backups. I think I may have asked this somewhere but went through this whole Thread and did not see it.

My question: Can I Sync a Folder (or in this case the contents of a USB) to the Same Drive I'm using to Backup System Images?

I've looked at the Macrium Backup and the AOMEI File Backup. But if possible, I would like to use the same Drive to Sync the Files and folders on my work USB to. I'm not sure if Macrium or AOMEI would be good for this? I see that they both do this, but the one I'm using now does nice Incremental Backups, and all is available to access. I sync them to a few other USB's.
Backing up files and folders - KnowledgeBase - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase
Files and Folders Backup with Free AOMEI Backupper Software
I've been using Grsync on Linux to do this and it works flawlessly, but don't know if I dare use my WD Passport with all my pc Images on it do do this. I was thinking it would be safest to use one of the programs using now, Macrium or AOMEI, but have seen some good looking Syncing Programs for Windows that I was wanting to try.

I also have another drive I could use for this purpose, but it is 500GB and would never use all that for my Important USB's. Most of my stuff is files, so it don't take up to much space. One was about 128GB of data on a USB, but this one included customer files also. My personal USB with all my techie and personal data is only about 20GB if that.

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[RolandJS]

"....My question: Can I Sync a Folder (or in this case the contents of a USB) to the Same Drive I'm using to Backup System Images?" I believe you can! The sync material would simply be another folder (or file) on the HD containing backup image files.

 

[feetand nches]

That's what I thought also Roland, but want to be sure, I'm not to good at fixing major problems I may cause myself.