Macrium users: have you tried an image restore??

[ignatzatsonic]

Yesterday I had a near disaster trying to upgrade to Thunderbird 3.0 email. System restore was no help and I thought I would have to restore a Macrium Reflect image.

I started the process and chose my C partition as the destination for the restore.

I got an error message saying the C partition was locked. My choices at that point were:

1: Reboot and select the C partition from a special menu

2: Exit and reboot using my previously made Macrium rescue disc to bypass Windows.

I tried the first choice and no menu came up--the system booted into Windows normally.

My only remaining choice was to use the rescue disk.

I didn't do that and was able to resolve my problem in other ways.

Is this normal behavior for Macrium restore attempts--being locked out of the C drive when in Windows and then not having access to the referred to menu when rebooting???

If so, I am skeptical about using this product over the long term.

 

[beauparc]

Interesting that, because I downloaded Macrium last week and tried a system backup. It got most of the way through then crashed giving me some error message or other. Macrium then got backed up - straight into the bin

 

[mpcrsc562]

2 times i've use macrium:
-once to back up and restore an xp (home, 32bit) image to a larger capacity hard drive -- success.
-another time to back up and restore a vista (home premium, 64bit) image to a larger capacity hard drive -- failure
haven't used it since.
but, i've found that if you own a western digital hard drive and register it with western digital, you have access to a slimmed down version of acronis to help with drive to drive image migration. (haven't had to use it yet, so no comment on how good or not it is)

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yeah, I have that free WD version of Acronis and have made an image with it, just like I did with Macrium.

But I have not attempted an Acronis restore. For all I know, it will fail as well. I can live with them all failing, but I'd like to know if others have any Macrium issues similar to what I experienced. It may have worked if I used the rescue disk, but I didn't go that far.

 

[gregrocker]

Since Windows 7 Backup imaging hasn't failed me yet in a half dozen reimages for our computers here, I think I"ll stick with it.

Macrium looks impressive because I'd like to be able to select partitions and not be forced to image the whole HD. At least Win7 Imaging allows me to uncheck the primary partition where I store an image on each machine.

I also have Acronis which saved an XP install a few times. But I prefer the built-in Win7 imaging until it lets me down. The only hitch so far was a bad block on my external, but I was able to send a backup over the network which reimaged perfectly.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Ig,

If I understand correctly, you were trying to restore the partition you were booted into at the time.

No image app. can do that from within the same partition.

You need to boot into another o/s partition , where the image app. is also installed, and restore the image of the other partition from there.

Some apps will allow you to create a separate bootable partition - Macrium paid version is one of those, but you have to use the app. to create the bootable partition , before you can actually boot into it.

Sounds like you didn't do that, which is why there no boot menu option for it.

OR you need to go into some kind of "boot time" mode.

That is usually done using a bootable cd, or sometimes, an app can flip itself into "boot time".

There is no particular advantage in the latter, except you don't have to have the cd to hand.

Macrium works great for me. Suggest you use the bootable cd to restore - it is only 6.5mb and loads very quickly.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

SIW2:

Thanks for the response.

I typed in an answer and was about to post it when I had a rare moment of clarity--for which I am grateful. Without it, I'd have made an even bigger fool of myself.

Here are my revised comments:

I have made maybe 15 images in the last 10 years, dating back to Drive Image, but never had to actually restore. So I am likely weak on restore details.

A couple of weeks ago, I made an image of C with Macrium Reflect Free and stored it in C:\images and later ran a backup program which copied that image file to D.

I made the images by simply running the Macrium wizard. It did the job in 4 or 5 minutes and I thought everything was cool--until I attempted the restore.

I have 2 partitions: C for apps and OS; D for data; Macrium is installed in C:\program files.

I was booted into C (Windows 7 Home Premium) when I attempted to restore.

In my near panic, I honestly don't know whether I pointed the Macrium restore wizard at the image file in C:\images or the copy on D.

I do have a Macrium rescue disk, but frankly would have assumed Macrium would tell me that C was locked, and then force me to reboot and automatically drop into a restore to my chosen destination, which is C. The on screen menu said as much, but rebooting led to Windows.

With this additional info, can you refine your comments?

Do you mean I need some special partition--which I don't recall reading about in Macrium help and which the wizard didn't refer to?

Or is the critical issue whether I pointed the restore wizard at C:\images or D?

Or am I forced to use the rescue disk, despite the on screen reference to rebooting to a menu?

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

I don't have the paid version of Macrium, I use the free one.

Is this what you refer to?:



Assuming you have the paid version , you need to enable the boot menu before you can use it.

From a quick look at the website, it seems you d/l the WinPe recovery environment.

That is then added to the Windows boot menu like this:

Windows Boot Menu

You can also make a WinPE boot disc from that download, in addition to the options for the Linux and Bartpe boot cd options you get with the free version.

Macrium offers that instead of a separate bootable partition.


I mainly use Paragon Drive Backup 10 Server Edititon.

That gives the options of Linux/Dos, and WinPe boot cd's , as well as the ability to create a Ramdisk boot entry ( similar to the Macrium method).

It also has the option to create a separate bootable partition/ HD , and it is also possible to create a dvd /blu ray/flash from which you can boot and restore the image it contains.

It is even possble to install a windows o/s, put whatever updates and programs you want on it, create a bootable dvd/blu ray/flash drive , and use that instead of the windows installation dvd to install on different machines.

Hope it helps.

 

[FyrmnJ]

I have backed up and did two successful restores using the free macrium program. I have a duel boot system (win7 and Vista). I booted into the vista operating system and did a restore of Win7. I have also booted into win7 and did a restore of vista. Both times successfuly.

FyrmnJ in Philly

 

[ignatzatsonic]

SIW 2:

Yes, that is the Window I see.

But, I do NOT use the paid version. I use the Free version, just like you.

All of my questions remain. How do you successfully use the Free version? Do you personally get that Window? Are you personally forced to use the Macrium rescue disk and boot to Linux?

What about my question in the earlier post about pointing the Wizard to C or D?

If Free users are forced to use a boot disk, I didn't see that info in the documentation or in the wizard.

FyrmanJ: I am guessing your situation is different because of dual boot? Are you unable to restore Win 7 from Win 7 or have you tried?

 

[SIW2]

Not sure what you mean by "forced to", as if it is a bad thing.

Yes, free users use the boot disc to restore - unless thay are dual booting and can therefore boot into the other o/s partiton and restore from there, if they prefer.

Restoring by using the boot disc is perfectly normal and valid with any imaging app. , and very quick and easy.

Many people prefer to restore from the boot disc, whatever app. they are using, and whatever other options they may have.

I am confused as to why you think there is something wrong with that.

Imaging is for disaster recovery purposes.

Typically, either:

1) Something goes horribly wrong with the o/s, so you decide to restore an image. It is not unusual in these cases that you can't even get to the boot menu. In which case, the boot menu option is useless.

2)The HD dies, so you decide to restore an image stored externally to a new HD. Again, the boot menu option option is useless.

Having the restore program on an external bootable media, e.g cd or flash drive is always the safest and most reliable way.

That is why all imaging apps will therefore have a method for creating a bootable cd/flash drive.

Some ( mostly the paid versions) will have additional ways of accessing the restore program. They don't all offer the same additional methods. Some may find them convenient in certain situations.

If you look at the Macrium screenshot, it clearly states that additional option is only available with the registered (i.e. paid ) version.

However, the only reliable method is using an external bootable device such as cd/flash drive.

Hope it helps

 

[HughShaw]

Who would want to use an imaging software that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't? That would be devastating to have it not work when you need it the most...

 

[SIW2]

Who would want to use an imaging software that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't? That would be devastating to have it not work when you need it the most...

What are you referring to?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

SIW2:

Thanks for the clarification.

I was led astray by not seeing any mention in the documentation for the Free version that I would in fact have to use the rescue CD.

I certainly DON'T think there is anything wrong with that. I just was unclear that it was required.

I did see that reference to the boot menu being available only with the "registered" version. If it had said "retail version" or something similar, I may have drawn the proper inference. Or I may have remained confused by the lack of a pointed comment in the documentation that Free users MUST use the rescue disk.

And my perception was colored by my use of Acronis 5 or 6 years ago. That was a retail version and I don't think I had to use a rescue disk.

At any rate, thanks for setting me straight. I have not actually attempted a restore with the disc for fear of getting in a jam--"if it ain't broke, don't fix it"--and it ain't broke right now.

So--if I boot to that disc, is there any way I can confirm that a restore would be successful if I only pushed this one last button?? Or do I in fact have to restore and hope it worked? I'd guess the latter, but would prefer the former. I think I "verified" the image when I made it--for what that is worth.

 

[johnwillyums]

Thanks for those posts SIW2. I've never done restore from an image and I'm a lot clearer about it now.
I suppose I can choose between Macrium or Windows 7s own app as gregrocker recommends.

Cheers, John

 

[SIW2]

Hi ig,

It's certainly a good idea to at the very least boot the cd and find the image , then select where to restore it to. It won't actually start to restore unless you click "Finish".

So, if you don't want to try a restore , just click "Cancel" at that point.

That makes sure the cd has the right drivers and recognizes everything.


Hi John,

I prefer Macrium as it allows you to select which partition(s) to image , and where to restore them to. It is also twice the speed of the Windows System Image app. and offers much better compression ( medium compression is pretty good).

It has a couple of other tricks, too. You can select to restore the image as Primary or Logical partition, and Active or not. You can also select whether or not to restore the mbr at the same time.


Paragon has a new free imaging app. as well. It will be very good as it has a lot more functions than the other freebies.

There are a couple of bugs in it atm , a new build is expected soon.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

OK--that pretty well clears it up.

My last question:

When do I need to make a new upgraded rescue disk? Or will the original disc work indefinitely and allow me to access and restore an image I might make 4 years from today--ignoring natural deterioration of the disk over extended time periods. Since it is a Linux disk, I assume it should work on Windows 14 or on a DVD drive I have yet to buy?

 

[SIW2]

I dunno if it will work with windows 14. LOL.

New releases of Macrium come with updated boot disc , they still recognize previous mrimg files, so no trouble restoring images made with previous versions of Macrium.

 

[HughShaw]

Who would want to use an imaging software that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't? That would be devastating to have it not work when you need it the most...

What are you referring to?

I'm referring to Macrium. Didn't some users say the image restore didn't work?

 

[SIW2]

No, the OP didn't know the image is restored via the boot disc with the free version.

The extra option to access the restore program from WinPe ramdisk is only in the paid version.

That's not to say it will work for everyone. No program ever developed does that.

Plenty can't get Windows System image to work properly , for example.

You will find the same with Paragon , Acronis, etc. - hard to say if it is a strange hardware /software incompatibility, or if the user isn't doing it right.