I need software to make a bootable recovery partition.

CamCracker · 17 Jan 2010

I have searched all over on google and forums for software to make a bootable recovery partition and I can't find anything.

I need software that will make an image or a backup of my windows system / C drive and put it on a partition I have made (15gbs)

I need to be able to press a button like f4 or something at startup (bios) and for it to be able to load the recovery software if I ever had a problem with my computer.

Is there anything that can do that?

SIW2 · 17 Jan 2010

If you are quick , you can get this.

The download is only available free till 19th Jan 2010:

Paragon Backup & Recovery Compact Free registration

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Compact [32-bit]

Paragon Backup & Recovery 10 Compact [64-bit]

Select Manage Backup capsule - you get an F1 key at startup.

You can tell it to store the backup images you make with it on there , too.

CamCracker · 17 Jan 2010

Thank you so much. I just got it. Thanks again.

SIW2 · 17 Jan 2010

You're welcome.

Have Fun.

Are you sure 15gb is enough? An image will be about 50 - 60% of the used space of the partition you are imaging . Plus a little space to breathe.

CamCracker · 17 Jan 2010

I just reinstalled windows so I hope it isn't that much space. Thanks.

SIW2 · 17 Jan 2010

That will plenty if you just want an image of a fresh reinstall.

Restore that at any time and you are back with the fresh reinstall. Good idea.

Paragon will automatically offer the last partition as the backup capsule ( I assume that's where your 15 gb is? ).

You can also select a time out for the F1 key - I find 2 or 3 seconds is plenty.:)

fireberd · 17 Jan 2010

Just remember if the hard drive crashes (fails) your recovery partition is gone too since it's on the same physical drive.

SIW2 · 17 Jan 2010

Yes, you need an external image somewhere safe as well.

The recovery partition will get you out of most situations ( excluding hardware failure).

It is particularly useful for a laptop/netbook.

MilesAhead · 17 Jan 2010

You may want to make a backup on an external USB drive if you have one before making the backup capsule. I have had Paragon hose my partition table making a backup capsule on both Vista 32 bit and Vista 64 bit systems.

I haven't tried the similar mechanism in Macrium Reflect. I have redundant backups on several external drives so I don't really feel the need for it. The restore from internal HD is a bit faster if you are doing some testing or for some other reason need to restore frequently.. but for just system protection restore from external USB doesn't take all that long, esp. if you keep a high percentage of free space on your system disk.

Other than hardware failure, really nasty malware tends to attack your boot mechanism or partitions. A backup capsule is mostly useful for fast restores if you install another OS to try it and then want to go back to the backup up OS or make some changes yourself and want to undo them. If somebody nails you will malware chances are good your system won't boot to use the capsule anyway. The reason I bought backup imaging software in the first place is because somebody deleted my C: partition.

The backup capsule creation is not bullet proof on all systems. I'd create a way of undoing it before trying it.