Solved Backup and Resore

[PatrickRobinson]

I realize this is novice-like....I want to restore my computer to factory condition except that I have used the Windows anytime upgrade and now use 7 Professional. Can I use the standard backup and restore without reverting back to the original 7 Basic?
Thanks, Patrick

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Can I use the standard backup and restore without reverting back to the original 7 Basic?
Thanks, Patrick

What, exactly, do you mean by "the standard backup and restore"?

I would think that if you use any recovery capability that Dell might have put on the machine via a hidden partition, that you would be restored to the original OS, which I assume is 7 Basic.

If you attempt to backup and restore what you now have (Professional), you will be restored to Professional.

 

[PatrickRobinson]

Sorry for the poor verbiage. I want to backup to an external hard drive and wipe the system clean and then "restore". Will the Dell mini "boot" from the external drive? Thanks for your help!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

In your first post, you say "I want to restore my computer to factory condition..."

In your second post, you say "I want to backup to an external hard drive".

I'm still unclear on your intent.

A restore to factory condition would restore you to Basic.

A backup and restore of what you have now would restore you to Professional.

Assuming you want to do the latter, you would make an image of your Professional installation, store that image on the external, and then restore that image file from the external to your internal hard drive--either your current internal or a replacement.

You can't boot from this image file until it's restored. You wouldn't attempt to boot from the external.

But I don't know what a "Dell Mini" is. Does it have a DVD drive or a USB port? Does it have a hard drive?

 

[PatrickRobinson]

In your first post, you say "I want to restore my computer to factory condition..."

In your second post, you say "I want to backup to an external hard drive".

I'm still unclear on your intent.

A restore to factory condition would restore you to Basic.

A backup and restore of what you have now would restore you to Professional.

Assuming you want to do the latter, you would make an image of your Professional installation, store that image on the external, and then restore that image file from the external to your internal hard drive--either your current internal or a replacement.

You can't boot from this image file until it's restored. You wouldn't attempt to boot from the external.

But I don't know what a "Dell Mini" is. Does it have a DVD drive or a USB port? Does it have a hard drive?

The Dell Inspiron 1012 (or as the logo reads, "INSPIRON mini"). It does not have a DVD (of course, with the anytime upgrade, there is no disc...its an online download. From the control panel, I have Backup and Restore, and within that I have the option to create a system image. It does have 3 USB ports. The 1012 is a neat lipstick design laptop.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Do you want to restore to factory condition (Basic)?

or

Do you want to make a backup of what you now have (Professional)?

 

[PatrickRobinson]

The Dell Inspiron 1012 (or as the logo reads, "INSPIRON mini"). It does not have a DVD (of course, with the anytime upgrade, there is no disc...its an online download. From the control panel, I have Backup and Restore, and within that I have the option to create a system image. It does have 3 USB ports. The 1012 is a neat little lipstick design.

 

[PatrickRobinson]

I want a backup of what I have now (7 Professional).

 

[ignatzatsonic]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

I'd use the procedure in the above tutorial, using Macrium.

I would NOT use Windows Backup and Restore.

Aomei Backupper is another tool you could use instead of Macrium.

 

[PatrickRobinson]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

I'd use the procedure in the above tutorial, using Macrium.

I would NOT use Windows Backup and Restore.

Aomei Backupper is another tool you could use instead of Macrium.

Actually, the create system image is not within the "Backup and Restore". It is an additional option. It simply asks that the image be created on an external HDD...which I have (attached via USB port). Your thoughts?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/218920-macrium-reflect-create-bootable-rescue-usb-drive.html

I'd use the procedure in the above tutorial, using Macrium.

I would NOT use Windows Backup and Restore.

Aomei Backupper is another tool you could use instead of Macrium.

Actually, the create system image is not within the "Backup and Restore". It is an additional option. It simply asks that the image be created on an external HDD...which I have (attached via USB port). Your thoughts?

My thought is to use something else.

 

[mjf]

I use both Windows inbuilt system imaging and Macrium Reflect with basically no problems. The evidence from posts on this forum is that Windows inbuilt has caused people problems and definitely is limited compared with Macrium. What I think is being suggested is that you seriously consider the (free or paid) version of Macrium Reflect & I agree.

 

[RolandJS]

I'm wondering if OP came across the offer to make rescue/restore DVDs; my earlier laptops gave me that option. Macrium Reflect [pay-for] or Acronis True Image 2015 [only a pay-for] are two of the best ways to go with any serious systematic backup/restore routine, especially for a first-time save.

 

[PatrickRobinson]

I use both Windows inbuilt system imaging and Macrium Reflect with basically no problems. The evidence from posts on this forum is that Windows inbuilt has caused people problems and definitely is limited compared with Macrium. What I think is being suggested is that you seriously consider the (free or paid) version of Macrium Reflect & I agree.

Thanks to all for the help!