Backup and Restore Hard Drive Image

[huffman]

I know I should have done this long ago, but I just never got around to it.

Yesterday I made a system image and placed it on an external hard drive. It seems rather straight forward to replace the image should I ever need it.

The question I have is: Is there anyway to verify the image I created. It seems a big deal if I ever need it and it is no good?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi huffman,

The question I have is: Is there anyway to verify the image I created. It seems a big deal if I ever need it and it is no good?

What software imaging program did you use to create the system image?
To verify the image with regard to the files etc, then all you need to do is to mount it!

I hope this helps!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I suggest using Macrium Reflect Free for imaging. Starting with V6, it not only has to option to verify images, it can be set to automatically verify images immediately after they have been created. Verifying an image will take as long as it did to make the image but I highly recommend doing so. I've very rarely have had an image fail to verify but, when it did happen, I just started over and the second attempt verified.

After downloading and installing Macrium Reflect, immediately create some rescue media on CDs or USB flash drives. I recommend making at least two so, if one dies, you wll have another one to fall back on. If you ever need to restore an image, you will need to boot from the rescue media. It's not necessary to use the rescue media to create your images, however. You can continue to use the computer while the image is being made or you can just walk away from the computer and do whatever while waiting for Macrium Reflect to finish doing its thing.

I also recommend making only full images and to not save them on a drive in the computer. They should be saved on an external drive

 

[huffman]

I used the built-in imaging (backup) program in Windows 7.

That is why I wanted to know about anyway to verify.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I used the built-in imaging (backup) program in Windows 7.

That is why I wanted to know about anyway to verify.

Windows built-in backup program is not the most reliable in th world, based on the number of posts I see by people having problems with it. I've had excellent luck using Macrium Reflect which is why I recommend it. I only recommend the free version now since Paramount (the company that makes Macrium Reflect) uses a flaky company called Cleverbridge (which is not at all clever) to handle the purchasing transaction. I trust (not so) Cleverbridge about as far as I can throw my F150.

Btw, you are to be commended for realizing the need for backups!