cloning vs imaging?

[soulfood]

hi what is the difference between cloning and system imaging? thanks

 

[kado897]

Cloning creates an exact copy of a partition onto another one. Imaging creates a file that is a copy of the partition from which you can do a restore.

 

[mjf]

I think the term cloning is defined in different ways by some. I think most would agree that it is a bit by bit / sector by sector straight copy.
It may be that cloning can be seen as a simpler way to make a duplicate HDD. For me, I see no purpose in it over imaging. Imaging is more flexible and efficient. Every system image you have can be transferred to an existing or new HDD. Imagining stores all the necessary files (virtually everything except the contents of the pagefile and the unused HDD space. It uses an intermediate file format which depends on the imaging software and often can use compression.

For cloning you tie up a complete HDD at least the same size as the HDD you're cloning. With imaging you can multiple images on a single ext HDD.

 

[Senteaf]

I thought it was the same thing...

 

[kado897]

It is sometimes thought of that way and in the end the result of an image and a restore is that same as a clone, but as has been mentioned earlier an image is the more flexible, as multiple images can be held and restored either to the original disk or another.

 

[Senteaf]

Okay.

With a clone I could simply boot into restore mode on a new computer and restore it, right?

Whereas with an Image I would have to install an operating system and then create a partition and then restore an image to a partition right?

I think I got it.

 

[kado897]

No. With an image you boot to a recovery disk that you have created beforehand and restore the image either to the original disk or a new one. The restore process will normally recreate any partitions in the image. Cloning is normally used when you want to replace a disk with another. If the disk you cloned from is bootable then the clone will be bootable also if it is marked active. It serves as a replacement for the original.

 

[whs]

You can do imaging and restore without ever installing an imaging program. Example: with the WinPE CD of Macrium. You can download the .iso from my skydrive. Burn it to CD and boot with that CD.

 

[mjf]

Okay.

With a clone I could simply boot into restore mode on a new computer and restore it, right?

Whereas with an Image I would have to install an operating system and then create a partition and then restore an image to a partition right?

I think I got it.

Also No.
You can view it this way
A clone is an exact copy on a physical HDD which is ready to go if you plug it in.

An image can be crudely viewed as a packed "clone" that needs unpacking to an existing or new HDD. So if a gremlin hits your existing HDD (virus, a bad app install etc...) You just restore an image of your choosing. The restore process "unpacks" the image and bingo you are back to exactly when the image was made. You can "unpack" your image to a new HDD if your existing one bites the dust.

 

[eburnettscd]

Depends what you care about, and what backup solution you use. I've had headaches over Acronis, Ghost, and Paragon from corrupted image, disk error, new hardware, bad media, etc where nothing beats a good old cloned disk.

Also cloned to bad hardware. So lessons learned always understand, test, and verify your backup process before ever trusting it.

Yet such a waste of space and time. If you have the space, time and resources (meaning extra like disk) go up one and mirror raid. If you are more concerned with the 'state' and rather save space, Windows System Image actually works very well here (much surprise!). Save backup time with reduced backup file sizes.

If you manage a slew of OS Installs and want to back them all up, WSI probably not for you. If you are looking for a simple back to basics good home solution for Windows 7, nothing beats it.

 

[eburnettscd]

Clone = having a brick of the same shape and color
Image = having a picture of the brick of shape and color

Clone you can directly replace whereas image you need the imaging restore tool to recreate the drive

 

[whs]

Clone - you need a dedicated disk that is 'like' the original to be able to swap. And you need the complete partition space.

Image - you can put on any internal or external disk (even DVD - although not recommended) and you can make many images. They are compressed to about 60% of the original data size - not partition size.

 

[mfx]

My prediciment may help as I need a clone not a system image and I also need some advice:

What is the best method to clone a data drive on my computer which has music,media and photos onto an external drive to playback on a media player (Med8er1000) on my TV please?

Should I use Windows backup and select the exact folders from the original drive to clone to the external drive, purchase software ie; acronis backup or another option.

I couold just copy and past but we are talking 1tb plus and I understand this option may not meet the desired results or is that incorrect?

Many thanks and not trying to hijack OP so apologies as this thread landed on my search result and felt relevant.

 

[mjf]

Depends what you care about, and what backup solution you use. I've had headaches over Acronis, Ghost, and Paragon from corrupted image, disk error, new hardware, bad media, etc where nothing beats a good old cloned disk.

I disagree.

You must have something strange going with your imaging process. I have restored a very large number of images using Windows inbuilt and Macrium Reflect to existing and brand new HDDs. I have never had a single problem and this has been on 3 totally different PCs.
I don't have direct experience with the 3 imaging programs you refer to but I would be surprised if Acronis gave problems.

 

[mjf]

Should I use Windows backup and select the exact folders from the original drive to clone to the external drive, purchase software ie; acronis backup or another option.

This is not cloning. If you are talking data only then have a look at this and see if it helps:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/187346-robocopy-create-backup-script.html
It describes the Robocopy command well.

 

[eburnettscd]

Depends what you care about, and what backup solution you use. I've had headaches over Acronis, Ghost, and Paragon from corrupted image, disk error, new hardware, bad media, etc where nothing beats a good old cloned disk.

I disagree.

You must have something strange going with your imaging process. I have restored a very large number of images using Windows inbuilt and Macrium Reflect to existing and brand new HDDs. I have never had a single problem and this has been on 3 totally different PCs.
I don't have direct experience with the 3 imaging programs you refer to but I would be surprised if Acronis gave problems.

Feel free to disagree, no software is without its bugs.

Acronis: what's great is the software is getting cheaper, what's not cool is as you phase XP/200x Server backups your old software will no longer support and you require upgrades. TI 2013 may have cured that false GPT/DD error last week on TI home 11, and Acronis B&R might back up that Win 2012 Server that Echo can't - but the upgrades aren't free. A very disagreeable surprise for anyone making the 7x64-8/2012 leap without Acronis upgrades first.

While not the biggest Acronis fan, it had its positives and was a useful application during its useful life. Not curious enough to try the new software any time soon. Many competitive alternatives these days, especially if your needs are simple.

 

[mfx]

Should I use Windows backup and select the exact folders from the original drive to clone to the external drive, purchase software ie; acronis backup or another option.

This is not cloning. If you are talking data only then have a look at this and see if it helps:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/187346-robocopy-create-backup-script.html
It describes the Robocopy command well.

Thank you checking this out now.

 

[kado897]

It may also be worth checking out FreeFileSync. The link is in my sig and I did a tut here. Backup With FreeFileSync - YouTube

 

[mfx]

Looks good and safer...thank you :•) and free bonus.. respect paid and deserved :•)

ps The music on the tut vid is very relaxing, nice.

 

[kado897]

Thanks. Truth to tell I chose the music because it was the right length and doesn't clash with the video, but it is relaxing.

That was several releases ago and it has changed slightly since especially the versions part, but the principle is the same.