Create factory original settings CD.

[barbarossa2241]

Hi,

I would like to know how to create a factory original settings CD. Should I do it on CDs or on an external hard drive ? And, I would like advice on how to do this. Thank you. Oh, my PC is "telling" me that I need 6 CDs.

 

[whs]

Use DVDs. 2 should suffice.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Thanks vhs.

 

[barbarossa2241]

84 min and 4 DVDs.

 

[whs]

That sounds like a lot. All of mine (from 5 systems) fit on 2 DVDs. They must have been written with a low density. That is just as good - is safer. What is the make of the PC.

 

[barbarossa2241]

I think the fourth dvs is only 25% written. Now I can sleep easy

 

[whs]

If you really want to sleep easy, make frequent images. With images you can get your system back and running in 20 to 30 minutes. Reinstalling from the recovery DVDs will keep you busy for a couple of days. And you may loose your files in the process.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[barbarossa2241]

I am checking it now. Thanks.

 

[barbarossa2241]

OK , used Macrium and created an image on an external drive in 28 min. Tomorrow I'll do my wife's laptop. Thanks again.

 

[whs]

No problem, any time. Make sure you burn the recovery CD.

 

[barbarossa2241]

I did burn 4 DVDs with the original factory settings. The laptop kept reminding me every time I start the laptop so, I finally did it. One q please..........what image did Macrium create ?

 

[whs]

I think you misunderstood - I meant you should not forget to burn the Macrium recovery CD from Macrium. That will be needed the day you want to pull your image back in.

Now to your question. The image is an .mrimg file. It acts kind of like an VHD. If you double click on it, it mounts a Virtual HD from where you can e.g. copy files - very practical.

 

[barbarossa2241]

I think you misunderstood - I meant you should not forget to burn the Macrium recovery CD from Macrium. That will be needed the day you want to pull your image back in.

Now to your question. The image is an .mrimg file. It acts kind of like an VHD. If you double click on it, it mounts a Virtual HD from where you can e.g. copy files - very practical.

Let's see if I got it right. If I have the Macrium image on an external drive, do I still need to burn the Macrium image on cd ? I hope I am not a pest but, still trying to learn.

 

[barbarossa2241]

Hey whs,

I did figure it out. Thanks for your help.

 

[whs]

Good, just the Macrium restore CD (Linux version is OK). You burn that in 2 minutes to a CD (not DVD)

 

[barbarossa2241]

OK. Will do.

 

[mjf]

The linux boot disk was a problem in the past for some system configurations.
You should check that the linux boot CD boots ok and you can browse to an image on your external HDD.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I'd recommend keeping an image on an external HDD -- much faster and probably safer to restore from. If you have 4 DVD's there's always a chance one could get defective -- then ????.

HDD's are cheapish even today you can get a self powered 1 TB usb drive for around 65 EUR.

Most of the stand alone backup / restore programs that can be booted from a CD / USB will be able to find images stored on external HDD's. (Macrium, Acronis, Paragon etc etc,)

Cheers
jimbo

 

[barbarossa2241]

Hi there
I'd recommend keeping an image on an external HDD -- much faster and probably safer to restore from. If you have 4 DVD's there's always a chance one could get defective -- then ????.

HDD's are cheapish even today you can get a self powered 1 TB usb drive for around 65 EUR.

Most of the stand alone backup / restore programs that can be booted from a CD / USB will be able to find images stored on external HDD's. (Macrium, Acronis, Paragon etc etc,)

Cheers
jimbo

Hi,

I know to back up my files on an external drive but how do I save an image on that drive ? When Asus reminded me about creating a back up the only option was to do it on CDs. Little confusing about back up, system image. restore CD, repair CD and so on.

 

[mjf]

There is a difference between making your own bacupk images and making a Factory restore. Factory Restores require DVDs (always as far as I know) and between 2-4.

However, You can image the OEMs recovery partition (plus tools partition if they have one). These can be reimaged if the recovery partition is damaged or you replace your HDD. Macrium Reflect does this easily.