Solved Image Backups - Win 7 - Manage Image files?

[badspell68]

I created two image backups with Win 7 on a drive with more then enough space for two images. The first one was of my full system and the second was of my build without any files, but after doing the second one I can't locate the first. Does it overwrite the images? The file size and date suggest the images are now combined...is this possible, can I change the names given to the image folders and move them to other drives? Please explain how this all works and how others, out there, handle their process?

 

[davehc]

Most image programs make such an image of the entire drive/partition, unless you specify otherwise. If you had bot images on that drive, then one would have overwritten the other. Best is to make you images in another partition/HD from that which you are copying.

 

[DarkScorpion]

Yes, normally when you make a new Backup it will overwrite the one on the same drive. You can create another backup and delete that one, just be sure to choose your files to be backed up as well.

I use a removeable USB drive from Verbatim, 500 gigs, and it works like a charm. only $80.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Windows 7 imaging does not appreciate renamed or moved image files. That's one of the complications that has caused many on this forum to use other products.

 

[badspell68]

I used the Win 7 backup and restore. I just discovered two VHD files that could be both images, but there seems to be many other files and both VHD files have the same date. Anyone know all about this stuff?

 

[kado897]

Windows 7 allocates up to 30% of your backup drive for image files and manages this space. The folder is called WindowsImageBackup. If you fill this space the oldest is deleted. If you need more control over this you need to do it manually by renaming the WindowsImageBackup file to something else (I usually add the date) before taking your next image backup. Note that if you want to restore from the backups they must be renamed back to WindowsImageBackup.

I hope this is some help to you.

 

[badspell68]

I think that is what I was looking for...So, you are saying I can keep multible backups on the same drive by simply re-naming the filder to say (backup 1) then when I need to restore a backup I rename the folder with the image that I need to (WindowsImageBackup)? I am backing up 30gb drives to a 500gb drive so in theory I should be able to add tons of images?

 

[kado897]

Yes that is correct.

 

[Brink]

Hello Badspell,

In addition to the above, the tutorial below and the related links at the bottom of it can give you some more details about it that may help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[kado897]

Thanks Shawn.

 

[Brink]

Thanks Shawn.

Anytime Keith. I just hope that it may help the OP.

 

[kado897]

I keep forgetting that it was your tutorial that pointed me in this direction

 

[Phone Man]

You may want to try Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
Its has a free version and works great. You can have multiple copies of images and move them around with out a problem.

Jim

 

[kado897]

I use that too but you must check that the linux recovery disk works in your environment. Some people including myself have had problems with it finding the backup drive.

 

[richnrockville]

FWIW, a lot less aggrivation than renaming windowsimagebackups is to use a commercial product that is
pretty cheap and works. Acronis true image. It works and is available at the user group store at ugr.com if
your a member of a user group.
I don't have any financial interest, just like good reasonable software. best $25 I have spent in a long time.

 

[mjf]

I have never had a problem renaming or moving WindowsImageBackup. I've done this many times, just don't play around inside the folder. I don't suggest you move across partition boundaries because then you are performing a physical move. The other changes are simple directory changes.

I find the following convenient. Rename images by date:
WindowsImageBackup_dd_mm_yy
Then in the same partition (or folder) create a file Images.txt
Here I annotate by date and time any significant changes that were made eg.
SP1 installed 23/2/11 8pm
Simple but effective.

If by chance the Macrium linux boot disk doesn't work then Hiren's boot CD v13 has a mini XP with the Windows Macrium pe built in. I have restored a full system (x64) using this without problems.

 

[badspell68]

Thanks!!