Image to be restored must contain same layout of destinatio to be over

[Thebeholder]

Your second HD partition scheme sounds OK.

I would kindly like you to answer my qustion.

Do you think the partition setup shown below is good?
I prefer this partition setup:
First HDD:
- C for the OS
- D recovery partition (often hidden)
- E for personal files (so you have to move your special folders 'Documents, Pictures, Downloads etc. there and preferably your mail etc. Anything that can change on a daily basis).

Second HDD:
- F for backups of your personal files (using Karen's Replicator for instance)
- G for images of C ( base image + new onces added after making system changes), of D (once) and of E (very, very often, like weekly or even better daily) (using Macrium Reflect for instance)

External HDD:
where you regularly make a copy of all that is on your second HDD. Preferably once a month or more often


If so, I would be asking that if I will need to restore the image of the data partition along with the image of the OS partition whenever I need restoring the image of OS, then what is the benefit from imaging data partitions separately from OS images as underlined above in Second HD?



NOTE: there are not any benefit at all from separating the images of C, in Second HDD, from the images of E because you will face a problem logging in with 'a temporary profile' if you restore only C.

I hope you understand me.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I use EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation 5.8 and it has an option to let you 'Restore to Dissimilar Hardware'.
It seemed to work OK on the one occasion I tried it.
Does your version of Macrium have a similar option? If so, it could be worth a try.

Wenda.

The paid version (PRO) version of Macrium does.

I really don't understand what you meant with 'Restore to Dissimilar Hardware'
Normally, I really choose the image to be restoreed, then I choose 'restore'. After that, I choose whether all partitions or individual partitions be resotred. Next, I choose the destination. So what is the benefit of this option?

I really have full version of Macrium, whose version is 4.2.2097(Registered version). However, I didn't find such the option.

Your's is an older version. The newest version is 5.1.

 

[Thebeholder]

The paid version (PRO) version of Macrium does.

I really don't understand what you meant with 'Restore to Dissimilar Hardware'
Normally, I really choose the image to be restoreed, then I choose 'restore'. After that, I choose whether all partitions or individual partitions be resotred. Next, I choose the destination. So what is the benefit of this option?

I really have full version of Macrium, whose version is 4.2.2097(Registered version). However, I didn't find such the option.

Your's is an older version. The newest version is 5.1.

How much does it cost? Can I buy it via Master Web surfer card?

I really don't understand what the benefit of 'Restore to Dissimilar Hardware' is as long as even free edition can restore to 'Restore to Dissimilar Hardware' by choosing partitions and drag them to the destinations.

 

[Thebeholder]

I wouldn't like to bather you, but I would respectfully like you to answer me this question of mine:
I really took many days testing restoration with Macrium. So I come out with this:

Do you think the partition setup shown below is good?
I prefer this partition setup:
First HDD:
- C for the OS
- D recovery partition (often hidden)
- E for personal files (so you have to move your special folders 'Documents, Pictures, Downloads etc. there and preferably your mail etc. Anything that can change on a daily basis).

Second HDD:
- F for backups of your personal files (using Karen's Replicator for instance)
- G for images of C ( base image + new onces added after making system changes), of D (once) and of E (very, very often, like weekly or even better daily) (using Macrium Reflect for instance)

External HDD:
where you regularly make a copy of all that is on your second HDD. Preferably once a month or more often


If so, I would be asking that if I will need to restore the image of the data partition along with the image of the OS partition whenever I need restoring the image of OS, then what is the benefit from imaging data partitions separately from OS images as underlined above in Second HD?



NOTE: there are not any benefit at all from separating the images of C, in Second HDD, from the images of E because you will face a problem logging in with 'a temporary profile' if you restore only C.

I hope you understand me.

 

[whs]

The main reason that one images the OS partition and the Data Partition(s) is because they usually do not undergo the same update schedule.

The OS may have more frequent changes than the data or vice versa. Therfore I always image them seperately depending on when I think enough changes have occured to require a new image.

But there is nothing wrong with imaging and restoring them together if that is what you prefer.

 

[gregrocker]

I'm unclear on why one would ever want to image the data partition. Since the data changes so often wouldn't it be better to sync or do File Backup to your backup drive or cloud?

Here is what I do with mine: Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[whs]

No cloud for me. I don't want to tie up my DSL line for hours and I would not trust the cloud. I always image. It's the easiest in my setup.

 

[Wenda]

No cloud for me. I don't want to tie up my DSL line for hours and I would not trust the cloud. I always image. It's the easiest in my setup.

I certainly second that, whs.

My C: drive only holds the OS and installed programs, nothing else, and is imaged with
EaseUS once a month, or whenever I make any major changes or install/delete programs.

There are two 'archive' images, one is a new clean install of the OS with nothing else, and
one has all the drivers and programs installed, but no games. So there are always at least
three images at a minimum if disaster ever strikes.

My D: drive is my 'work disk' and holds current data and projects that I'm currently working
on. This disk is backed up weekly by simply copying the whole drive, holus-bolus, onto an
external 640GB 'pocket' drive.

With this backup strategy, coupled with an up-to-date AV and MalwareBytes, I think I'm
fairly well protected against disaster and data loss. Certainly more-so than if I were to
trust my backups to the cloud.

Just my 2/- worth.

Wenda.

 

[gregrocker]

The cloud is most useful for sync'ing your data across a number of devices. I have several PC's which have their data files sync'd instantaneously using Skydrive as laid out in Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums.

So on Tuesday when I moved from my PC in Florida, cross country using my travel laptop, then landed at my desk in California, all of my files were kept in sync along with Firefox bookmarks, history and tabs. It was though I was using the same device. I'd reallly be maxxing out its usefulness if I cared to sync my phone this way.

Since I placed these User folders in Skydrive to sync them, it also performs a backup function by default.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Hi everyone!

image to be restored must contain same layout of destination to be overwritten:

I was expected that I can restore an image created by Macrium to a destination(hard drive) regardless of whether this hard drive contains the same layout of image restored or a different layout.
In other words, Must the number of hard drive partitions to be overwritten be equated with the number of image partitions restored?
Also, must the image be restored to the same layout of hard drive from which I was taken?
Besides, I wasn't expecting that I would face problem with restoring an image created by Macrium as long as the restoration succeeded via Macrium environment.

Even if the hard drive is new and it is not formated, I was expecting that when I restored an image created by Macrium to this drive, it will be restored successfully as long as the restoration completed successfully inside Macrium environment.
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.
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Did you restore using MACRIUM RESCUE CD? Was it the default linux or winpe type?
Linux: This creates a Linux CD that runs Reflect in a similar way to the Windows PE. However, the Linux environment does not contain the same wealth of drivers so some pieces of hardware may not work correctly. The Linux rescue CD is also functionally limited to a basic restore, without resizing or reordering of partitions.
------
Normally when booting form winpe macrium you can restore to unallocated space or override an already existing partition. It adjusts the bootmenu file and drive lettering in registry as well (only for partitions you restore). You can always run "startup repair" to make system bootable (adjusts bootmenu). When booting... check drive lettering in "disk management" and eventually modify it.

Normally boot menu is fine!! Mark "system reserved" as ACTIVE. It is marked active in the backup image and active as well on restore (default). Very reliable software.

 

[Thebeholder]

a

Did you restore using MACRIUM RESCUE CD? Was it the default linux or winpe type?

Yes, I restored with Macrium rescue cd created by winpe type of Windows not linux..

I really managed solving all the three problems mentioned before, but nevertheless, these questions would be still raised::

The most important is: Windows should have been loaded correctly as long as Macrium image was restored to a destination successfully via the Macrium secure CD environment.

Also, as long as the boot partition of Windows in an Macrium image to be restored is active, primary, I wouldn't need to take care of anything during the process of restoration.

Finally: I think if one have two images for two different versions of Windows. Also each of image contains two partitions: OS partition and Data partition.
So when you have restored the two images alternately, you will need to restore the two partitions all together. Otherwise, you would be receiving an error logging with an temporary profile, in particular if you have changed the the user accounts to the data partition of both the images.

as long as I will need to restore the two partitions during restoring, why do I not create an image of the entire drive (OS partition and Data partition).

 

[Kaktussoft]

As far as I can remember (I did investigate long time ago):

• Restored partitions have same type as before (logical or primary)
• Restored partitions keep the ACTIVE flag if it was active while backing up. But NOT if an ACTIVE partition is already on destination disk
• It adjusts the BCD store (bootmenu) on an active restored partition. It simply adjusts pointers pointing to old partition location to point to new location. It somes fails (don't know why).... but Startup Repair can fix it easily.
• It gives the new restored win7 partition the same drive letter as it was (mostly C)

I think the problem you had was: DATA partition wasn't called D (I mean the drive letter you expected) after boot(?)

 

[Thebeholder]

As far as I can remember (I did investigate long time ago):


I think the problem you had was: DATA partition wasn't called D (I mean the drive letter you expected) after boot(?)

I hope you reply me for these inquries:

Finally: I think if one have two images of two Windows different versions. Also each of image contains two partitions: OS partition and Data partition ، need restoring two images alternately, then you will need to restore the two partitions all together. Otherwise, you will be receiving an error logging with an temporary profile, in particular if you have changed the the user accounts to the data partition of both the images.
as long as I will need to restore the two partitions during restoring, why do I not create an image of the entire drive (OS partition and Data partition).

As I said before that some users say that it is best to keep images of data partition separated from the images of OS partition. So this(partition setup) would be quite useless as long as I will need to restore the two partitions during restoring in case I moved all use accounts of Windows to data partition and also needed restoring two images alternately. So if data partition wasn't restored along with OS partition , You would be encountring an error logging with a temporary profile whenever log into a user account as long as user accounts stored on Data partition on destinaton not restored aren't for the OS restored, but they are for the OS version overwritten.

I hope you understood me because I did all what I could to convey my inquiry.

In additition:

What the most strange I found was via Reflect PE Edition 2.0 Build 180 Windows PE Edition 32-bit, I can choose only one partition to be restored to multi partitions on multi hard drives.
What do you think is the benefit from restoring OS partition to multi partitions on multi hard drives(Destinations) as long as each computer has only one internal hard drive.
Also, OS only can be loaded on the internal hard drive.

The Reflect edition 5.0 Build (4908),On the other hand, I can choose multi partitions to be restored to multi partitions but only on the same hard drvie.

 

[Thebeholder]

Could anyone please take some time out to confirm for me what I have said in my last post?

 

[gregrocker]

I replied several times that the solution to this is to move the User folders back to C: User Folders - Restore Default Location - Windows 7 Forums

Then copy each User folder to the Data partition to add to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. Delete the data in the C User folder after doing this.

In the library include the empty C folder and the D copy with all of the files. Rightclick the D location in Library window to Set as Default Save Location.

Now you'll not be forced to include the data partition in the image.

If you don't mind doing it the other way where it's forced to be included with the System image then, yes, you'll need to include the data partition with the C image and restore them both together too.

Any other questions?

 

[Thebeholder]

Thank you so much indeed,
If I understood you well(this is not you fault, but for the difference in language. Also I don't think that I know English very well enough), I would like to ask you why I changed the default location of user accounts to other location via registry if I would need to move them back. I would include each User folder to the library related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. OPTION TWO.

Also, if I had done this 'option two', some user folders wouldn't have a location tab in their properties such as(AppData) folder. Tuse, how can I change it in the from its propriety?

I hope you forgive me if I might not understand you well

 

[gregrocker]

Did you move the default location of User folders to another location? Which User folders did you move?

It may best to leave them as they are.

 

[Thebeholder]

Did you move the default location of User folders to another location? Which User folders did you move?

It may best to leave them as they are.

Thank you very much,

No, I only changed the default location of user accounts' profile folder from OS partition to antoher one(D)
In other words, I changed, for example, the user account (John), which all its subfolders would be changed automatically along with 'John'.

I didn't move the user folders(music, vedio, etc.) indiviually from their preporties

Then copy each User folder to the Data partition to add to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. Delete the data in the C User folder after doing this.

You mean that after copy indiviually folders of 'John' as shown below to Data partition

Then, I include each one in the related liabray, if so, then,
There are originally four default libararies 'Documents, picutre, vedio, music'

**So, I should include the others (AppData, links, search, games, etc) by creating new library?

** When I copied copy each User folder(documents, picture, vedio, music,AppData, links, search, games, etc ) to the Data partition, I wouldn't get main folder of user account 'John' because I only copied subfolders?

In the library include the empty C folder and the D copy with all of the files. Rightclick the D location in Library window to Set as Default Save Location.

What do you mean with C folder and the D copy?

If we say, that the user account is 'John', so 'John' in C is empty C folder after deleting its subfolders(music, documetns, and so on) and 'John' which I copied to data partition with all its subfolders(music, documetns and so on) is D copy.

First: But can I include any folder to a libarary?

After I copied subfolders(Documents, picture and so on) to Data partition, included indivually them to related libaray as you said '
Then copy each User folder to the Data partition to add to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums. Delete the data in the C User folder after doing this.

What is being written in red color is differenet: 'add' and 'include'
" add' menas add subfolders to realted libary'
"include" means include 'main folder' empty and new copied to data partition.

Am I righ?

You wanted to convey, if I included the empty C folder 'John' and the D copy 'John', so all subfolder in John copied to data partition would be accessible but not be included in the libary. However, they are only added as libraries.

So I would get about 12 libariries because the subfolders are 12 folders as shown below:

I hope that didn't make my inquiry more difficult.

 

[gregrocker]

What is the problem with the proposed solution to keep the User folders on D, but when saving a backup image, or recovering using a backup image, include both C and D?

If you don't mind doing this then I would leave the User profile where it is. If you want to move it back to C, use Option One, Method Two in User Profile - Change Default Location

 

[Thebeholder]

Thank you very much for contining relpying
Your suggestion at #35, you don't mean that after copying subfolders to data partition, then I add each one to a libariry, so I would get 12 libraries, instead of four default libraries(documents, vedio, pictures, and music)