Solved Image your system with free Macrium

[OvenMaster]

The WinPE is like an installed Macrium. You can do anything that can be done with the installed program. Write images, recover from images (full function), etc.

Wolfgang:
Okay, I tried the ISO you posted and all I got the first time is:

Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer. This error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is properly connected and then restart your computer. If you continue to receive this error message contact your hardware manufacturer.
Status: 0xc00000e9
Info: An unexplained I/O error has occurred

I tried a new blank CD-R and it loaded... the problem is that it specifies that the PE environment is 64-bit. I have 32-bit Win 7.

I tried making Rescue Media from within Macrium Reflect Free twice.
The first time, I downloaded PE files and added them. When booting from my freshly created disc, all I got was an error message saying that Windows could not access Boot Manager, and pressing Esc booted Windows normally.
The second time, Macrium Reflect hangs on "Please Wait". My disc burners just make clicking noises and don't burn anything to a CD-R disc.


I will stick to the Linux recovery disc which works just fine when I need it most. Trying to use an old non-aligned image is more bother than it's worth. I'm also suspecting faulty burners... they can't burn CD-RWs for crap. I've ruined more than I've burnt. Time to go burner shopping.

 

[whs]

Yeah, you need a 32bit .iso that I don't have for MBR. I do have a 32bit .iso for UEFI that I could send you. But that is for a Windows 8.1 system. It will, however, but in an MBR system also.

 

[groze]

I have an older 32 bit install file of Macrium reflect if want it. The only issue is how to upload a 160MB file. It would be slow, I would have to do it overnight. v5.3.7220_reflect_setup_free_x86 this version also includes pe3x86.

 

[whs]

I have an older 32 bit version if wanted. The only issue is how to upload a 160MB file. It would be slow, I would have to do it overnight. v5.3.7220_reflect_setup_free_x86 this version also includes pe3x86.

I would use OneDrive. 160MBs should upload in less than 1 hour - at least with my slowpoke line.

 

[OvenMaster]

Well, as they say, "when all else fails, read the instructions". Or in this case, Macrium's Help files.

The section on creating a Windows PE Environment states:
"Note: If you have problems creating a disk, [I surely did] you can try burning it using your preferred CD/DVD writing software. To use 3rd party burning software, save the image as an ISO image file. To create an ISO image file, select CD/DVD Burner, and select Create ISO image file from the list. Your preferred CD/DVD writing software should know what to do with the ISO image file."

D'oh!
I created a PE environment with the smallest (3.1, I believe) download, and instead of attempting to burn it with Macrium Reflect's built-in software, I created an ISO, which I then burnt to a CD-R with ImgBurn. I booted up with it, and presto.. success.

Here I am cursing my optical drives' seeming inability to use CD-RWs and CD-Rs and Macrium had a workaround all along. Yes, I'm embarrassed. Thanks for the guidance, Wolfgang, and thanks for the offer of the upload, Groze. Much appreciated.
Regards from Tom

 

[whs]

Very good. Glad you are all set.

 

[groze]

Very good. Glad you are all set.

 

[dsperber]

5.3.7277 is still the last V5 update.

Well, turns out we were wrong about this.

Turns out the folks at Macrium pushed out 5.3.7290 yesterday. I guess they continue to support their older product if it's crucial.

What a great company, which is why I had no problem paying them for the STANDARD non-free version 5 product, not to mention having no complaint paying them for version 6.

 

[kado897]

There is an update to v6 as well.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

5.3.7277 is still the last V5 update.

Well, turns out we were wrong about this.

Turns out the folks at Macrium pushed out 5.3.7290 yesterday. I guess they continue to support their older product if it's crucial.

What a great company, which is why I had no problem paying them for the STANDARD non-free version 5 product, not to mention having no complaint paying them for version 6.

I was shocked and impressed when I fired up my v5 Pro yesterday to find a bug correcting update. I had thought those would have stopped once v6 was out.

 

[DavidE]

Whether they will release a free version of V6 I don't know. if I remember correctly it was some time after the release of the paid V5 that a free version was released.

You passed the memtest Free v6 is coming

Please note: Version 6 of Macrium Reflect Free will be available soon.

Source: Macrium Reflect Free

 

[kado897]

Whether they will release a free version of V6 I don't know. if I remember correctly it was some time after the release of the paid V5 that a free version was released.

You passed the memtest Free v6 is coming

Please note: Version 6 of Macrium Reflect Free will be available soon.

Source: Macrium Reflect Free

 

[lehnerus2000]

Good news.

 

[Mike99]

I was thinking about using Macrium Reflect & was looking on their web site & reading up on it. Very comprehensive instructions, but almost too much. One link leads to another leads to another. Then I start looking through the knowledge base & what I thought was a simple & easy to use program seems overwhelming to use. I'm sure I'll figure it out but have a question.

Macrium seems to lean toward using a USB stick as the recovery media. I searched quite a bit however could not find a recommended capacity to use. One section mentioned "Reduced download size compared with full Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) - 150 MB to 450 MB (depending on PE version and 32- or 64-bit support). I don't know if that means just for the Windows Automated Installation Kit or if that also included Macrium. Another section mentioned "The windows PE environment is a rather larger at about ~180MB."

Nothing was mentioned in the minimum system requirements section. What size USB flash drive is needed?

 

[kado897]

The final size in the USB stick is about 200MB.

 

[SIW2]

FYI. new free version of Aomei backupper includes restore to different hardware. Unique in free versions as far as I know.

Best Free Backup Software for Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, Windows 7, Vista, XP

Be interesting how the others respond to that.

 

[kado897]

I spotted that Si.

 

[Mike99]

The final size in the USB stick is about 200MB.

Thanks,
That's pretty small.

 

[groze]

My image backup files are over 20 megabytes and that with high compression. I would take I would need a flash drive with over 20 megabytes of space just for one image backup.

 

[whs]

My image backup files are over 20 megabytes and that with high compression. I would take I would need a flash drive with over 20 megabytes of space just for one image backup.

That's a different story. He was asking for the size of the WinPE which is exactly 156MB. That one can be downloaded from my OneDrive.