Imaging with free Macrium

   Information

This tutorial shows imaging with free Macrium Version 5.0. If you are still using Macrium Version 4.2, go to this Vimeo site where the tutorial of that version is stored.

The Video does not show the recovery part because I have no setup to screen capture it. But Keith (Kado) made this excellent recovery tutorial with text (but no sound) that he captured from a virtual partition.

   Warning

Note that the external disk to which you image must be formatted in NTFS. A disk that is formatted in Fat32 will accept an image, but the recovery programs cannot restore that image. You can, however, mount (open) a Fat32 image as VHD.

   Note

The production of the WinPE recovery CD (which is highly recommended) may take up to 3 hours because Macrium needs to download the 1.7GB WAIK (Windows Application Installation Kit). For your convenience I have uploaded a ready made .iso of the WinPE recovery disc. That can be downloaded in appr. 8 minutes which clearly beats the WAIK download. Once you downloaded and unzipped the folder, you can burn it directly to a CD with e.g. ImgBurn.

Here is the link to my Skydrive site.

Here is an alternate link from FileSwap (courtesy of Gary - Britton30)

I draw your attention to the fact that this WinPE CD can also be used to make images. That may be convenient in case you do not want to install Macrium on your PC.

This video tutorial explains the full cycle of the imaging process which is:

· Initial setups
· Image definition
· Image scheduling
· Image production

The imaging program that was used for this tutorial is free Macrium. But the basic principles are the same for other imaging programs although the user interface will be different.

This video runs for appr. 7 minutes.
There is a related thread on the Vista forum which gives a brief introduction to Macrium followed by a discussion.
You can download the free Macrium edition from here.

Note: If you have a problem with the loudness of the sound output of the video, check the "Loudness Equalization" box in your Playback device. It is under the 'Enhancements' tab.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7
• How to Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore Backup User and System Files in Windows 7
• How to Restore your System with a Broken Windows 7 System Image
• How to Create a Bootable Rescue USB Flash Drive for Macrium Reflect

 

[OvenMaster]

Thanks, all. The Seagate and WD tests all say there's no problems at all, but when I can't find or recover data that I know was there two days ago, that's a big red danger sign. I've managed to save the rest of my data and will swap the dying Seagate out this evening for a known-good WD spare I found in my parts box!

 

[Britton30]

You may also try this too. CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

 

[npaitken]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Suspecting that I may have a failing hard-drive, I'm trying to create an image using your tutorial. I hope it's not too late! I've backed up all my data but don't have an image!

I've had three failed attempts now to image my hard-drive using Macrium Reflect (Free Edition 5.1.5603).

After setting up a bootable rescue disk I ran disk image function 'Create an image of all partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows.'

Attempt 1:
MFT corrupt - Error code = 6. Please run 'chkdsk C: /f'

I ran chkdsk /f and it completed all 3 stages. Looking at the log via event viewer some cleaning was done but no problems were found. So I decided to have a second attempt at creating an image.


Attempt 2:
Backup aborted! - Unable to read from disk - Error Code 1117 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

After reading about Error Code 1117 over at Macrium, I ran chkdsk /r /f but it got stuck at stage 4 (11%) and I had to turn the laptop off. I can't find a log file for it. I decided to have a third attempt anyway but got the same error again

Attempt 3:
Backup aborted! - Unable to read from disk - Error Code 1117 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

Any advice on what I could try now?

 

[whs]

The only good advice I can give you is to throw the disk into the bin. I think it is shot. With that many I/O errors there is little hope that you can resurrect it.

 

[kado897]

Welcome to Seven Forums npaitken. I'm sorry to say this but whs is right your disk is toast.

 

[SIW2]

You can try and access it from winpe or some other bootable media - Linux puppy (free downloadable iso ).

Or parted magic screenshots

You may be still be able to copy off any vital files/data.

 

[Golden]

You can try and access it from winpe or some other bootable media - Linux puppy (free downloadable iso ).

SiW may be right......try this quick one I wrote for these sorts of situations. Lets see if it can read the disk enough for you to copy critical data:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ate-live-cd-dvd-usb-use-emergency-backup.html

 

[kado897]

The OP says he has backed up his data. it is just an image he is missing.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, missed that bit.

 

[npaitken]

Thanks guys. What a brilliant forum this is. Quick responses are much appreciated.

Yes, it's just the image that's missing. I have all my data backup-up via Dropbox , Amazon S3 and external drive. But bad news is I don't have an image - I wanted to the avoid the pain of having to re-install Windows 7 and lots of programs!

UPDATE:
I've just been speaking to Dell Tech Support and WHS is right, HDD is toast Run the Dell HDD Test and it failed! New HD coming tomorrow.

To be honest, I'm kind of relieved now. Although I'll need to write-off tomorrow to build it back up again, the silver lining is that I should be able to create a very clean, day-1 image of a Win7 install + programs tomorrow.

 

[kado897]

We have a tutorial for that. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[whs]

If you install with your original OEM disc, you may get a lot of crap on it. If you have a retail disc, that is not the case.

For the OEM case, I recommend to download a clean .iso from here: Dell Community

 

[npaitken]

If you install with your original OEM disc, you may get a lot of crap on it. If you have a retail disc, that is not the case.

For the OEM case, I recommend to download a clean .iso from here: Dell Community

Excellent WHS! Thanks for the link. Heading over there now to download

 

[Dave76]

Dell use to be good, the OEM OS disk was clean, no bloatware. Not sure if they are still that way.

 

[whs]

Dave, it's not too bad on my Dells. But Toshiba and Sony are really bad.

 

[npaitken]

Once I get the new drive installed and up and running with Win7, would you recommend taking an image before loading any programs? Perhaps this isn't worthwhile? Perhaps it is?

I do a lot of design and development worth and have around 40 programs that i use regularly!

Just wondering if you experienced imagers have any advice

 

[kado897]

It may be worth taking an image after all updates have been applied. The last time I applied updates to a new system took longer than the install.

 

[npaitken]

It may be worth taking an image after all updates have been applied. The last time I applied updates to a new system took longer than the install.

Yes, that makes sense; that's what I'll do. Once I get all the programs loaded I'll take an image straight away. Thanks

 

[kado897]

I was thinking more of Windows updates than programs, but if you have a core set of programs it makes sense to install those also.

 

[whs]

When you install a program, a system restore point is automatically created (if you enabled system restore). You can always fall back to that - if it does not mysteriously disappear.

I would just make an image twice per week or so.