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

 

[mjf]

Volumes etc..Maybe this explains it?
Logical volume management - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[kathy025]

• Windows PE rescue media: This rescue environment is a Windows-based environment which injects the necessary drivers, Macrium Reflect components and tools to enable you to recover your system. Windows PE environments generally have better hardware support and allow you to perform functionality such as ReDeploying your system, fixing windows boot issues. There are two possible choices for PE environment which are summarised in the following table:

PE Version
Description
4.0
Created using the Windows ADK, this is a Windows 8 based PE environment with support for later hardware, UEFI boot and Secure Boot systems.
3.1
Created using the Windows AIK, this is a Windows 7 based PE environment which may work better on some legacy systems, or may be useful if drivers are not available for your Windows 8 hardware.

Source: Create a Windows PE Rescue Environment

From Anak:

But, you can find discussion on the web that 4.0 is more backward compatible and will work with 7, Vista, and XP - than 3.1 is forward for Windows 8 and 8.1

Hi Anak,

I will most likely go with 3.1 for consistency with Windows 7. Thanks!

Volume:
A fixed amount of storage on a disk or tape. The term volume is often used as a synonym for the storage medium itself, but it is possible for a single disk to contain more than one volume or for a volume to span more than one disk

...

You buy a 1TB HDD it has a 1TB volume, and you can add "partitions" after you get it installed.

A physical book on one subject is a volume.
The chapters in that book are the partitions.

The wiggle room comes in with something like an Encyclopedia where a subject could span between volumes

I normally do not get confused with Drive vs. Disk, Drive vs. Partition, or Disc vs. Disk, but Partition vs. Volume, I have been.
So I see, the keyword is "fixed". I will remember that. A nice analogy you have there.

Kathy, you are on an old, old version of Macrium. We are on version 5 now.

Hi whs,

I believe I am not on an old version. I am currently on Version 5.2 Build 6444.

 

[whs]

Well, then you are up-to-date. I only saw versions 3 and 4 on your earlier post.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I think the problem here John is that a partition can be all or part of a drive and that a drive can contain more than one partition. It is not a good idea to create an image of a partition to another partition on the same drive. If there is a problem on the drive it quite likely will affect all partitions so you will have lost your backup as well as the original..

Got that - I was reading into it something that had eluded me

For the record I always use another drive for the backup as I get really muddled partitioning especially when it comes to allocated non allocated etc etc. Probably should do a bit more reading.

 

[kathy025]

@whs:
Odd, I don't recall posting version numbers haha. Maybe it wasn't me. But hey, just looking for a spare DVD here and the rescue disc will be up in my recovery kit. Thanks for the tut!

 

[derekimo]

Well, then you are up-to-date. I only saw versions 3 and 4 on your earlier post.

That was the PE version Wolfgang,

 

[whs]

@whs:
Odd, I don't recall posting version numbers haha. Maybe it wasn't me. But hey, just looking for a spare DVD here and the rescue disc will be up in my recovery kit. Thanks for the tut!

Kathy, look at the first picture in post 791. I got it from there. And I assumed your PE version = your Macrium version. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[kathy025]

Ah, no prob whs.

the corresponding .iso from my Skydrive

May I ask what PE version and for what architecture (x86/x64) is the ISO in your SkyDrive?

 

[whs]

It is V5.2 for x64

 

[kathy025]

Ahaha, you mixed up WinPE version (3.1/4.0) and Macrium version (5.2) again. ^_^;

But I guess, PE 3.1 or 4.0 should do just fine. Good to know it's for x64. Thanks!

 

[whs]

I don't really remember when they changed the WinPE. But a very old version may not work when the image is done with a very recent version. It is always prudent to keep the imaging program and the WinPE halfway in sync. But if you have several computers, you can always make a new WinPE when in need.

 

[kado897]

PE 4 came in with Windows 8.

 

[SIW2]

As they are just downloading standard winpe.wim from MS , it is not clear to me why they aren't using pe5.

I made something to create bootable winpe media for you. It uses whatever version of winre you have. That means it includes windows recovery options. It also includes several other functions. Much better than any of the pe media created by the imaging programs themselves.

Aomei are smart enough to use the same technique, although that does include Aomei itself and windows recovery options, it doesn't have the extra functions I added into mine.. ( It also saves a hefty d/l )

 

[kathy025]

Would your WinPE be available for public download, SIW2? :3

 

[SIW2]

Yes, it is here: RE64v2.zip

It isn't pe in itself. It is a batch file that makes winpe media from what you already have on your HD.

The concept is is simple. You already winre.wim in your Hidden Recovery folder. That is very useful because it already several packages installed - one of them being the windows recovery options.

It finds winre.wim , copies it and mounts it. Then it adds menu, several useful free programs , like explorer, pwedit, bootice, ntrepair. Then it pops in macrium ( or any of the other popular programs ). It will also create a bootable iso and burn it, if you like. If you are running 64 bit windows (or 32 bit 8x ) that will support both efi and bios booting.

You get something far more useful than the winpe created by any of the imaging programs on their own.

 

[SIW2]

Very easy to use.Works on 64 bit 7/8/8.1

RE64v4.zip

Extract onto your drive like this:



Rt click and run as admin on the .cmd file:




1. It will ask if you want to d/l Recuva and MSTools. It is not essential, but it does add some extra functions, so I recommend you enter Y.

It will d/l them for you - only about 8mb.

2. It finds winre.wim, copies it. Mounts it. Takes control of the mounted winre.wim.

3. It then looks for the popular programs like Aomei, macrium, paragon, and pops them in.

4. It adds a menu and few free tools as well.

5. It unmounts the wim and offers to create a bootable .iso.

6. If you want to put on flash , just copy the contents of the "ISO" folder onto a formatted flash drive.

It should only take about 2 mins.

 

[SIW2]

Macrium users will end up with this:



Aomei users end up with this:




Paragon users end up with this:



Note: Paragon only supplies 64 bit files with their paid versions so far. Both Macrium and Aomei supply 64 bit files with their free versions.

Aomei also supplies 64 bit files with all their partition programs - including the free version, so if you have Aomei partition assistant, that will go in as well. They are doing a pro giveaway atm.

 

[SIW2]

Because it includes windows recovery options, click the menu button RECOPTx64 and you will get to the regular windows rec options:



If you prefer keyboard, you can switch between windows recovery options and menu

ctrl+alt+r for rec options

ctrl+alt+e for menu.

( Forgot to mention, it will also automatically have your timezone and keyboard.)

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Alas - No Joy!

Hello, SIW2:

WOW - What a job you've done!

Unfortunately, I guess I've entered the picture a few minutes late (typical for me) so after following your instructions to download the .zip file, I diverged in that I don't put things on my C: drive (it's an SSD and I understand that the fewer writes the better) so naturally it didn't work!

I have all of the programs you mentioned (AOMEI, EaseUs, Macrium Free, Paragon, and a few others) and I would live to integrate them into one backup program. I have already downloaded the AIK and ADK and built recovery ISOs from AOMEI and Macrium Free. However, I would bet that your programs assumes they are installed to their default locations while mine are installed to another drive.

So, when I tried to execute your .cmd file it failed miserably! I've attached the .cmd file that showed the many, many errors.

I hope you can help 'cause I really don't want to try to wade through your .cmd file!

Thanks in advance,

Sparky

 

[Britton30]

Go ahead and install program to the SSD, they aren't nearly as fragile as many say. I have tow systems with them with many programs on both SSDs. Besides you lose much of the benefits of a fast drive with installs on the spinner drive.