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

 

[whs]

If your hardware has x64 capability, it will work.

 

[harry973]

sorry can you tell me how to check that...???

 

[whs]

Press Start and type: msinfo32 - then hit Enter. You should see it like in the picture.

 

[Golden]

Note : if you want to boot the WinPE ISO from a USB drive (I use YUMI) then you must rename the ISO such that there are no spaces in the name. For example, rename it like this:

Macrium 5.0 WinPE.ISO ---> Macrium_5.0_WinPE.ISO

Failure to do that will result in the USB not booting.

Regards,
Golden

 

[whs]

Note : if you want to boot the WinPE ISO from a USB drive (I use YUMI) then you must rename the ISO such that there are no spaces in the name. For example, rename it like this:

Macrium 5.0 WinPE.ISO ---> Macrium_5.0_WinPE.ISO

Failure to do that will result in the USB not booting.

Regards,
Golden

Very good. I did not know that either. But I typically do not use USB sticks for booting.

 

[kado897]

Note : if you want to boot the WinPE ISO from a USB drive (I use YUMI) then you must rename the ISO such that there are no spaces in the name. For example, rename it like this:

Macrium 5.0 WinPE.ISO ---> Macrium_5.0_WinPE.ISO

Failure to do that will result in the USB not booting.

Regards,
Golden

Very good. I did not know that either. But I typically do not use USB sticks for booting.

That's right. YUMI does a search function that errors if there are spaces.

 

[harry973]

Press Start and type: msinfo32 - then hit Enter. You should see it like in the picture.

I checked google also there i found many ways to find whether hardware is 64 bit capable :

1.Computer properties > windows experience index > view and print detailed performance and system info > there under system> 64 bit capable

In my case "64 bit capable is marked as yes.

2.But using msinfo32.exe it shows x86-based pc.

3. using regedit.exe it again shows x86 system.

Only first method says my system is 64 bit capable and not 2 and 3.

Why there is difference. If 2 and 3 shows my hardware is 32 bit then what does first method meant by "64 bit capable : yes".....

 

[whs]

What is your CPU.

 

[Britton30]

I checked google also there i found many ways to find whether hardware is 64 bit capable :

1.Computer properties > windows experience index > view and print detailed performance and system info > there under system> 64 bit capable

In my case "64 bit capable is marked as yes.

2.But using msinfo32.exe it shows x86-based pc.

3. using regedit.exe it again shows x86 system.

Only first method says my system is 64 bit capable and not 2 and 3.

Why there is difference. If 2 and 3 shows my hardware is 32 bit then what does first method meant by "64 bit capable : yes".....

2 and 3 show what is now installed, not the capability of the system, nor are they able to. Download GRC | SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features |   and run it, it has no installer and runs from the .exe file.

 

[harry973]

I checked google also there i found many ways to find whether hardware is 64 bit capable :

1.Computer properties > windows experience index > view and print detailed performance and system info > there under system> 64 bit capable

In my case "64 bit capable is marked as yes.

2.But using msinfo32.exe it shows x86-based pc.

3. using regedit.exe it again shows x86 system.

Only first method says my system is 64 bit capable and not 2 and 3.

Why there is difference. If 2 and 3 shows my hardware is 32 bit then what does first method meant by "64 bit capable : yes".....

2 and 3 show what is now installed, not the capability of the system, nor are they able to. Download GRC*|*SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features*|** and run it, it has no installer and runs from the .exe file.

Thanks a lot you cleared the confusion...

The software showed mine is 64 bit capable hardware/CPU......So this means i can use the 64 bit win pe rescue cd(uploaded here) for my 32 bit windows as Whs said earlier.??

I have one more doubt though this forum is for windows seven..But i have windows vista sp2 (originally sp1).
When i tried to create win pe rescue cd just for checking in macrium it asks for downloading 1.7 gb AIK. I searched separately in microsoft download site there i found 1.7 gb aik is for windows 7 and for vista sp1 and server 2008 its 1.3 gb.
Though AIK download for windows 7 also has windows vista sp1 as system requirement.

1.Will windows 7 or windows vista sp1 aik create any difference.???
2.Do i have to download windows vista sp1 aik separately and manually using this in macrium and not asks for macrium to downlaod 1.7 gb aik.????

 

[kado897]

If you use the ISO uploaded by whs you do not need the WAIK. You only need the WAIK if you are creating your own ISO.

 

[whs]

You need not worry about all of that. Just burn the recovery CD from the .iso that I uploaded. It will serve you with Vista too.

If nothing else, you can also use the CD to create restore points. No need to install Macrium.

 

[harry973]

thanks ......for clarifying....!!!!

 

[Golden]

Has anyone played around with the latest Macrium patch? Is a new WAIK download required in order to have this patch in the WinPE?

August 1st, 2012

What's new:
· Windows PE Rescue media wizard - Driver injection
· Improved USB3.0 driver compatibility. Macrium Reflect now supports the latest USB 3.0 hardware

Macrium Reflect Standard Edition 5.0 Build 4870 - Changelog - Softpedia

 

[kado897]

I wouldn't think so. The WAIK hasn't changed just the Macrium part.

 

[Golden]

Thanks Keith, but perhaps my question is poorly put : is WHS' ISO he made available for download to us outdated as it was created prior to this patch?

 

[kado897]

Yes it is. Wolfgang will need to create an updated version.

 

[Golden]

Thanks Keith - sorry for the confusion.

Wolfgang : can we tempt you to build an updated ISO for us, please Sir?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Sorry for butting in but I couldn't help wondering what a WAIK was so Googled it and it doesn't come up as a Microsoft - or Windows product.

So could someone let me know which is the best site to load it form (safest) - thnaks

 

[whs]

Sorry for butting in but I couldn't help wondering what a WAIK was so Googled it and it doesn't come up as a Microsoft - or Windows product.

So could someone let me know which is the best site to load it form (safest) - thnaks

Google Windows automated installation kit > https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10333