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

 

[SIW2]

@whs,

You could scan your asus with this:http://ubuntuone.com/p/BY7/

save non-ms drivers into a folder. It may pick up the sd card thing driver.

Once you have it, can be added to your macrium pe.

 

[whs]

Thanks, it starts, says 'Application ready' and then that's it.

 

[SIW2]

You have to click BACKUP, then scan current system at the bottom.

 

[SIW2]

It only takes a swecond, then non MS drivers are already ticked by default.

Click Backup Now and select where to save them

 

[whs]

OK, let me try that.

That worked on my desktop. Now let me go to the little guy.

 

[whs]

I don't see any micro SDcard driver. Do you ?

 

[SIW2]

No.

Not sure if it only picks up things that are currently plugged in.

 

[whs]

The micro SD card was plugged in. Still no cigar, LOL.

 

[COMPUTIAC]

If I use this as a backup system, will it backup everything on the machine at the same time ?

It can, and do so very well, but I don't recommend it unless your machine has only one drive with one partition. If your OS and data are on separate partitions, it is better to back them up separately. If you have very much data in its own partition, you would be better off using MR to image the OS partitions and use a folder/file syncing program, such as SyncToy or FreeFileSync (I prefer the latter). A folder/file syncing program is much faster for backing up data.

This is what is on the HDD, only one.
You have to bare with me, with this 8.1 stuff.

If I use the "Standard" version, then I won't need another program to take care of the files and folders ?

 

[whs]

You don't even need the standard version. Any image from the free version can be mounted (just double click on the image file) and from there you can pick any data.

It is good practice to make a seperate partition for the data. If you image that on an as needed basis, your data will be safe. I always image to 2 different disks (I alternate). That gives extra security in case one disk fails at the same time as the system. It is unlikely, but makes me feel better.

 

[SIW2]

Nice idea about using the SD. Doesn't seem a way to make it work.

 

[COMPUTIAC]

Everything in my disk management then, will be backed up at one time ?

Do I need to backup all of it ?

 

[whs]

Nice idea about using the SD. Doesn't seem a way to make it work.

The funny thing is that I could not find a boot.wim on my 32bit Macrium. Just the one for the PE.

I have sent a mail to Macrium with the question whether the 32bit program can produce a bootloader entry for 'Recovery from Windows Boot menu' - that is one of the options in the paid version. I have also asked how they do that if there is no boot.wim - just to make sure.

 

[whs]

Everything in my disk management then, will be backed up at one time ?

Do I need to backup all of it ?

The system partition I backup once and stick it into a safe place. That you usually do not have to recover.

The recovery partition I do not backup. The same with any tools partition they may have.

The C partition and the data partition I backup often. For C, after an update or new program installations. For the data when I think I have changed enough to warrent an update.

I also keep at least 10 restore points on C and on the data partition. From those I can also recover data with Shadow Explorer. That is useful for the in-between images time.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/132087-shadowexplorer-recover-lost-files-folders.html

 

[mjf]

We all have different views. If you want to remain with the OEM system then I recommend making at least one image of all your non data partitions. This includes factory recovery/restore and tools partition if present. Store these away and you can always restore to a new HDD if your old one fails. There are other options for backing up data partitions.

 

[kado897]

The problem with imaging a data partition is thay it can be very large. You will be better off Using a file synchronization tool such as Syctoy or FreeFileSync. I also prefer the latter. They are both free. The link to FreeFileSync is in my sig.

 

[whs]

The problem with imaging a data partition is thay it can be very large. You will be better off Using a file synchronization tool such as Syctoy or FreeFileSync. I also prefer the latter. They are both free. The link to FreeFileSync is in my sig.

Agreed, if the data partition is very large - e.g. tons of videos - then a sync program is a better option. The problem I have with sync is that I do not fully trust it - but that may be just me.

 

[kado897]

The problem with imaging a data partition is thay it can be very large. You will be better off Using a file synchronization tool such as Syctoy or FreeFileSync. I also prefer the latter. They are both free. The link to FreeFileSync is in my sig.

Agreed, if the data partition is very large - e.g. tons of videos - then a sync program is a better option. The problem I have with sync is that I do not fully trust it - but that may be just me.

If you set it up a one way mirror with versions it should be safe. Synctoy cant do that but FreeFileSync can.

 

[whs]

That sounds like a good idea. I shall try that. Thanks Keith.

 

[kado897]

My video is a bit old but may help...



The main difference is in versioning. You now need to use a "macro" to date the version.