Hi. Anybody got any strong recommendation for disk imaging software? I hear diverse opinions on (eg) Acronis (and Acronis have a new version out in time for Windows7 launch in october) on Norton Ghost and various freeware titles, but I would welcome experiences and views from this forum. Thanks!
There are several good options for doing this, the one that a lot of users opt for is the native imaging capability in Windows 7 .. see Brinks tutorial -=> HERE
That being said, I use Acronis to back up my system to an off site facility ...
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
LENOVO K450 @3.0GHZ
OS
64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
CPU
Core(TM) i5 CPU 4330 Haswell @ 3.20GHz
Motherboard
LENOVO
Memory
12.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics
Sound Card
Intel HD integtrated
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 25' ISP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1900/1020
Hard Drives
(1) ST1000DM003-1CH162 (2) Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device (3) Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
For the RC1 and RTM releases thus far I have used the built-in "system image" utility and it's been working great for me. I don't forsee a need on my end of needing anything more than this.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've been using Acronis TI since XP. It works fine with Win7 as well. I already had to restore Win7 once. But everything worked out right, including activation. If you can manage to get a Acronis BootCD, you don't even have to install the program.
My Computer
OS
Windows 7 Pro X64
CPU
Intel I7 920
Motherboard
GigaByte EX58-UD4P
Memory
OCZ XMP OCZ3X1600LV6GK 6.00 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 4770
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
ACer X233H & NEC 1970VX
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 & 1280x1024
Hard Drives
WDC WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1 TB SATA
WDC WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA
SG ST3250824S Barracuda 250 GB SATA
So, in the spirit of completeness... what are the forum's experiences of using the native Windows utility to build a recovery disc and *restore* their Win7 image successfully?
So, in the spirit of completeness... what are the forum's experiences of using the native Windows utility to build a recovery disc and *restore* their Win7 image successfully?
I've used Acronis on various other PC's in the past but since starting with W7 a couple of months ago I have been using W7's own imaging software.
While it is slower that Acronis to make and restore an image it works perfectly.....being one to tinker, I've used it to restore on more than a few occasions
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93 GHZ
Motherboard
ASUS P7P55D
Memory
8 Gig Corsair DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Asus 560 TI
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 2443BW
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
120 GB Corsair SSD
500 GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
1TB Western Digital My book USB
So, in the spirit of completeness... what are the forum's experiences of using the native Windows utility to build a recovery disc and *restore* their Win7 image successfully?
Mine has been a perfect experience. I install my operating system and get my base drivers installed. Then, I use the Windows built in utility to create a "system image" which I choose to save to a connected USB hard drive. I pick the C drive as well as the hidden 100MB system partition.
If you need to restore, you put the Windows install DVD back into the computer and boot from it. When prompted for the type of install, you pick Repair. You then are given the ability to choose a "system image" to repair from. You pick it and then it puts the image back on your hard drive.
I've used this at least 15 times now at home and at work in testing. In addition, I've moved from 1 hard drive to another make and model using this and it's been just fine. And I've used it in 32bit and 64bit as well. As far as speed, It's taken less than 10 minutes to make the image and even shorter to restore it.....
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I wonder whether the built-in imaging facility of Windows7 will also be available in the Home Editions. In Vista it is not and that's why many people use Acronis, Ghost or all the others. The newest one seems to be Easeus.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
I wonder whether the built-in imaging facility of Windows7 will also be available in the Home Editions. In Vista it is not and that's why many people use Acronis, Ghost or all the others. The newest one seems to be Easeus.
