Macrium image or Windows 7?

[gogreen]

So I tested both today--boot disks that I created in Macrium Free, which lets you restore an image created in Macrium, and Windows 7's imaging and boot disk, which lets me restore the image created in Windows 7. They seem to do pretty much the same things. I tested them so that I'd know what to expect if I ever had a real need.

Any thoughts on which of these two is better?

Thanks.

 

[zigzag3143]

So I tested both today--boot disks that I created in Macrium Free, which lets you restore an image created in Macrium, and Windows 7's imaging and boot disk, which lets me restore the image created in Windows 7. They seem to do pretty much the same things. I tested them so that I'd know what to expect if I ever had a real need.

Any thoughts on which of these two is better?

Thanks.

Macrium over win 7 because it is more flexible. there is an even better alternative Acronis which can convert win 7 backups to its own format, and back.

 

[SIW2]

I believe most of the well known paid imaging apps can do that - and a lot more - for example, Paragon are the first to automatically align during image restore and partitioning in their new range.


However, if you are looking for a free app. - macrium is probably the most popular and is a lot more flexible than the inbuilt windows system image.

 

[kado897]

Use both for extra safety.

 

[gogreen]

Yup, I do use both just to be really safe.

What do you mean that Macrium is more "flexible"?

 

[chuckles1066]

I'd steer clear of Macrium Free.

I have several partitions which I'd imaged, they all restored without a hitch until it came to restore my c: drive.

I booted to the Recovery CD and the only drives available to me were c: and d: (DVD drive). Erm, my image of c: is (naturally enough) on a different partition (j: to be precise).

I have no idea how to get the recovery CD to "see" the j: drive and posting on several forums for an answer has drawn a deafening silence.

 

[Hopalong X]

I have both and have used both. Win 7 image and Macrium free.

If for some reason one does not work having an additional option is always a good idea.

Mike

 

[kado897]

I'd steer clear of Macrium Free.

I have several partitions which I'd imaged, they all restored without a hitch until it came to restore my c: drive.

I booted to the Recovery CD and the only drives available to me were c: and d: (DVD drive). Erm, my image of c: is (naturally enough) on a different partition (j: to be precise).

I have no idea how to get the recovery CD to "see" the j: drive and posting on several forums for an answer has drawn a deafening silence.

That's one of the reasons I went for Macrium Pro. The Linux boot disk had problems picking up my USB HDD reliably. Switching it off then on and rescanning usually worked. The WinPE disk available only with Pro has no such problems with my setup.

 

[SIW2]

Hi Chuckles,

Sorry to hear you are having problems.

Not clear what you mean .

You say you you imaged and restored several partitions fine.

Then you mention only two drives ( C AND J )

Is the drive that is not visible to macrium boot disc an external HD?

You appear to indicate it is a different partition on the same HD as the drive that can be seen.



Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management window?

I'd steer clear of Macrium Free.

I have several partitions which I'd imaged, they all restored without a hitch until it came to restore my c: drive.

I booted to the Recovery CD and the only drives available to me were c: and d: (DVD drive). Erm, my image of c: is (naturally enough) on a different partition (j: to be precise).

I have no idea how to get the recovery CD to "see" the j: drive and posting on several forums for an answer has drawn a deafening silence.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just had a somewhat concerning experience with Macrium an hour ago.

I recently rebuilt my system and now have a Sandy Bridge CPU with Windows 7 64-bit. I downloaded the newest version of Macrium, installed it, and made an image. No problem.

My first attempt at a boot disc did not work. The mouse was not recognized on USB 3.0 ports. I changed to USB 2.0 to get the mouse to work, but still was not able to choose a source partition to restore. The mouse had literally no effect once I got to that screen.

So I made another boot CD, this time using "compatibility mode". This one did not have any mouse support whatsoever, regardless of port.

For the third boot CD, I tried compatibility mode AND debugging. For completely unknown reasons, this one seems to have worked. At least I can boot from it and navigate several steps into the restore process as a test.

I have no idea what is going on, but it didn't inspire any confidence.

So, I will maintain my standard practice---hope imaging works, expect it to fail, and use another method as a fallback position (the free Western Digital edition of Acronis).

 

[chuckles1066]

Hi Chuckles,

Sorry to hear you are having problems.

Not clear what you mean .

You say you you imaged and restored several partitions fine.

Then you mention only two drives ( C AND J )

Is the drive that is not visible to macrium boot disc an external HD?

You appear to indicate it is a different partition on the same HD as the drive that can be seen.



Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management window?

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I have one drive, several partitions. Partitions d: e: f: g: h: and i: all restored fine from their respective images on j:

When I went to restore the c: drive from the image on j: I was naturally enough informed that the drive was in use and locked and so I booted the Rescue CD.

I can't get the GUI to "see" j: so I can't restore.........somewhat strangely, copying the image and the xml file onto the c: drive doesn't help as the Rescue Cd doesn't even see the files!

I've even made another copy of the Rescue CD from my laptop downstairs just in case there was something screwy with the burn but to no avail.

I think I'll go back to BootIt - not as pretty as Macrium but it works.

 

[SIW2]

That's why they have those extra options for creating the boot disc - if you now have one that works for your system - you are fine.

I just had a somewhat concerning experience with Macrium an hour ago.

I recently rebuilt my system and now have a Sandy Bridge CPU with Windows 7 64-bit. I downloaded the newest version of Macrium, installed it, and made an image. No problem.

My first attempt at a boot disc did not work. The mouse was not recognized on USB 3.0 ports. I changed to USB 2.0 to get the mouse to work, but still was not able to choose a source partition to restore. The mouse had literally no effect once I got to that screen.

So I made another boot CD, this time using "compatibility mode". This one did not have any mouse support whatsoever, regardless of port.

For the third boot CD, I tried compatibility mode AND debugging. For completely unknown reasons, this one seems to have worked. At least I can boot from it and navigate several steps into the restore process as a test.

I have no idea what is going on, but it didn't inspire any confidence.

So, I will maintain my standard practice---hope imaging works, expect it to fail, and use another method as a fallback position (the free Western Digital edition of Acronis).

 

[SIW2]

So J is an external HD of some kind?

It may be the macrium Linux kernel isn't picking it up.

That can happen with all imaging apps. - none of the Linux discs supplied with free versions are compatible with every conceivaable type of hardware.

Winpe discs are better at that - but , because a license is required if it is used as part of a commercial product - winpe discs do not come with any free versions from any company.


I suggest people make their own winpe discs.

Hi Chuckles,

Sorry to hear you are having problems.

Not clear what you mean .

You say you you imaged and restored several partitions fine.

Then you mention only two drives ( C AND J )

Is the drive that is not visible to macrium boot disc an external HD?

You appear to indicate it is a different partition on the same HD as the drive that can be seen.



Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management window?

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I have one drive, several partitions. Partitions d: e: f: g: h: and i: all restored fine from their respective images on j:

When I went to restore the c: drive from the image on j: I was naturally enough informed that the drive was in use and locked and so I booted the Rescue CD.

I can't get the GUI to "see" j: so I can't restore.........somewhat strangely, copying the image and the xml file onto the c: drive doesn't help as the Rescue Cd doesn't even see the files!

I've even made another copy of the Rescue CD from my laptop downstairs just in case there was something screwy with the burn but to no avail.

I think I'll go back to BootIt - not as pretty as Macrium but it works.

 

[chuckles1066]

So J is an external HD of some kind?

No j: is a partition of the one hard drive in my machine.

 

[SIW2]

Very strange, post a Screenshot of disk management window

 

[Frank1]

I've used only the one in Win7 and have had no problems with it. It creates the image as it should and restores as it should.

 

[pparks1]

The 1 thing that I don't like on the built-in imaging application is that you don't seem to be able to simply take the output folder and copy it somewhere else if you need to.

I use Macrium at work and haven't really had many issues. I did have trouble once with a mouse working in the restore boot disc as somebody else mentioned, but I did manage to get that resolved. Think it turned out being a BIOS update for the motherboard.

I use Acronis True Image 2010 personally. I got my copy for $23.99 at NewEgg and for $23.99...it gives me the ability to;
--create incremental backups
--vary the level of compression in my image
--provide a password which is required to recover my image
--Ability to mount the backup image as a hard drive and copy files from the backup
--Try and Decide (a method of snapshotting your OS, installing apps and such, deciding that you don't want them and putting your machine back to exactly how it was in just a few seconds).

There are other commercial apps that do some of this stuff...but the built in Windows System Image step does not. If all you want is an image, on an external hard drive...it works great. If you want more flexibility and functionality, look at Macrium, Acronis or Paragon.

 

[gogreen]

Thanks, ppark1. I just want an image in case the unthinkable happens.

 

[chuckles1066]

Very strange, post a Screenshot of disk management window

Here you go!

 

[SIW2]

Thanks, that's interesting.

Does macrium linux boot disc recognize the HD?

Does it recognize any of the partitions?

Does it only recognize the Primary partitions?