Multiple Backup Images on USB Disk

[brj]

hi,

i have a large 1.5TB external usb disk i use to store the backup images created by windows 7 image backup.

the backup is started manually and includes the drives C:, D: and E: . although the disk has plenty of free space, i can only store one single backup set on it. older sets under WindowsImageBackup\[ComputerName] are always deleted.

what can i do to store multiple images on this drive ?

thanks
jakob

 

[mjf]

This is for Images NOT file/folder backup.
You can do one of 2 things or a combination.
Let's say you've just made an image in the root of your 1.5TB ext USB HDD.
Say it's F:
You have
F:\WindowsImageBackup
(1) Move
You can rename it and/or move it to a folder, say wstore
giving
F:\wstore\WindowsImageBackup
Windows will happily make another Image in F:\ because it does see one now.
(2) Rename
Rename F:\WindowsImageBackup to say F:\WindowsImageBackup_24_11_10
Windows will happily make a new image now under F:\

When it comes time to reimage your old versions move and or rename them back to
F:\
If and F:\WindowsImageBackup already exists there then move or rename it first.

You can make as many images on a single partition as you have space using these very simple procedures.

Recovery using the System Repair Disk of any of these multiple copies is described in the Tutorial
Recovering Images


NOTE: Move and rename is almost instant because it's a directory change. Don't use Copy unless you really want a copy. It will take ages.


File/folder backups will not be deleted unless you choose to. They will be added to and occasionally the old one will be kept and brand new one complete new one created.

 

[whs]

If you want to make your life easier, use Macrium for imaging. That is a lot easier and flexible. You can keep as many images as you like. You manage the images yourself. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I In my book, the Windows7 imaging sucks - but that may be just me.

 

[mjf]

brj,
you will find passionate opinions on this forum. I along with many use windows imaging because it has proven itself to me. BUT there may come a day when it like anything else may let you down.
Solution: Use 2 imaging packages.
I also use Macrium free "just in case" but keep fewer images.
1.5TB is heaps of space. Now buy a 2nd HDD in case the first one dies.

No software package or hardware is foolproof.

 

[essenbe]

mjf, is absolutely correct. I have 4 external HDs totaling about5 TB. I like to use external 3.5" enclosures. In an emergency, you can pull them out of the enclosure and install them in your machine. Back to the issue, the safest is to use at least two imaging programs and back them up on multiple hds. Also, switch hds on the imaging programs so you have several of each on all externals. I guess I am both a belt and suspenders type.

 

[brj]

hi all,

in other words: windows image backup can't store multiple images on the same partition !

i split up my large disk into 3 partitions, so i can store 3 backups. but i'll try macrium for sure.

thank
jakob

 

[essenbe]

Another suggestion. I do the same but when you do the image backup, rename it- like the backuo is called windows image backup, I rename it to like 11-24windowsimage backup. If you do that windows will create another backup. The only thing you have to remember is that in order to use it, you will have to rename it back to windowsimage backup. That way I can keep as many as I want and also can pick the date I want to backup. I do this on at least 3 different externals so I have plenty of choices from any backup.

 

[whs]

hi all,

in other words: windows image backup can't store multiple images on the same partition !

i split up my large disk into 3 partitions, so i can store 3 backups. but i'll try macrium for sure.

thank
jakob

There is no need to make 3 partitions. Just pick 1 partition that is large enough to hold as many Macrium images as you like to keep and define a folder in that partition (I always call it Macrium Images - LOL). Then image to that folder. Figure that an image is about 50% (in bytes) of the used space in the partition that you image. You can also image multiple partitions at the same time. I do that because my OS partition and my data partition are seperate (which is a good practice - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72427-data-partition.html ).

And when you start with Macrium, your first task should be to burn the recovery CD so that you have a means to pull an image in when you want to restore your system (that's explained in my Video tut).

 

[whs]

Another suggestion. I do the same but when you do the image backup, rename it- like the backuo is called windows image backup, I rename it to like 11-24windowsimage backup. If you do that windows will create another backup. The only thing you have to remember is that in order to use it, you will have to rename it back to windowsimage backup. That way I can keep as many as I want and also can pick the date I want to backup. I do this on at least 3 different externals so I have plenty of choices from any backup.

essenbe, seriously, who wants to jump thru all those hoops. That is exactly one reason why I always recommend Macrium (and I have no stake in the product). But it is so much easier to use and so much more flexible.

 

[mjf]

hi all,

in other words: windows image backup can't store multiple images on the same partition !

i split up my large disk into 3 partitions, so i can store 3 backups. but i'll try macrium for sure.

thank
jakob

Of course you can store multiple images on one partition.
Didn't you read my Post Number 2??????
I gave you 2 ways to do it. It's simple - Read Post #2

 

[essenbe]

WHS, that is not jumping through many hoops to rename a folder. But, I use Macrium too and another backup program as well. I have lost too much valuable data that is not replaceable before. Data that cost me a great deal of money and grief. I am just trying to make certain that never happens again. I guess you might say I wear both a belt and suspenders. I won't be caught with my pants down again. And BTW, I back up Macrium on two different externals. They break too. I do all my backups on at least two externals.

 

[whs]

WHS, that is not jumping through many hoops to rename a folder. But, I use Macrium too and another backup program as well. I have lost too much valuable data that is not replaceable before. Data that cost me a great deal of money and grief. I am just trying to make certain that never happens again. I guess you might say I wear both a belt and suspenders. I won't be caught with my pants down again. And BTW, I back up Macrium on two different externals. They break too. I do all my backups on at least two externals.

I fully agree with your strategy. I use 3 different disks for daily, weekly and monthly images - for both system and data (that is in a seperate partition). The "monthly" is always disconnected when not in use. Better be safe than sorry. But once per year I also do a complete reinstall of the OS. There is alway wear and tear that is just to much trouble to chase down.

 

[essenbe]

Whs, this is a curiosity question. I have always been leery of using internal disks for backups. I know many people do, but I have always been afraid that if something were to go wrong, it could ruin all of the internals. That is why I use externals. Am I wrong in that. It would be much easier to use other internal drives, and probably more efficient.

 

[whs]

Whs, this is a curiosity question. I have always been leery of using internal disks for backups. I know many people do, but I have always been afraid that if something were to go wrong, it could ruin all of the internals. That is why I use externals. Am I wrong in that. It would be much easier to use other internal drives, and probably more efficient.

If you have multiple physical internal drives, there is nothing wrong with using an internal drive (of course one that is different from where the original resides). That is a lot faster than a USB attached drive (unless you have a USB3 configuration). You do, however, not want to image to a partition on the same physical drive where the original resides. If that drive goes south, so does your image.

I make one exception to that - that is on my wife's laptop with which she travels. Here I made images into a partition of the same physical drive - the one and only. I figured that is still better than having to reinstall from the recovery partition. And should the drive go south, then everything is lost anyhow. She does, however, keep all her data on a USB stick.

I use a folder on one of my internal drives for my daily images (they are scheduled to run automatically each morning). That's how I get the 3.5 minutes for a complete system image.

 

[mjf]

If you want to make your life easier, use Macrium for imaging. That is a lot easier and flexible. You can keep as many images as you like. You manage the images yourself. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I In my book, the Windows7 imaging sucks - but that may be just me.

The question posed was very specific and related to Windows System Imaging. If it was a general question on recommendations for imaging then push your Macrium bandwagon. Otherwise give it a rest.

 

[whs]

If you want to make your life easier, use Macrium for imaging. That is a lot easier and flexible. You can keep as many images as you like. You manage the images yourself. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I In my book, the Windows7 imaging sucks - but that may be just me.

The question posed was very specific and related to Windows System Imaging. If it was a general question on recommendations for imaging then push your Macrium bandwagon. Otherwise give it a rest.

Who are you to tell me what to post? I am not "pushing" anything. I am just trying to give good advice based on 52 years experience with computers.

 

[brj]

hi mjf,

i did read post 2 !!!!!!

but without renaming or moving the images windows image backup simply overwrites the previous image on the partition. and that's not what i want.

as a workaround a can have multiple partitions and stay with windows image backup. or i could use macrium because it can store more than one image in a partition.

jakob

hi all,

in other words: windows image backup can't store multiple images on the same partition !

i split up my large disk into 3 partitions, so i can store 3 backups. but i'll try macrium for sure.

thank
jakob

Of course you can store multiple images on one partition.
Didn't you read my Post Number 2??????
I gave you 2 ways to do it. It's VERY simple - Read Post #2

 

[mjf]

hi mjf,

i did read post 2 !!!!!!

but without renaming or moving the images windows image backup simply overwrites the previous image on the partition. and that's not what i want.

as a workaround a can have multiple partitions and stay with windows image backup. or i could use macrium because it can store more than one image in a partition.

jakob

hi all,

in other words: windows image backup can't store multiple images on the same partition !

i split up my large disk into 3 partitions, so i can store 3 backups. but i'll try macrium for sure.

thank
jakob

Of course you can store multiple images on one partition.
Didn't you read my Post Number 2??????
I gave you 2 ways to do it. It's VERY simple - Read Post #2

If you find moving and/or renaming onerous tasks there is little more to say
I never rely on a single imaging software and have been using Macrium for quite some time as a safe guard and even then for neatness I place the images in folders.

With Macrium you must deliberately select the the 100MB system reserved partition (If you have one), which is a critical boot partition. If it develops problems and you cannot reimage it then you will have a few problems!. However, some Macrium users have stated you don't need to image it and it's a dreaded blight on humanity anyway.
Macrium is slightly faster than Windows for imaging but on a side by side comparison 3 times slower at reimaging (test 45GB image reimaged to a 495GB partition.

Good luck with Macrium.

 

[richnrockville]

I use Acronis True Image home version as it is pretty cheap and does allow you to create lots of images, each with a different name, most times it includes the date and time. but you can name it whatever.

I have 4 small esata external drives and each week I create an image of my C and another one of my D drive.

Acronis allows you to extract a file or directory from any of your backups.
It is fast and has never failed me on about 5 or 6 complete image restores.

If your a user group member, you can get a good discount from the user group store at ugr.com.
good people and I have no financial interest.

Rich

 

[whs]

There is also a free Acronis. Would that do the same thing? Acronis True Image Home - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com