System Image

[prospero]

I am attempting to create a system image on an external USB drive. Backup and Restore says in needs 96GB free space. The partition I wish to use has just been formatted to NTFS and contains 270GB free space but B&R reports insufficient drive space.

 

[richc46]

Welcome

I am guessing when you say usb drive, you mean a finger drive or a thumb drive. If so, this is one medium that you cannot use to download a system image. It is suggested that you use an external hard drive, or CD (which are a pain). Alternatively you can use this:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

I usually use the term usb drive to mean finger drive, but I question that fact in this situation because of the size available.

 

[gregrocker]

Google the exact error text to see how others have solved that issue.

 

[prospero]

The remote drive is an Iomega 500GB, partitioned to 270GB for system backup and 200GB for data backup.
I've also noticed that my system restore points have disappeared and when I try to set a new one I get error: 0x80070070 - insufficient space. I've upped the maximum disk space for system protection to the maximum (10.69GB) although System Protection for RECOVERY is reporting current usage at 3.98GB. Incidentally, I've recently installed MS Visual Studio 2010, this is the only major change.

 

[prospero]

Welcome

I am guessing when you say usb drive, you mean a finger drive or a thumb drive. If so, this is one medium that you cannot use to download a system image. It is suggested that you use an external hard drive, or CD (which are a pain). Alternatively you can use this:
Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

I usually use the term usb drive to mean finger drive, but I question that fact in this situation because of the size available.

Many thanks for the link, Rich. I'm backing up now.
However, although I'm happy to be able to create a backup, it doesn't address the underlying Windows issue. I have Googled the error message, but all the threads seem to say 'yes, I've got the same problem'.

 

[richc46]

It has been my experience that when Google shows many instances of the same problem, without solutions, it means that it is a bug that has to be addressed by Microsoft.

 

[richc46]

TY for the rep. Let me tell you how I use my System Image

I used Paragon to make an initial back up and put it away and forgot about it. Every month, I make an image, using the OS system image and keep it on my internal hard drive (it is excellent when used with the same HD that it is on). Once month I update. If I have a problem, I just use my system image. In the event that the problem is casused by a Hard Drive failure or a virus, I can use the image that was safely put away. Good luck my friend.

 

[eldinv]

TY for the rep. Let me tell you how I use my System Image

I used Paragon to make an initial back up and put it away and forgot about it. Every month, I make an image, using the OS system image and keep it on my internal hard drive (it is excellent when used with the same HD that it is on). Once month I update. If I have a problem, I just use my system image. In the event that the problem is casused by a Hard Drive failure or a virus, I can use the image that was safely put away. Good luck my friend.

I do the same and I highly recommend you to use a application called Macrium Reflect FREE Edition, it is amazing!!!!!

When I first installed my OS, and downloaded all my drivers and basic application I created my first system image, called it "FRESH INSTALL". 17GB image file created, the compression is way better than windows backup image, where there is no compression.

Then I used the monthly scheduler to create new image backs up of my system. I have a 1TB backup drive. You need some thing larger than one of those flash drives.

I recently got a virus, that was messing with my Firefox and so I just used the last image that was created.

The application is AWESOME, if like in my case I needed to reinstall, you boot into from the rescue recovery CD that you make when you first install the application.

You choose which image you want to backup to and then which partition you want to replace that image with. The whole process of installing the image in case of a virus or whatever reason took only15 minutes to restore to that image.

Then it boots up like normal and you are all set. I absolutely love the application and feel I need to donate some money to the developer just because it's so worth it! Give it a shot, no more reinstalling for me, just backup whenever needed.

Take Care and Happy Imaging!


Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

 

[prospero]

FYI: The saga continued. I started to lose more and more functionality and was concerned that I might have picked up some malware along the way.
I was intending to run a virus check along with Spybot S&D and A-Squared but eventually I couldn't boot into Windows at all.
I have an Ultimate Boot CD which I downloaded years ago and reformatted the C: drive (took hours - its a 1TB monster).
I then tried to reinstall 7 but got errors to the effect that I had insufficient disk space.

Plan B. I installed XP SP-3, (another format), and then managed to re-install 7 over that.
Thank goodness I'm a backup junky; little data was lost.

The whole enterprise took 16 hours, including re-installing all my software including Office 2007 and the 2010 upgrade.

But now everything seems to be back on track and I have backups in two remote locations.
The malware utilities report nothing untoward.

So I haven't solved the problem but at least I have a system back.

Thanks to all for your advice and encouragement.

 

[gregrocker]

Your HD needed to be cleaned (written with zeros) if there was an infection, using DISKPART from WIn7 DVD or free Partition Wizard bootable CD. A long format using old Ultimate Boot CD may not have done this. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

I would test the HD using maker's full diagnostics/repair CD scan: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp. Also run chkdsk /r from booted Win7 DVD Command line (press Shift F10 at first screen) tho that might have already been run during XP-style long format.

Suggest you install the expert's choice Microsoft Security Essentials and run a full scan after it updates.