System restoration after a crash

[AutumnBreeze]

Thankfully, my system hasn't crashed yet. I am just trying to plan ahead and prepare.

First, a little background. My system is installed on a separate hard drive, which doesn't store any data. I use AOMEI Backupper Standard (the free version) to back up my data files and to create a system image. Both are stored on an external hard drive.

What do I need to have to be able to restore my Windows 7 if it crashes completely (due to a disk failure, a virus, or something else)? That is, if the computer doesn't boot at all?

I have created a System Repair Disk on a CD using the corresponding Windows utility. Will it be sufficient / reliable in case of a crash or do I need anything else / better?

Also, will this repair disk be compatible with the system image created with AOMEI?.

Anything else I need to know or do?

Thank you for your help in advance!

 

[SIW2]

Use the Aomei create boot media function. That will create boot media which includes Aomei.

I have created a System Repair Disk on a CD using the corresponding Windows utility.

The regular "system repair disc" does not include aomei.

Alternatively, you can borrow my advanced boot media which also includes aomei
17514x64v22.iso

The iso is best extracted to create bootable usb, using something like View attachment Usb7ice.zip

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Use the Aomei create boot media function. That will create boot media which includes Aomei.



The regular "system repair disc" does not include aomei.

Alternatively, you can borrow my advanced boot media which also includes aomei
17514x64v22.iso

The iso is best extracted to create bootable usb, using something like View attachment 412251

I have never restored Windows after a complete crash. i don't know how it works.

I thought I would be able to start the computer using the bootable repair disk created with the Windows utility and then restore the system via AOMEI. Will this not work?

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Use the Aomei create boot media function. That will create boot media which includes Aomei.

SIW2, thank you

I have figured out how to create boot media with AOMEI.

However, I need to choose whether to create a legacy or UEFI bootable disk but can't find which boot mode is used on my laptop.

 

[torchwood]

here you go

Hard Drive - GPT or MBR


roy

 

[AutumnBreeze]

here you go

Hard Drive - GPT or MBR


roy

Thank you, Roy

So, my system disk is MBR. What does it tell me about the boot mode?

 

[torchwood]

Hi

actually im rather surprised its MBR
my earlier hp8470p is Eufi, but thats besides the point.

if it works in the same way as Macrium it will create the new boot option automatically as soon as you insert the back-up media


Roy

 

[AutumnBreeze]

Hi

if it works in the same way as Macrium it will create the new boot option automatically as soon as you insert the back-up media


Roy

With AOMEI, I have to actually select the correct option.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

So, I did some googling to try to understand this, and it looks like since I have an MBR system drive, I need to create a legacy bootable disc. Is this correct?

 

[SIW2]

The efi boot media will also boot under bios mode. You can use it for both. But the legacy version will not boot under efi.

If you tick the download box (as in your screenshot) then it will download about 400mb of stuff which it uses to create the media.

If you don't tick that box, it will use the recovery environment that is already on your pc ( assuming it is available).

If that box was ticked by default, it probably can't find the recovery environment on your pc. Most likely because your recovery sequence is broken.


You can borrow mine which has a lot of extra features

17514x64v22.iso

 

[AutumnBreeze]

You can borrow mine which has a lot of extra features

17514x64v22.iso

Thank you SIW2

If I use your boot media, does it matter if my system might be in some ways slightly different to yours?

Also, what size USB do I need to create the boot media?

 

[Snick]

AutumnBreeze

I've used SIW2s boot media and have it on USB. The ISO is only 552mb, thefore, a small USB is sufficeint! Mine is on 8GB USB and lots of room left. It will run on most any system.

There are drivers and a driver search program included & it connects via Ethernet to the Internet too! Great Tool!!!!

I used RUFUS to install on USB.

Hope this helps!

 

[SIW2]

If I use your boot media, does it matter if my system might be in some ways slightly different to yours?

No.

Also, what size USB do I need to create the boot media?

The iso contents are under 600mb.

 

[Snick]

No.


The iso contents are under 600mb.

 

[AutumnBreeze]

AutumnBreeze

I've used SIW2s boot media and have it on USB. The ISO is only 552mb, thefore, a small USB is sufficeint! Mine is on 8GB USB and lots of room left. It will run on most any system.

There are drivers and a driver search program included & it connects via Ethernet to the Internet too! Great Tool!!!!

I used RUFUS to install on USB.

Hope this helps!

Thank you. I couldn't figure out how to use RUFUS, so used Usb7ice instead ))

 

[AutumnBreeze]

The efi boot media will also boot under bios mode. You can use it for both. But the legacy version will not boot under efi.

If you tick the download box (as in your screenshot) then it will download about 400mb of stuff which it uses to create the media.

If you don't tick that box, it will use the recovery environment that is already on your pc ( assuming it is available).

If that box was ticked by default, it probably can't find the recovery environment on your pc. Most likely because your recovery sequence is broken.


You can borrow mine which has a lot of extra features

17514x64v22.iso

Thank you very much.

I want to make sure I did everything right. Does this look OK? Is FAT32 format OK or do I need to change it?

How do I make sure I did everything correct and have a working boot media? Should I just try to boot from it and see if it works?

 

[SIW2]

Is FAT32 format OK

Yes, just use the default settings.

Should I just try to boot from it and see if it works?

Yes, obviously.

 

[Snick]

AutumnBreeze

Googled how to use RUFUS!

How To - Use Rufus to Create Bootable Installation Media ...

 

[AutumnBreeze]

AutumnBreeze

Googled how to use RUFUS!

How To - Use Rufus to Create Bootable Installation Media ...

Thank you

 

[AutumnBreeze]

So the boot media is fine and I am able to boot from it. I realised, however, that I don't know how to use most of the stuff on there, apart from Backupper.

And another question, even though it might be silly. I can see I am connected to the Internet after booting from the recovery USB; but how can I browse the Internet if there's no browser? Would I be able to install a browser (e.g. Chrome) if I keep a setup copy somewhere? The reason I might need to browse the Internet is if I need to find help / instructions for restoring the system. I only have access to one computer, and the smartphone's screen is too small and difficult to use for searching and browsing.