Solved Win 7 backup strategy

[keithr]

Some help for a newbie please...

Is there any downside to consider when pre partitioning your HDD to prevent the formation of the 200MB system partition?

I was considering doing this on a new pc build so that my backup strategy would only need the C: drive image to restore to a new HDD in one hit (worst case scenario!) ie not having to restore the system partition also.

I was thinking of partitioning my HDD to C: (Win7 and progs) and D: (data), and using DriveImageXML to image the C: drive. I prefer DriveImage as it allows the choice of backup location on the external USB drive - handy when you back up more than 1 pc.

My D: drive would be separately backed up using Microsoft Backup.

Does this strategy have any holes in it? Would be good to know your thoughts before I set off.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

Use free Partition Wizard bootable CD
to create the Partitions.

If this is an imaging program you've relied on in the past with good results then fine, but the ones recommended here are Win7 backup imaging, free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 11 Backup, or even better if you have WD or Seagate HD's in the mix use the their free Acronis premium cloning/imaging programs.

 

[kado897]

I would support gregrockers choices over windows backup. I don't know the one you mention but I have had success with Macrium and you can place your backups anywhere with that. The only caveat I would add is to make sure that the recovery CD can access your external drives.

 

[theog]

I would recommend Windows 7 imaging.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
I personally always use Norton Ghost v15 aswell, as I image twice.

 

[keithr]

ok thanks folks for prompt replies. Will take a look at Macrium for imaging. So I take it that putting the 200MB system partition effectively in the root of C: should have no adverse effect for a basic user like myself.

Cheers

 

[whs]

Here are a couple of tutorials that may help:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/128494-imaging-strategies.html

 

[keithr]

Thanks for the helpful links WHS

 

[whs]

No problem, any time. If you have Q's, post them here.

 

[keithr]

Havent got my new PC bits yet, but made a start with the progs recommended. Have got a Partition Wizard boot CD produced, and Macrium Reflect installed on my XP machine.

First snag is that having built a BartPE boot CD with Macruium on it, I tried it out on said XP machine and Macrium loads up ok, but when I tried out the WinPE explorer function, it does not show my HDD. All I can see is RAMDISK(B):, Floppy, and my CD drives (one with the rescue disk in it).

Got a feeling something not quite right here!

ps just tried to boot my Win7 64 bit laptop with it, and it wont boot. Says a problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down.....

 

[whs]

1. In lieu of the BartPE CD try the Linux CD. That always worked for me.
2. No idea regarding the boot problem. Would need more info.

 

[keithr]

I think I may have misled you gregrocker...

The Win7 laptop is an existing up and running machine. My new Win7 bits have not arrived yet, so I was messing about with what I have (32bit XP desktop, 64bit Win7 laptop) to produce a rescue boot cd to run Macrium from.

Just tried UBCD4Win CD which is also Bart PE based and that runs fine on my XP desktop - only problem is it doesnt have Macrium. I have a feeling that the reason my BartPE with Macrium boot CD wont see my XP HDD is to do with drivers, but not sure how to fix that.

I was hoping to make exclusive use of Macrium in place of DriveImageXML, but so far though it boots up my XP desktop, it cant see the HDD.

I am assuming that I can produce a boot cd on my 32 bitXP machine that will work on any other machine? It wont even boot up on my Win7 64bit laptop.

Hope this explains my problems a bit better.

 

[gregrocker]

You can make a Linux-based boot CD using Macrium's Installed version. It should work on any bit-rate version since it boots via BIOS and not the extant OS.

 

[keithr]

ok just made the linux version. Looks good on my xp desktop, but my win7 laptop ignores it and boots normally.

Time for a beer....

Will try making a linux disk on the laptop tomorrow to see if that will run

Thanks for your help.

 

[gregrocker]

Use ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD - Boot to CD

Or use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen to trigger CD drive.

Are you getting prompt to "Press any key to boot CD?"

 

[kado897]

HP laptops usually use the Esc key to interrupt the boot. From there you can select the boot menu (F9).

 

[whs]

Dumb question: Is your optical drive number 1 in the BIOS boot sequence? Check as kado suggested.

 

[mjf]

ok just made the linux version. Looks good on my xp desktop, but my win7 laptop ignores it and boots normally.

Time for a beer....

Will try making a linux disk on the laptop tomorrow to see if that will run

Thanks for your help.

Why do you require one Macrium boot disk for the 2 separate OSs on 2 different PCs? Just make two.
Macrium linux boot CDs can have problems with Sandy Bridge processors so it may not work on a new PC (doesn't on my new build).

Hirens boot CD provides an inbuilt Macrium pe capability as well as a vast array of tools.

I would use 2 imaging programs in case one lets you down. In addition to Macrium, I have used Windows 7 imaging on 2 PCs and it has never let me down.

 

[keithr]

Well, this has been quite a learning curve for me. Yes my PC's are both set to boot from CD. - thanks to all for your input.

I get the impression with these boot CD's that there is always a possibility they might not work with a particular hardware configuration. Perhaps someone could explain why this is.

Anyway, just burned myself a Hirens v14 CD, and it boots fine on both my existing machines, so am happy with that and ready to put together my new PC

 

[kado897]

I've found the the WinPE based boot CDs are the most reliable and if created on the same machine generally pick up the needed drivers. I've always suffered from a somewhat dodgy internal CD/DVD drive so I find it better to create a bootable USB. I use YUMI to do that. It will load Hirens for you and a lot of other utilities. YUMI - Multiboot USB Creator (Windows) | USB Pen Drive Linux

 

[whs]

Keith, that YUMI look interesting. I have to try it out. Much easier to lug a 16GB stick than a bunch of CDs. Thanks for posting it.