Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

mjf · 27 Aug 2011

I wish I had a spare empty HDD lying around to try this new Easeus software for complete replacement HDD recovery. If anyone tries it then it's worth a quick post.

SIW2 · 27 Aug 2011

Haven't tried that - but have done o/s partition backup and restore.

Restored to a smaller partition - very fast.

It worked extremely well.

DBone · 09 Sep 2011

Hi Brink and all,

I have been saving my W7 system images to DVDs, but I want to start saving them to an external hard drive. I have never used an external hard drive before for any reason, so that might explain if my questions seem basic!

1) When I connect my new external drive to my USB port, will the system image tool recognize that, and if not, what do I need to do?
2) The BestBuy guy told me that I will need to "format my new external drive" before use. What, and how do I format my new drive to accept the W7 system image?
3) Lastly, do I keep multiple images on this new external drive, or do I overwrite the existing one each time? Will the W7 image tool ask me those questions when making a new image, or not?

Thanks in advance for any help! I read through most of the 45 pages, but didn't find my exact answers. If you could be specific on your answers and include any steps that some might think are basic, I would greatly appreciate it!!

whs · 09 Sep 2011

1. Usually yes. Nowadays the drives come formatted. Just check that it is NTFS and not Fat32.
2. See above. But if you need to format, just right click on it in Computer. You'll see.
3. You can use win7 imaging, but I think that is not such a good idea. Use Paragon or Macrium instead (the free versions). They will put as many images on your external as you like. No need to rename or jump thru other hops.

Once you get to it and have chosen an imaging program, we will be glad to answer specific questions. Here is a video tutorial I made for starters: Imaging with free Macrium

mjf · 09 Sep 2011

1) Yes
2) Make it NTFS (probably will be already). Otherwise use Windows "Disk Management" there's a tutorial on it.
3) For Windows imaging you get a folder [WindowsImageBackup]. Windows will be this exact name when looking for or making images. To make another image simply rename the folder to anything else you like eg. [WindowsImageBackup_8_10_11] then go ahead and make another [WindowsImageBackup]. To use the old image rename it back to [WindowsImageBackup].

Other good free products to try are free Macrium Reflect and EaseUs Todo V3.

You can keep different images from different vendors on the same HDD.
I suggest you give them all a try and see what suites you. You can also easily "mount" the made images and look around them.

DBone · 09 Sep 2011

Cool, thanks guys! I have the new drive sitting next to me and will give it a try this weekend. I'm going to use the on-board W7 tool first, and once I get comfortable with it, I'll look into the other programs you suggested.

whs · 09 Sep 2011

Remember, taking an image is easy. Recovering with an image is another story. That is why you always have to test whether the recovery really works.

DBone · 09 Sep 2011

How would I test it without overriding my current setup?

Brink · 09 Sep 2011

Hello Darryl,

If you had an extra HDD, you could unplug your current Windows 7 HDD, and test to see if you could do the system image recovery to the extra HDD.

mjf · 09 Sep 2011

Brink said:

Hello Darryl,

If you had an extra HDD, you could unplug your current Windows 7 HDD, and test to see if you could do the system image recovery to the extra HDD.

I think doing this is a great idea. Not only can you test out your imaging software options with an acid test, you know how to make a new HDD when your old one eventually dies.