Re: Imageing/backup

by Guest 20/6/2010, 14:08

I think you can make a BartPE cd with Drive Snapshot on it
mentioned on this page
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20936097-Macrium-Drive-Snapshot-DriveImageXML-Paragon

Ruhe wrote:How to restore Drive Snapshot images if you can't start Windows anymore?
Do you really go with the outdated and user unfriendly DOS boot process, the NTFS difficulty and with maybe missing support of drives accessed via AHCI?

Using Macrium or TrueImage you have or can create a state-of-the-art boot medium.

by **Ruhe** 21/6/2010, 02:42

I will try to build a boot medium with "Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7" (by Microsoft) and include Drive Snapshot.

If it works I will write a how-to and offer it for download.

by **ssj100** 21/6/2010, 06:25

Ruhe wrote:I will try to build a boot medium with "Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7" (by Microsoft) and include Drive Snapshot.

If it works I will write a how-to and offer it for download.

Sounds good Ruhe.

by **Ruhe** 21/6/2010, 12:05

Damn, really forgot this: Windows 7 already includes a full backup image component, no need for Macrium, Acronis and so on.
It's called wbadmin, and there is a GUI - already included in Windows - for image creation too. The cool with it, you can even boot into this images later.

Read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHD_%28file_format%29

An example to create an image in batch mode:

Code:: wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -allCritical -vssCopy -quiet

Done.

by **ssj100** 21/6/2010, 12:13

Wow thanks Ruhe. I knew Windows 7 included an image back-up component, but didn't realise it was as efficient as third party ones (eg. Drive SnapShot).

Anyway, good on you for promoting the "built-in" programs of the OS! I'm looking forward to using Windows 7 on my REAL system more and more.

If you get time, could you describe for us (maybe with some screenshots) the configurability and power of Windows 7's image back-up component? Cheers.

by **Ruhe** 21/6/2010, 12:47

Ruhe wrote:The cool with it, you can even boot into this images later.

Adding an existing VHD to the Windows 7 boot loader

How Do I: Windows 7 VHD Boot Demonstration?
Walkthrough: Deploy a Virtual Hard Disk for Native Boot

by **ssj100** 21/6/2010, 13:10

Thanks Ruhe. By the way, I think you might have missed my question earlier (as I edited it in):

ssj100 wrote:EDIT: by the way Ruhe, can you do image back-ups with Macrium Reflect while continuing work on the same system?

Also, can you do this with Windows 7's image back-up component? Furthermore, can Macrium Reflect or Windows 7's image back-up component load images (eg. from an external hard-drive) on to a partition that you are currently running Windows on?

by **Ruhe** 21/6/2010, 14:52

You can create images with Drive Snapshot and wbadmin while working with the system. Both make use of VSS.

Macrium says

Disk image can be created whilst Windows is in use. A special driver ensures that the disk image represents an exact point in time and will not be affected by disk access that may occur during the backup process.

ssj100 wrote:Furthermore, can Macrium Reflect or Windows 7's image back-up component load images (eg. from an external hard-drive) on to a partition that you are currently running Windows on?

Don't know. I only restore images offline.

by **Ruhe** 25/6/2010, 00:01

After this stupidity I had to restore an image created by wbadmin. Luck, I had one (unfortunately two days old). After booting with the Windows 7 rescue CD it was easy and without any problems to restore the hidden Windows partition + system partition. Later I had to re-do the things of the last two days I could remember (Windows & Total Commander & SBIE updates...).

Mad

by **ssj100** 25/6/2010, 02:36

Ruhe wrote:After this stupidity I had to restore an image created by wbadmin. Luck, I had one (unfortunately two days old). After booting with the Windows 7 rescue CD it was easy and without any problems to restore the hidden Windows partition + system partition. Later I had to re-do the things of the last two days I could remember (Windows & Total Commander & SBIE updates...).

What happened to creating images every day? And why don't you experiment with new applications in a VM?

by **Ruhe** 25/6/2010, 02:37

ssj100 wrote:What happened to creating images every day?

Shut up!

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