Making Image of Drive

laffs83 · 17 Mar 2010 at 15:59

Can i create an image of my current c: (approx 32gb/64gb) on to a another disk (d: ) that is already in use (63gb/120gb) without erasing the data already on it?

If so, can i then copy it back on to the c: after i have upgraded the firmware, and be left in exactly the same situation data wise as i am now?

anything I don't mind · 17 Mar 2010 at 16:37

yes i recommend acronis true image but you can use norton ghost as well.

they way it works with the c: drive (the drive your OS is running off) is you set the options in the program and the drive etc, then it will restart you computer and before it loads windows will load the image software and make the image, then load your windows normally.

the problem you will run into is imaging the same drive. unless you make a boot disk of some kind (often available from within the software) you will need a working windows to image the drive and if you have just wiped it you are stuffed.

so make sure you make a boot disk or you can image another drive

laffs83 · 17 Mar 2010 at 17:53

thanks for the reply. can i clarify one thing?

Once i am in the position where i have an image of c: saved on d:, and c: has been flashed, and is now empty, i will have no OS installed. If i have a boot disk, can i run this and copy the image from d: back on to c: without going in to Windows?

Audigex · 17 Mar 2010 at 19:09

Could you not just use a Linux LiveCD?

laffs83 · 18 Mar 2010 at 08:55

i dont know what that is

laffs83 · 18 Mar 2010 at 09:10

ok ive had a look at Linux Live Cd and understand what that can do, but another question...

If i have Acronis true image installed on the D: using windows 7, will I be able to open it from a Live CD to reinstate the contents of c:?

Admiral Huddy · 18 Mar 2010 at 09:13

Stupid question but why don't you use Windows 7 backup utility? Comes with an excellent image creation tool which at the end asks if you want to create an emergency recovery disk. Simple and no need for third party products.

laffs83 · 18 Mar 2010 at 09:15

i didnt know it had one! I'll check it out. thanks

laffs83 · 18 Mar 2010 at 09:18

OK yes that looks much easier. And i can use the w7 cd to restore it afterwards. Now its fingers crossed it all works. Thanks for your help

Admiral Huddy · 18 Mar 2010 at 15:03

It does - wonderfully

CooK1E · 18 Mar 2010 at 15:09

The windows backup is actually pretty good and great if you aren't very knowledgeable when it comes to hardware. I'd probably choose acronis true image over Ghost if I had to however