Vista - Backup Image Creation

Hi,

I hope this is in the correct section - apologies if it isn't.

I have a new PC with Vista Home Premium x64 and I would like to make reinstallation or recovery disks. The machine has a program to create recovery disks but that fails each time - the DVD writer is working OK as I have made a few other disks. I should really return it I suppose but I would rather avoid the hassle - the PC itself is working fine and I have moved my stuff over from my old machine.

From reading the tutorials here I understand I can't make a complete backup image as its not the Ultimate/Business version.

Therefore does anyone have a suggestion for a backup and recovery tool ? I am downloading the x64 recovery CD image as I tap - the one which works with the OEM partition but I wondered about a complete "wipe" tool.

Ghost seems an obvious one but from reading posts elsewhere some people have had problems with Vista 64. I have downloaded the free version of HDclone but that doesn't support the disk type - I need the pro edition for that.

To get going I have made a complete drive image with CloneZilla to an external USB drive but obviously I will only get to test this when it all goes mamaries skyward, has anyone restored from this ?

Hi Morph,

There is a program - the free version of which is excellent and may be what you want.

You can create compressed images of your partition/ drive and store it on another partition or even recordable dvd's.

The program can make a small version of itself on a bootable cd.

If you need to restore that way, boot in from the cd - it loads itself into memory - remove the cd and put in your dvd containing the image - the program will restore it to the drive.

You may want to make another image every now and again so it's not out of date - the program even lets you schedule that if you want.

It's very small and fast - best of all the free one will probably be all you need.




It's called Macrium Reflect and you can get it from here

Macrium Reflect Free Edition 4.2 build 2033 - Downloads - ZDNet Australia


The installer has both 32 and 64 bit versions and will automatically install the correct one .

Hope it helps

SIW2

ghost works fine in vista 64

if you have the oem hidden partition i wouldn't wipe it

cheers brad

dont wipe it like chinga69 says:

if you have an hp they might have an update on their recovery disc program...
create recovery discs
thats the best of both worlds....

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies - I'll give Macrium a try.

Its a Packard Bell (I can hear the groans already). My old machine went phut just before Christmas and this seemed the best/cheapest replacement.

Cheers