I have Macrium. I haven't done the BartPE. My impression is you need a BartPE setup that enables you to create a custom rescue CD. If you want one that works out of the box, try the Linux Rescue CD. It comes up to a graphical point and shoot restore program so there's no need to know anything about Linux. I have a Raid controller on my HP desktop and it still works with that where some other restore programs didn't.

Hallo nichos, As MilesAhead stated i think the Linux ubuntu is probably the best option it is only about 7mb file.
I use Macrium on all my machines. I havnt had to use it with Vista but i have successfully restored Windows Seven once & Windows XP three times each time without any problems during the restore or afterwards, i cant fault it.

Each time i just insert the CD and restart my computer & it will take you to the Recovery options.

One of our members kindly put together a small tutorial for Vista Forums & Seven Forums. I have attached links that you can click on & they will take you to them.

I think these Tutorials will best answer your questions

The one at Seven Forums has a lot of feedback that you may find of interest. I hope this is of some help;

Image your system with free Macrium

Image your system with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

Thanx both,

managed to do the Barte one but was very complecated for me.

I thought the Linux would not do on XP installations. Will try it on my spare HD. .........nick

I'm not sure what you're saying. Does the rescue CD not boot? How are you trying to run it?

The Rescu CDs boot oK.

After the BartPE or Linux restore finishes restoring to a clean HD, the CD ejects & I reboot. ending with a black screen & "GRUB Loading Stage1.5." & hungs there.

nick

Could it be the "clean HD" is less capacity than the device you made the image from? Macrium is not meant as a drive cloner. Some image backups will work that way and some won't. You should try to sign up for their support forum:

Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging and Backup - Support

If they won't let you sign up without a paid version search and see if the problem has already been answered. I know I've seen feature request to restore to a smaller drive than the image source drive and it was answered something to the effect that wasn't "true image backup" or something. But look there for the info.