Need help creating RESTORE CD's

[edrod13]

Found a sweet deal on CL's for a Dell E1705, because it had a broken DC jack. $4 and an hour later, I got the laptop up and running. I Mainly got this laptop for my kids to watch a movie or surf the web and so that they stay off my desktop.

Anyhow, I just reloaded XP and a few basic programs that they will be using. I am interested in creating an image on CD so that I can restore the OS in case something goes wrong. I can easily reload XP and such but thought this would be easier and faster. I know ATI is highly reccommended here but unfortunatley I do not own it and the installed drive is a HITACHI so getting free software from the manufacturer is not possible. Are there any other alternatives to ATI and will it allow me to create the image on a CD? I currently have a 100GB drive installed and have left the entire drive as one partition. If it will make the process easier, I could relaod XP on a smaller partition and then use the remainder as just storage. I have searched the forum but I haven't quite found what I am looking for. TIA

[glc]

You are going to need more than a CD - you *might* be able to fit it on a single DVD.

DriveImage XML Backup Software - Data Recovery Product

You will have to create the image on an external hard drive first before you can burn a DVD.

[edrod13]

GLC,
Been at the site reading some of the How To's. So I need to create a BPE disk so that I can boot from. There are also two different types of image builders, getdataback or diskexplorer? If your experience with this app is limited, I totally understand but is there an advantage to using one over the other?

[glc]

Never used it - I've just heard about it. I use Acronis.

Pry your wallet open just a little bit -

Acronis True Image Home 2010 - Disc Direct

Free shipping, no tax. So what if it's 2 years old? You are using a 10 year old OS!

[edrod13]

Cant beat the price, thats for sure. Ever dealt with this company? Kind of hesitant of online purchase if its not like Newegg or other common places.

On another note, would you recommend that I trim down the boot partition? I think I could get away with like a 10GB boot drive and use the remaining 80GB for storage. Or will it not make a difference when creating the image? Thanks

[glc]

It makes little difference when creating the image, just leave it as a single partition, the drive isn't all that big.

I image my systems to a USB external hard drive. I'd recommend you do that first, using the custom options to split the image up in CD or DVD size, then burn it. I simply leave the images on the external in case I have to use them, and I don't split them.

Never dealt with that company, I found it with Google Shopping. If you are too leery, Amazon.com has the same thing for $14.95 with free saver shipping if you buy over $25. For 5 bucks, I'd take a chance. I checked, and their cart is on a secure server.

[edrod13]

ok cool. Thanks for doing the leg work. Another quick question. Obviously I have to install the acronis software, so that will also be part of the image. I am really trying to get the image one 1 DVD if at all possible so I am trying to keep the OS as small as possible. Can I run Acronis from the CD without installing it on my machine to create the image? Worst case I have plenty of spare drives laying around that I can just keep the image on.

[David M]

Yes, you can load Acronis or use it as a boot disk to run the software or both. For some things like cloning it is better to use the boot disk option.

In fact a really easy way to create a backup is to use one of your spare drives to make a clone of the drive that you are using now.

[glc]

If the Acronis package comes on a CD/DVD, it's bootable and imaging can be done with it without having to install it. If it's a download, you have to install it, then create a rescue CD, then you can uninstall it and boot with the rescue CD.

However, Acronis comes with a very comprehensive manual - I think there is a way to create a "recovery" CD or DVD set that's bootable, and it can actually be multiple disks.

Give this a try:

http://download2.acronis.com/u/pdf/A...uide_en-US.pdf

[edrod13]

Thanks for the manual, quite an interesting read. I think for the time being I'm just going to use spare drives since I have plenty. I am hoping someone can answer this question for me.

I currently have a 60GB drive installed and have the OS just the way I want it. I am going to create a sector by sector approach image and save it to an external drive. In order to test the image, I have another 2.5" drive but it's a 40GB. Would it be possible to pop in that drive and copy the image to that one even though it's smaller? I then could just swap drives if needed and then I would still have the original image on the external drive.

[glc]

Yes, as long as there's sufficient space for the restore.

If you have a spare drive, why not just clone it instead of imaging it? That would make a direct swap quick and easy. As long as there's room for it, it will clone to a smaller drive.

What brand is the 40gb? If it's a Seagate or WD, you can use the free Acronis.

[edrod13]

I guess I could just clone it but the 40GB is a 4200 RPM where the 60GB is a 7200 RPM drive and it makes a huge difference. I just thought that I could use the image to test the process so that I'm sure it will work when the time comes to re-image. I'm going to give it a shot tonight and I'll let you know what happens. Too bad there not identical drives because I could just switch them out when needed.

Oh it's a seagate so that's how I was able to use the free acronis.

[glc]

If something happens, just clone the clone back.......

[edrod13]

Just wanted to post an update. I connected the 4200RPM drive via a USB adpater and was able to clone the installed drive to this one. It did take two hours but it finished succesfully and I now have two working drives that can be used with the laptop. As you stated GLC, I can always clone back the clone in order to use the 7200RPM drive. Good stuff