You'd be a damned fool not to use drive imaging software

[c627627]

I've been reading experienced members' posts here about how Windows Update messed up their system and they had to reinstall Windows from scratch. Having used drive imaging for years, it's nothing short of amazing to realize that only a hand full of people think this is a good idea.

Thinking how many *24-hour days* of time it saved me in the past two years alone, I would pay as much as the entire value of my computer system for it if I had to.


Powerquest Drive Image 2002 (nicer interface) or Norton Ghost are the single most important pieces of software. They use a start up floppy to backup your entire hard drive to multiple CDRs or as large files on another drive partition. This is particularly useful if you partition your hard drive (Powerquest Partition Magic is excellent for this) first, then install your operating system onto C drive and then all large Apps on other drives. You than backup the C drive which contains Windows (+maybe a few other small programs).

When (it will be when, not if) Windows breaks down or starts giving you errors, you replace your C drive with backed up version of it, and things are just as they used to be when you backed them up first. I also keep a txt file where I write changes and tweaks I made to the original installation, that way, when I reinstall from backup, I make those changes, than save on CDR's again and so on every few months.

Originally, it took me days to reinstall Windows and get things back the way I like them. It now takes minutes with the help of Drive Image 2002 or Norton Ghost. Just make sure you change location of Favorites, Desktop and Start Menu, (CUT and PASTE from C:\Windows will do) since they require more frequent backup, so if you have them on another drive, restoring C drive would not replace them. (+ Remember not to keep any documents on C drive.)

Every setting in every application is just the way you first set it. (Every menu size, every font size, every icon.) Registry backup is no substitute for organized quick C Drive backup/restore.

I defragment my drives and use ScanDisk but nothing makes my PC go faster than restoring a backup made just after I first setup things the way I prefer...

[Gautam]

That's good advice. I'm sure we've all been there. I sure have..:(

[thalzaar24]

Imaging is definately a good way to keep your back ups. Now, having said that, i haven't used the software or done much backups to my system at all.

I originally bought a Sony Vaio for school work about 2 years ago. Recently i replaced the Processor, added a new graphics card, swapped cases and installed/un-installed tons of software, and even tweaked windows. So far, i haven't re-installed in 2 years and it still runnin great.

I just think with proper system upkeep you can keep your system healthy and running just fine for a long time. I defrag at least once or twice a week. Run ad/spyware removers. system clean up utilities. registry cleaners and defraggers at least once a month if not more often.

I even tried to nuke IE off my Win XP system and it didn't go so well. LOL but luckily i saved a registry setting before i did it and it's back to normal :D

However, i feel i'm pretty lucky and most people won't get that sorta good load. Imaging is pretty handy tool and i think it's overlooked, unless you like to install tons of software all day :)

[Quest For Speed]

After doing a install of windows making a disk image is the very next thing I do. I have lost count how many times I corrupted my OS from pushing my OC too far. System restore is nice but does not always repair the problem. Cloning your drive, or at least doing a ASR for XP should be considered a must do task.

[altec]

Definatley a good piece of advice...I have been there a few times, but thanks to my drive image software I will never have to go back. ;)

[Graphic67]

Even if I don't keep current on my Norton Ghost images, I ALWAYS make a new image just before a major update like the recent SP4 for windows 2000 (also took that oportunity to upgrade windows media 7 to 9 and Netscape 7.0 to 7.1).

I also use it anytime I want to make a change in my hard drive arrangement, just save the images, rearrange my drives and then load the images back into the desired new disks or partitions.

[sangram]

Soltek used to ship Drive image (4.0, old version) with their mobos as a bundle.

The only time I had to reinstall was when doing any major changes from BIOS - enabling USB, or changing Power managemnts setup. Twice in two years.

A godsend. Still works for me (have to force compatibility mode in XP, but works fine, the new versions are too pricey for me) and is the best piece of software I have had the pleasure of using.

Once when installing 20 identical machines for a client, guuess what we used? Drive Image. One image, restored across 20 machines of the same config, and no further action required for reinstallation. Sweeteness.

[Stedeman]

I have ghost but never seem to use it (I do want to make one with my needed stuff and settings). I kind of like a clean install (gets rid of all those little programs and reg entris you don't need any more) and 99% of my data is on one of my USB drives

[dropadrop]

I have such a good routine in re-installing windows that I don't consider it to be a hassle! :D

[c627627]

:eek:

You're up against 3GB worth of Windows + small apps + hours worth of specific program settings and looks being reinstalled in 1 minute and 52 seconds (for me) with Powerquest Drive Image.

It's faster to do that than to diagnose and solve even the remotest Windows problem let alone do a full Windows reinstall good routine or not. Heh.

[Caffinehog]

Well, I can tell you that the next time I do a format, I'm going to install Windows XP and Office right away, then do an image. This will let me do a clean install without having to convince microsoft that I actually DID change six components in my PC.:mad:

[IR1]

What I like to do... is before every reformat of my main drive. I use Maxblast from maxtor, easy and free program in a boot disk or CD and I clone my main drive to my backup drive. My backup drive is always just that an exact copy of my last hard drive before the format. And it always has room for any other storage. Like I keep a bunch of images of my game CD's, instead of using cracks, on my backup drive which is on one of my sata ports. So I use Alcohol to mount the images from the backup drive. So load times are faster and such because its reading of a hd from a different ide.

But the imaging software would make it easier to do formats and reinstalls. I will have to look into this... Good advice.

[TheMightyBuck]

sweet.... what does this have to do with amd cpu's?

[dropadrop]

I don't have that much software installed..

[IR1]

sweet.... what does this have to do with amd cpu's?


My thoughts exactly...

But still a good post.

[nitewulf]

I use window xp's automated system recovery. same deal, just back up everything to a different partition and if something gets messed up I can load everything back to normal from the backup.

[brennan77]

Great post. In fact, you've inspired me to reinstall this Thursday when I get my cable internet connection. I'll partition my drive, and use Ghost to accomplish the backup with my vital programs. Great advise.

[bk94si]

I clone mine once a week with Ghost. It has saved my bacon more than once.

[joikd]

I'm a little whacko about imaging:

1. Clean Windows install, set swap file to zero (saves space), defrag, make an image

2. Do all tweaks, defrag, make an image

3. Install chipset drivers, defrag, make an image

4. Install latest DirectX, defrag, make an image

5. Install latest video drivers, defrag, make an image

6. Install programs, defrag

The only real time consuming steps are 1 and 2, but I like to be able to choose where to restore an image from when new drivers come out.

I've never used Ghost. I use Drive Image from a floppy, and I really like it.

[Arkaine23]

I use a Overclockix CD to do my drive imaging. It's all free software!

http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/ImageYourHardDriveUsingKnoppix

[warlock110]

i got no floppy :), is there a HDD imaging soft that can boot from CD? i can burn the HD image on a DVDR, i'm sure 4.3GB is enough for window and all the software n stuff :) booting from a DVDRW or DVDR will be best, i've never used drive imaging software before, so i'm pretty clueless.

[c627627]

Hello. Even though floppy drives are now $5 at most local corner computer stores, you don't have to use floppies, just start the program from within Windows to save Drive Image files to either another partition or directly to CDs. Drive Image 2002 can do this + when it makes the backup CDs, it makes them automatically bootable: the CDs boot up with the Drive Image program which runs directly from those backup CDs since the program only takes 1.5 MBs of space or so.


This thread is from July 2003, watch out for moderators looking to shut it down because it doesn't discuss AMD CPUs specifically.


Also watch out for people making fun of other people without floppy drives, like this guy here: ( :) j/k )


Originally posted by bad4u

Is it a 'cool factor' thing to build a system without a floppy? Are floppies too retro?

How cool is it when the only method you have to flash your BIOS is via Windows, and your system is unstable? That's an outstanding formula for smoking your BIOS chip!

There are numerous diagnostic programs and utilities that are written to run only from a floppy. Perhaps you won't need them, but you probably will find them useful.

Get a floppy. Hide it when your friends are visiting. Buy one just before store-closing, so no one sees you.


If you already have the Drive Image or partition Magic floppies, you can make a bootable CD out of them since the CD loads faster than a floppy drive. I couldn't find clear instructions on the web on how to do this so I made my own which I can share with you all:


How to make Drive Image 2002 and Partition Magic 8 bootable CD


Simply taking Drive Image 2002 or Partition Magic 8 bootable floppies and making a bootable CD out of them does not work.

The contents of the following three floppy disks will be needed instead:
• Windows 98 installation floppy
• Drive Image 2002 Program floppy
• Partition Magic 8 Program floppy

========

1. Copy the contents of Windows 98 installation floppy into a new folder (name it for example, DIPM).
2. Inside the new folder DIPM, create two new folders (name them for example, DI and PM).
3. Copy the contents of Drive Image 2002 Program floppy into the new DI folder and
Copy the contents of Partition Magic 8 Program floppy into the new PM folder.

4. Then, copy file MOUSE.COM from PM folder to DI folder so that both of them have MOUSE.COM files.

========

Now crate a bootable CD:

1. Put the Windows 98 installation floppy in the floppy drive. [If you have no floppy drive, skip the next set of instructions.]

2. Start Nero Burning Rom (click on Close Wizard if it starts.)
3. On the left side, select CD-ROM Boot (scroll down, 8th from the top.)
4. Click on New (right upper side.)

5. Add all the contents of the folder DIPM created above and Burn the CD.


========

To use the bootable CD,

1. Start the computer with the bootable CD [One way to do that is by selecting the boot order in BIOS.]
2. When you get to DOS prompt [if the CD drive letter is D]:

For Drive Image, type:
D:
Press Enter
CD DI
Press Enter
PQDI
Press Enter

or for Partition Magic, type:
D:
Press Enter
CD PM
Press Enter
PQMAGIC.EXE
Press Enter

========


If you have no floppy drive:

1. Folder containing the contents of the Windows 98 installation floppy should be named for example, 98.

2. Start WinImage program > File > New... > OK
3. Image > Inject... > Select all files in the 98 folder > Open > Yes
4. File Save As... >
where it says File name type for example IMAGE
where it says Save as type, select Image file (*.IMA)
> Save

Exit WinImage and use the newly crated image.IMA file in Nero Burning ROM like this:


5. Start Nero Burning Rom (click on Close Wizard if it starts.)
6. On the left side, select CD-ROM Boot (scroll down, 8th from the top)
7. Click on Boot TAB > under Source of boot image data, select Image file > Browse to image.IMA file and select it.
8. Click on New (right upper side)

9. Add all the contents of the folder DIPM created above and Burn the CD.


========

Drive Image 2002 - Partition Magic 8 Bootable CD

After using this CD to "boot with CD ROM support,"
switch to another drive, for example:

G: [Enter]
cd di [Enter]
pqdi [Enter]

or

G: [Enter]
cd pmi [Enter]
pqmagic [Enter]


Letter for Drive G: may be different, depending on how many hard drives are installed.

[Syx]

Why is this in the AMD CPU forum?..or did you want it to get seen alot?