Backup image to a restore partition??

[ranchhand]

Just curious-has anyone used the restore partition that normally comes from the factory on a laptop (or a desktop) and already has the basic OS image on it as the backup partition for regular image backups? Can it be done? Seems like it could really be convenient, and the hot keys to restore are already in the BIOS. I got my daughter a new HP laptop and after an hour of removing garbage and "buy-me's" off her lappie it was running really fast. Then I thought of my question, now that I have it the way I want it.

[cowboyup910]

This is what I would do....Shrink the volume of your C drive and create a new partition. This partition would be used for backup images. Probably 50GB should be enough depending on how often you want to do a backup.

How to create a partition look here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

After you create the partition, download and install the best program out there for imaging called Macrium Reflect. (Free Edition)

BEFORE you created the image, I would run a virus scan just to be safe and defrag your computer.

Now, run the program and create a Recovery CD, it will prompt you to do so. Store this CD in a safe place.

Next, go ahead and create a system image backup of your C drive, if running Windows 7 and you see something called system reserved about 100MB, just leave this alone and backup the C partition. When you get to screen where it ask you where to save the image, go ahead and save the image to the partition you just create above. The program will then go a head and create an image as you have your computer setup without those programs you do need. This actual imaging backup process should be less than 15 minutes if its a new computer and doesn't have too many programs.

That's it. If you want a video tutorial on how to use the program and how if needed one day to recovery to that image look here.

http://vimeo.com/10448252

Take Care and Happy Imaging!!

[cowboyup910]

If you follow my advice, you now have two solid ways of restoring your computer if something fails. You can do a Macrium Recovery, a process take takes about 15 minutes or use built in Recovery process that comes with your computer. I'm not an expert in OEM recovery options, because I am a system builder and don't have the benefits of a Recovery from a manufacturer.

[johns0]

Doing a system restore from factory partition will give you the exact same windows you got when you first bought the computer.

[cowboyup910]

Doing a system restore from factory partition will give you the exact same windows you got when you first bought the computer.

Yes it does, with all the EXTRA junk, lol. That's why its a good idea to follow my advice above.

[hech54]

This is what I would do....

That has ZERO to do with what he asked....and now the entire thread is polluted with unnecessary and irrelevant information.

[cowboyup910]

Really, I'm sorry. What was he asking?

[johns0]

He was asking if you can have different backup options for restoring windows,long as you have enough hdd space.Not how to backup windows.

[cowboyup910]

Oh like using the free space in the OEM Recovery Partition as a way of storing a system image backup or backup files to the empty space in that partition. Don't know if its a good idea to write to a Recovery partition created by the OEM. It might render it as unusable. But I could be wrong. That's why I suggested creating a new partition that OP could use for more backup options. Either using Windows Backup options or the option I mention.

Please forgive me for giving my advice and misinterpreting the question.

[budz]

Doing a system restore from factory partition will give you the exact same windows you got when you first bought the computer.

....easiest way to restore a laptop by using the factory partition....then just remove the factory crap....

[nic2k4]

First of, can you even write (let alone see) to that factory partition with explorer? All the ones I've seen so far were hidden, I could only see it in Computer Management. They use an invalid partition type number, Acronis uses 188. This causes the OS to be unable to recognise the format (FAT, NTFS...) and treats the partiton as non-existant.

The "Hotkeys" are not in the BIOS, they're part of the program that's loaded in the boot drive MBR; kinda like a boot manager. If you like that convenience get Acronis True Image. You can get it just about anywhere, Staples, BestBuy... Some HD makers even have a free crippled version, as with Macrium you can only make full backups. With the full version you get incremental backups, which is great to save disc space and always have your backup up to date.

Actually, the best solution is to have your base PC backup in the hidden partition and make regular incremental backups to another drive. You should do a virus scan and a spyware scan first, but there's no need to do a defrag. The way those programs work, they actually defrag the files as they copy them. Do a defrag after restoring a partition and you'll see all the files are contiguous and there are no holes.

[ranchhand]

Thanks all, I appreciate the info.

The "Hotkeys" are not in the BIOS, they're part of the program that's loaded in the boot drive MBR

Good info to know, that may prevent me from backing up to the partition. Cowboy's suggestion is a good one that I am already aware of, I just thought that it would be cool to use the existing restore partition (that is junk anyway) since I use an external drive to image. I get this problem all the time from folks that come to me with hopelessly corrupted systems, and if I re-image from the restore partition they lose years of programs and data.

[Seeker47]

I like what nic2k4 had to say on this: it need not be an "either/or"; better to go with "Both/And."

[nic2k4]

You can delete the factory restore partition; start the windows administrative tools, under computer management, disk drive. You should see the partition with no drive letter and should be at the end, just delete it and re-create it. Now it will have a letter and you can use it. Acronis can then install it's boot program and hide it. It just might not be very large. A better way is to use Parted Magic to delete and recover the partition space into the main partition. Acronis can create it's restore partition and adjust the size at will (even if there's a backup in there).