Solved Windows 8.1 - System Image Backup Solution; Fine Details

rowlands111

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Hello eightforum users, I am a new member.

I own an OEM Machine which is from Acer.

To ask what is probably well known amongst IT pro's; does a system image backup solution (and consequently a restore from that image if needs be) work on OEM PC's, like a desktop from Acer, actually work without problems, and would I get a proper bootable and working machine after restoration.

Brief scenario - I have used Acronis TI 2014 (Or even the Windows 8.1 system image utility) to create an image of my C: Drive/EFI Partition/Recovery Partition - and backed it up to an external USB HDD.

My OS crashes for whatever reason and I can't boot.

I then either use my Acronis bootable media CD (which I've tested and boots despite all the secure boot/UEFI/GPT mania going about users like myself) to reinstall the Acronis disk image.

OR I use a Widnows 8.1 bootable disk with the ISO (which I've tested to boot) to reinstall the Windows created system image. (I could also use the recovery drive I created in Win 8.1, which just to add, however irrelvanat it might be, includes my OEM factory default partition which was copied as part of the recovery flash drive creation)

Would either of those restore solutions give me a reasonably likely working PC again - taking into account all the stuff I don't understand like the Windows 8.1 OEM key being on the motherboard (which I would understand in terms of Windows activation and authentication could have a negative impact on restoring images over an OEM installed OS and it's partitions)

If anyone can put my probably paranoid worries to bed, and verify that these procedures actually work in the new version of Windows - I'd be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Someone who is fumbling their way through this thing :mad:

**EDIT** PS, I suppose I could test this myself - but blah blah excuses blah blah I'm not much an expert, and use my PC to work, and if if I'm left without a working PC, or if I need to reinstall Windows from scratch and the image restores STILL don't work - then I lose all my company installed apps and can't work :'(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
If you make an image backup of your drive with Acronis, you can use that image to recover to exactly what it was, the OS, programs, data, partitions etc. It will be exactly the same. I use Acronis Premium and it saved my bacon on a couple of occasions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thank you Nuccii. That perfectly addresses my concerns!

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner. I am currently limited, as I'm sure you're aware, to the no. of posts I can make as a new member.

Cheers!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
Thank you Nuccii. That perfectly addresses my concerns!

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner. I am currently limited, as I'm sure you're aware, to the no. of posts I can make as a new member.

Cheers!
Hello Rowlands

I know your problem is already solved however,

How about Windows System Image? It's also a very good tool and personally love it, since it's integrated with Windows RE. And they do work perfectly with your OEM version of Windows.

You should be able to read more about it, in an article I wrote about it here: Windows RE Image Recovery

Let me know you toughts about this System Image tool, personally I love it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center 64-bits.
Thank you Nuccii. That perfectly addresses my concerns!

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner. I am currently limited, as I'm sure you're aware, to the no. of posts I can make as a new member.

Cheers!
Hello Rowlands

I know your problem is already solved however,

How about Windows System Image? It's also a very good tool and personally love it, since it's integrated with Windows RE. And they do work perfectly with your OEM version of Windows.

You should be able to read more about it, in an article I wrote about it here: Windows RE Image Recovery

Let me know you toughts about this System Image tool, personally I love it.

Hey Yuri,

Personally, I did give the Windows sytem image some consideration when it came to a back up solution. (I like your web site btw)

I appreciate you posting in terms of an OEM valid solution! :) The reason whey I'm being specific to this, is that recently, I hosed the Windows bootloader/efI/MBR....whatever it's called now in Windows 8.1! :) And believe it or not, Acer had to replace the whole hard drive, and reinstall the UEFI! :S That led me to believe there was some issues when restoring an image onto OEM hardware, be it bare metal, or a non booting OS. But, there was probably other variables that led Acer to replacing the disk.

All those details aside hehe, now that you mention it, i'll probably make a Windows image onto my external hdd just in case.

Would you mind me asking, as I've just ran through the Windows image steps a few minutes ago now that you mention this solution; do you have any idea why Windows isn't including Acer's recovery partition? I don't get the option for ''Push Button Recovery'' in the backup drive options. Do you reckon that would be an issue at all..as there are the options for EFI and the small recovery partition (which I THINK is the WinRE thing)

Cheers Yuri!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
PS - When I hosed the bootloader, I didn't have any recovery or backup solutions created hence why the PC was sent to Acer.

Yes...just shoot me now for being so silly as to not create the media :'( Hehe
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
PS - When I hosed the bootloader, I didn't have any recovery or backup solutions created hence why the PC was sent to Acer.

Yes...just shoot me now for being so silly as to not create the media :'( Hehe

Yea just for clarity regardless of what program you use you need to Image the complete disk/SSD don't make the mistake of making images of your partitions. A Disk Image is a complete image of your disk.

Now I do keep images of my C:\ partition, as if only windows is screwed up I can just restore C:\ partition if other things are going on I just restore the Disk Image. I also keep these Images up to date. Disk about once a month and C:\ partition about once a week. I also don't keep any data files on my C:\ Partition. Data files daily two Cloud systems and one hard copy here on a external drive

I personally didn't have a lot of luck with Acronis THI. Acronis started telling us in 2012 that they were UEFI ready, well they weren't and even into 2014 version they were still having failures with restores. I believe around March they finally got it right don't remember which build number. I don't much care as I've moved my back ups to Macrium Reflect for my UEFI and Windows 8 machines. The Win 7 MBR machines are for sure good with ATHI. And My UEFI machines are for sure good with MR
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
PS - When I hosed the bootloader, I didn't have any recovery or backup solutions created hence why the PC was sent to Acer.

Yes...just shoot me now for being so silly as to not create the media :'( Hehe

Yea just for clarity regardless of what program you use you need to Image the complete disk/SSD don't make the mistake of making images of your partitions. A Disk Image is a complete image of your disk.

Now I do keep images of my C:\ partition, as if only windows is screwed up I can just restore C:\ partition if other things are going on I just restore the Disk Image. I also keep these Images up to date. Disk about once a month and C:\ partition about once a week. I also don't keep any data files on my C:\ Partition. Data files daily two Cloud systems and one hard copy here on a external drive

I personally didn't have a lot of luck with Acronis THI. Acronis started telling us in 2012 that they were UEFI ready, well they weren't and even into 2014 version they were still having failures with restores. I believe around March they finally got it right don't remember which build number. I don't much care as I've moved my back ups to Macrium Reflect for my UEFI and Windows 8 machines. The Win 7 MBR machines are for sure good with ATHI. And My UEFI machines are for sure good with MR

I won't now just to be safe, cheers! Will definitely select ''Disk Mode'' in True Image 2014 as opposed to just manually selecting all of the partitions. (if I continue to use that product as the go to solution)


[Quote\Acronis started telling us in 2012 that they were UEFI ready, well they weren't and even into 2014 version they were still having failures with restores. I believe around March they finally got it right don't remember which build number. I don't much care as I've moved my back ups to Macrium Reflect for my UEFI and Windows 8 machines. The Win 7 MBR machines are for sure good with ATHI. And My UEFI machines are for sure good with MR[/QUOTE]

You sir, are a scholar for giving me the above info - I will check out Macrium as a matter of urgency, as it's nice to get confirmation that software actually works in these new configurations.

( I really hope the above quote attempt works haha)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
PS - When I hosed the bootloader, I didn't have any recovery or backup solutions created hence why the PC was sent to Acer.

Yes...just shoot me now for being so silly as to not create the media :'( Hehe

Yea just for clarity regardless of what program you use you need to Image the complete disk/SSD don't make the mistake of making images of your partitions. A Disk Image is a complete image of your disk.

Now I do keep images of my C:\ partition, as if only windows is screwed up I can just restore C:\ partition if other things are going on I just restore the Disk Image. I also keep these Images up to date. Disk about once a month and C:\ partition about once a week. I also don't keep any data files on my C:\ Partition. Data files daily two Cloud systems and one hard copy here on a external drive

I personally didn't have a lot of luck with Acronis THI. Acronis started telling us in 2012 that they were UEFI ready, well they weren't and even into 2014 version they were still having failures with restores. I believe around March they finally got it right don't remember which build number. I don't much care as I've moved my back ups to Macrium Reflect for my UEFI and Windows 8 machines. The Win 7 MBR machines are for sure good with ATHI. And My UEFI machines are for sure good with MR

I won't now just to be safe, cheers! Will definitely select ''Disk Mode'' in True Image 2014 as opposed to just manually selecting all of the partitions. (if I continue to use that product as the go to solution)


[Quote\Acronis started telling us in 2012 that they were UEFI ready, well they weren't and even into 2014 version they were still having failures with restores. I believe around March they finally got it right don't remember which build number. I don't much care as I've moved my back ups to Macrium Reflect for my UEFI and Windows 8 machines. The Win 7 MBR machines are for sure good with ATHI. And My UEFI machines are for sure good with MR

You sir, are a scholar for giving me the above info - I will check out Macrium as a matter of urgency, as it's nice to get confirmation that software actually works in these new configurations.

( I really hope the above quote attempt works haha)[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the rep points, If you have the latest version of ATHI and you create a disk image it should restore and boot. I don't know or sure but I follow several thread in Acronis support forum. The people there are having success now. As far as a separate C:\ partition image that is a good thing as most times its all you need to save your butt, but if you lose your hard drive or have one in the process of dyeing your going to need the Disk Image. UEFI is a different thing all together and it needs the 3 or 4 partition created on install to boot operate. The thing I like about MR is that it works first off, 2nd they follow there support forum regularly, and their tech support all Speak English as native language.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Hello eightforum users, I am a new member.

I own an OEM Machine which is from Acer.

To ask what is probably well known amongst IT pro's; does a system image backup solution (and consequently a restore from that image if needs be) work on OEM PC's, like a desktop from Acer, actually work without problems, and would I get a proper bootable and working machine after restoration.

Brief scenario - I have used Acronis TI 2014 (Or even the Windows 8.1 system image utility) to create an image of my C: Drive/EFI Partition/Recovery Partition - and backed it up to an external USB HDD.

My OS crashes for whatever reason and I can't boot.

I then either use my Acronis bootable media CD (which I've tested and boots despite all the secure boot/UEFI/GPT mania going about users like myself) to reinstall the Acronis disk image.

OR I use a Widnows 8.1 bootable disk with the ISO (which I've tested to boot) to reinstall the Windows created system image. (I could also use the recovery drive I created in Win 8.1, which just to add, however irrelvanat it might be, includes my OEM factory default partition which was copied as part of the recovery flash drive creation)

Would either of those restore solutions give me a reasonably likely working PC again - taking into account all the stuff I don't understand like the Windows 8.1 OEM key being on the motherboard (which I would understand in terms of Windows activation and authentication could have a negative impact on restoring images over an OEM installed OS and it's partitions)

If anyone can put my probably paranoid worries to bed, and verify that these procedures actually work in the new version of Windows - I'd be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Someone who is fumbling their way through this thing :mad:

**EDIT** PS, I suppose I could test this myself - but blah blah excuses blah blah I'm not much an expert, and use my PC to work, and if if I'm left without a working PC, or if I need to reinstall Windows from scratch and the image restores STILL don't work - then I lose all my company installed apps and can't work :'(

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I'm planning to purchase a new business-class laptop with Win 8.1 Pro installed and this backup issue concerns me greatly.

I'm running Win 7 Ultimate SP1 on my current machine. Shadow copies and the ability to create a system image and subsequently restore from it are top priority features I value highly on Win 7.

What was Microsoft thinking when they deprecated this feature for Windows 8.1?

This new machine will be customised by Toshiba and Win 8.1 is the default OS. One available option is an OS downgrade to Win 7 Pro on the new machine which will be a Toshiba Tecra A50-A. Would that be a good idea, considering Microsoft are discontinuing mainstream support for Win 7 in January 2015?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba P205-S6307
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 500 Gb - System Disk
    WD Black 500 Gb - eSATA External Backup Disk
From this thread and after a lot of research, AND testing with the software, I confirmed that Macrium seems to be a really powerful imaging tool. I work from home for my company and I need to have an exceptionally reliable backup system, and Macrium really does fit the bill.

With Windows 8.1 native imaging, that's probably fine to use, but I'd honestly advise to download Macrium Free (or pay for the Standard version if you want incremental/differential backups) - I've verified it to be nigh on 100% reliable, even with the new technology that Windows 8/.1 brings (UEFI..etc.). :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
From this thread and after a lot of research, AND testing with the software, I confirmed that Macrium seems to be a really powerful imaging tool. I work from home for my company and I need to have an exceptionally reliable backup system, and Macrium really does fit the bill.

With Windows 8.1 native imaging, that's probably fine to use, but I'd honestly advise to download Macrium Free (or pay for the Standard version if you want incremental/differential backups) - I've verified it to be nigh on 100% reliable, even with the new technology that Windows 8/.1 brings (UEFI..etc.). :)

Under Vista/Win 7. I viewed the incremental/differential system image backup feature with a great deal of scepticism. I always quick formatted the backup disk before creating a new system image on it.

Thanks for the information of Macrium as it seems to be a quite powerful system image application. However, the real test is when you must have a viable system image to be able to restore from. Have you done this yet?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba P205-S6307
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 500 Gb - System Disk
    WD Black 500 Gb - eSATA External Backup Disk
From this thread and after a lot of research, AND testing with the software, I confirmed that Macrium seems to be a really powerful imaging tool. I work from home for my company and I need to have an exceptionally reliable backup system, and Macrium really does fit the bill.

With Windows 8.1 native imaging, that's probably fine to use, but I'd honestly advise to download Macrium Free (or pay for the Standard version if you want incremental/differential backups) - I've verified it to be nigh on 100% reliable, even with the new technology that Windows 8/.1 brings (UEFI..etc.). :)

Under Vista/Win 7. I viewed the incremental/differential system image backup feature with a great deal of scepticism. I always quick formatted the backup disk before creating a new system image on it.

Thanks for the information of Macrium as it seems to be a quite powerful system image application. However, the real test is when you must have a viable system image to be able to restore from. Have you done this yet?

I certainly have.

For an example: I have an application on my computer called RSA Secure ID. It generates a unique, single use token code so that I can log onto my works' Citrix based applications platform (just another layer of security on top of my password).

RSA Secure ID working properly (and what makes it useful) is subject to it generating a serial number of a user's computer (as far as I am aware, if generates this serial based on the motherboard and hard drive) - if it detects that the hard drive or MB has been changed, then the serial will change, and the token codes will not generate.

With this in mind, if I were to restore a backup from Macrium, could I be sure that the restore image will be EXACTLY the same, and valid, so as not to affect this critical serial number?

The answer is yes - perfectly. After risking a restore (so I knew that my system was crash proof) everything worked as it should. And even the scenario with OEM Windows 8.1 machines' product keys being encoded onto the motherboard; the restore image so so valid as to not "mess with that" -

Based on these parameters for success - I can safely say that Macrium Reflect is an outstanding product.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security
I use Acronis True Image 2015 whereas I perform incremental image back ups with a new full image performed after 5 incremental backups. Have tested the restores of both features and never had a problem.

I also use Macrium image backup, call me paranoid, but never tested the incremental method. Full image recovery never posed a problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thanks for the information of Macrium as it seems to be a quite powerful system image application. However, the real test is when you must have a viable system image to be able to restore from. Have you done this yet?

Yes. Several times.

The backup was flawless. :)

I would suggest the paid Standard version.
I use it.
It has a boot time Macrium Recovery Option.
Easy to use.

screenshot_175.jpg

I would also suggest formatting your USB as NTFS so you get one big image file.
Fat or Fat 32 results in a bunch of 4 GB files.

Hope this helps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Three users vouching for the software.

Probably a safe bet. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Predator G3-605
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770 @ 3.4GHZ
    Motherboard
    Acer Predator
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 @ 798MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 770 2GB - Personally Overclocked
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Pradator full HD LED 24''
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Neutron GTX 240 GB (Boot)
    2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    500W
    Case
    Acer Pradator G3-605
    Cooling
    All standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K50 RGB
    Mouse
    Acer Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    40Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Windows 8 Security

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Three users vouching for the software.

Probably a safe bet. :)

Indeed. ;)

BTW, my backup disk is NTFS formatted 500 Gb Western Digital Scorpio Black, enclosed in a Vantec enclosure using eSATA/USB 3.0 interface. Anyone see a problem with that?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba P205-S6307
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 500 Gb - System Disk
    WD Black 500 Gb - eSATA External Backup Disk
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