Solved Bootable backup on usb

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kiwig

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A week ago or so I had a machine failure. I had all the documents saved.
It took me quite a long time to get me up and running on another machine. At the moment I'm interested in finding out if there is a possibility to backup/clone a finished installed system to a usb(bootable) drive.

In case of failure of a machine a bootable usb drive would give the option of continuing the basic work. At least you could instantly communicate with clients and so on till the new machine is installed. My Mac friend uses Superduper.
What are the options in Windows 8? What 3party programs would be capable to do that?
Any ideas
Thanks.
 

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I'm interested in finding out if there is a possibility to backup/clone a finished installed system to a usb [DEL](bootable)[/DEL] drive.

Yes, you can do that with Macrium Reflect free (minus the bootable part). However, this would allow you to restore the enitre OS (eg, backup image) to a state when the image was initially created:

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

If you decide to use it on a USB stick, you'll want to select the Image Backup option. Do not use the Clone option. You will also be required to create either a Macrium USB Recovery Drive or Recovery DVD to boot from when attempting to restore the image you have save on your other USB stick.

Just be aware that you may require a large USB drive to store the image; however, Macrium does use compression, but it is always good to assume that if you aer backing up a 30GB image, you should have (at least) a 32GB USB stick. Good luck.

my2cents

FYI, the new system imaging function in 8.1 has a flaw and may not work well for you so I wouldn't even consider that option unless you have a Legacy (eg, non-UEFI) installation.
 
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System One

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    Intel G2020
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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
I agree.

Even if you need a 64 GB usb, it is WELL worth the money to buy one. :)
 

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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
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    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
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Hi there
another alternative - if you have any of the older 120GB SSD's spare then these make EXCELLENT Windows to go systems -- download the ENTERPRISE TRIAL (90 day free) -- it's actually a mystery to me why this isn't included in W8.1 pro - even as an additional charge feature - many FREE LANCE people who don't have access to enterprise versions would like this feature.

If you don't create a windows to go system just create say a 1GB partition for the OS (Macrium / etc bootable media) and use the other partition to store the backup --really fast on an SSD - even if it's plugged in to a USB2 port.

People forget - but you CAN create more than none partition on USB drives and sticks

If you only want the bootable OS - just use any old stick - even a 1GB one should be good enough - then you can read your recovery from any network / other external drive too.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Thanks guys/ladies
So, out of your answers is my conclusion that there is no option of creating a bootable usb drive, full stop? It would've been to good having a usb 3 with ssd and a OS ready for failure. Documents are easy to backup and restore.
My OS is the pro version so WindowsTo Go is also not an option. The WTG is not an OS with installed programs, it is the basic OS, isn't it?
 

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It is quite easy to do.

The only snag is the efi insistence on the old fashioned FAT filesystem limiting the file size you can store.

You can easily put a bootable wim file on usb, boot that up and restore an image you have on the same usb stick.
In principle, it is the same as having windows installation files on usb. There is a bootable wim which loads into ram , you run setup from there and it extracts the files from install.wim onto your chosen partition.

You should be able to do the same with any decent 3rd party imaging program, tho if you are using FAT filesystem, you need to split the backup image into 4gb chunks - they will all do that for you.
 

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System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
E,G

If you are using Aomei free: Free Download AOMEI Backupper: Windows Backup & Cloning Software

It will create bootable winpe .iso file for you. For efi boot, format your usb FAT 32, then extract the aomei iso onto the stick.

Create your Aomei image ( select split size under options). Then copy those image files onto your usb stick. That will be quite a few gb so may take a while to copy.

Boot it up. Aomei appears, browse to your image files on the usb and restore.
 

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System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you want to run windows directly from a usb, you can't do it very easily, unless you have windows to go, and there are several limitatations with that. Linux you can, no problems with that.

Probabaly best to do an image type thing, it should only take minutes to restore and get you back up and running.

[ The other possibility is complicated, it involves making winpe with a lot of functions included, but it would take years to explain how to do that. I have made excellent pe for win7 and even 8.0 ( with some replacement code -thanks to Tihiy ).
Noboby has yet made a successful one from 8.1. The metro disease has spread.
 

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System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
.......
Probabaly best to do an image type thing, it should only take minutes to restore and get you back up and running.
...
SIW2
Thanks. :)
I'll need some time to digest all that.:think:
The only 'disadvantage' of the restore an image might be hardware compatibility with a new machine which could be avoided by having a temporarily working setup on a usb.
Looks like image has to be the way :rolleyes:?
 

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You shouldn't have too much trouble with hardware, win7 is pretty good at adapting, and 8 appears to be somewhat more amenable to it. There are a couple of ways to avoid that possibility. One is to sysprep ( generalise ) the os before you image it. The other is to hit it with P2P adjust after restoring the image. It only takes a couple of seconds. As far as I know, the only independent P2P adjust comes from Paragon. That means you can point it at any restored image - even those restored by another program. I have HDM 12 Pro and HDM12 Business, they both include that P2P module. I believe it is included in the less expensive Backup and Recovery Home, too. It is not free, though. There is a special atm with free upgrade to next version due shortly.

Paragon Software Newsletter - Paragon Halloween Special starts now - save up to 75% on our bestsellers!
 

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System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
SIW2, thank you!
I will take your advise and see how I get on. I assume HDM is Paragon software?
 

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Thanks guys/ladies
So, out of your answers is my conclusion that there is no option of creating a bootable usb drive, full stop? It would've been to good having a usb 3 with ssd and a OS ready for failure. Documents are easy to backup and restore.
My OS is the pro version so WindowsTo Go is also not an option. The WTG is not an OS with installed programs, it is the basic OS, isn't it?

I don't understand what all you are saying here but with Macrium (paid version) I created a bootable usb that contains an image of all my local drives.
What makes it bootable is Macrium creates an .xml file to accompany the system image.

I used a 32 GB usb.
I made the image & .xml file.
I inserted the usb into the computer & restarted.

The usb proceeded to reinstall EVERYTHING.
I had made a new desktop folder after making the image.
When things were restored, it was not.

I make new images as time goes by to keep the usb updated with new additions & removals.
 

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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
I don't understand what all you are saying here ....
All what I am looking for is; a backup of the working system as it is now backed up on a bootable usb so I could boot into that as a working OS as a temporary measure in case of machine failure. It could be then attached to any Windows system machine to boot up and continue, at least temporarily till you have your next machine working.
Is that understandable?
 

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I don't understand what all you are saying here ....
All what I am looking for is; a backup of the working system as it is now backed up on a bootable usb so I could boot into that as a working OS as a temporary measure in case of machine failure. It could be then attached to any Windows system machine to boot up and continue, at least temporarily till you have your next machine working.
Is that understandable?

Yes, very.
Thank you.

In that case use Macrium Reflect.
It works good. :)

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It works for me. :)
 

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
..
It works good. ...
It works for me. :)
So you can boot up to the usb OS and working if needed/wanted?

Yes.
I just insert the usb drive & restart & the usb image gets installed.(or reinstalled however you want to look at it)

Everything is copied and everything is put back.

If my system gets corrupted, all I have to do is restore it with my usb image.
And I'm good to go again.
 

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
David
Thanks.
It is allmost what I am looking for, except I want to use the OS on the USB temporarily.
 

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Not really an easy way to do that. Most people will restore an image. It does take a few mins, but that is no big deal.

If you only want to do basic stuff. like keep in contact via forums. emails etc, you could use a fancy custom pe, or all the Linux distros (as far as I know ) can run Live directly off usb stick. Mint is a nice Ubuntu based variant, if you want to give it a try. I quite like the Cinnamon variant that Clem does. http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

In any case, making an image every now and then is your best strategy against disaster.
 

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System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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