Posted on 04/10/2016 5:25:28 PM PDT by don-o
When I messed myself up, I could not even get to System Restore. I finally booted in Safe Mode and got to Setup where I was able to revert to a normal startup and that fixed the problem.
At the end of that process you'll be given a chance to make a Rescue Disk, which is a DVD with enough stuff on it to slick your drive and replace it with the image you just backed up. With these two things in hand you have a baseline backup that you can always restore if something dire happens to the OS - it already has the license information on it and all of the security patches up to the date you did this.
Do this ASAP. You'll be safe. Now, you might want to make something like this a regular activity without going through the whole Image Backup thing - the Backup and Restore utility can do that too. Doing an "incremental" backup once a week keeps your files current.
One other tip - on the OS sticker on the machine will be a license key (most likely for a Win7 box) - copy this off (using a magnifying glass to make sure you're not mistaking any 8's for capital B's and the like) and store it somewhere safe. If you ever need it the one on your machine might not be readable.
If ever you pooch your hard drive, and it happens, the Rescue Disk and the Image Backup will load a perfect, usable copy to your replacement drive.
Hope that helps.
Yes
And so, we find ourselves here.
Well, why haven't you listened?
:D
Hoss
I use Macrium Reflect free and am very happy with it. I have done several restores from backups and it has worked quickly and flawlessly.
Well played.
Good stuff, Bill. Thanks. Sadly, I broke my CD tray.
Windows 10 is fast, sort of, but is missing several Win 7 software perks and is much more disobedient with spying and burning up data limits, unless you know all the tricks.
I prefer Win 7.
You can download and use Win 10 for quite a while before you have to activate it, so don't until you are sure you don't want 7 anymore.
Does that restore the programs I have installed?
EaseUS Todo Backup Workstation 9.0
http://www.todo-backup.com/business/workstation-backup.htm
ImgBurn to create a cd with Windows on it.
http://www.imgburn.com
To see if you have a hidden partition where your Sony backup is then do the following:
Start button> then right click on Computer then click on Manage.
Under Storage click on Disk Management
If you want to resize or add a partition use this free program:
MiniTool Partition Wizard 9.1
http://www.partitionwizard.com
Also once you make backup then disconnect the external drive as there are ransomware viruses out there where you will lose all your files.
Sony makes good, long-lasting gear. It's worth it to resurrect your old friend, IMHO. Best of luck!
Yep, if you do an Image backup. It's a clone of your current hard drive with everything you've installed.
You can do other kinds of file level backups that do NOT get everything like that. They're quicker but the Image Backup is the life saver.
Thanks
Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time!
later
This one has sentimental value. Christmas present from my son (check my profile) when he did not have a lot of money.
Here’s an older “how to” with snap shots”.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/
I do a backup every now & again to a thunbdrive of some banking and tax stuff. No OS or system files.
The rest of it ? no guts no glory.
Great post.
I second the recommendation regarding Macrium Reflect. It’s great software with excellent support. I never worry about data loss.
Self ping for later
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