[Manscape]

Greetings!

I've used Windows 7 backup for a REGULAR backup a few times sending the copies to an external hard drive in one of two set partitions. Now, after understanding the value of an "image" backup using the Windows 7 program, I want to do that. My question is, if I select the "image" backup and send it to the external hard drive's same partition as the previous "regular" backups......what will happen? Will the previous backup files and such become overwritten? Will there be a simple addition of "image" backup data to that partition with file redundancy? I learned how to dig into the "regular" backup files to pluck one out if needed yet I understand this can't be done from an "image" backup. Hard drive space in the backup hard drive isn't really an issue for the immediate future. Can you comment what to expect if I do this "image" backup into the same partition that received earlier "regular" backup data from earlier?

Also, will the "image" backup in Windows 7 occupy unused hard drive space in the destination drive to duplicate the unwritten areas from the source hard drive as I've read that some "image" backups will do?

Thank you!

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Gday.
The image files is separate from your backup files, so they will not be overwritten.
You can extract one file from the Image, > http://www.howtogeek...m-image-backup/
The Image is the same size as the System Reserve and all the Data, does not include free space. An image should be done as soon as you have the system running stable (and before adding 200 hours of video ) NB. If you have corruption, missing files, infection, that's what is on the image, .
If you want a second image. Rename the first image to. say, First Ipadeb, then create image which will be named, WindowsImageBackup. If you wanted to restore First Ipadeb, you will have to rename it WindowsImageBackup then, rename WindowsImageBackup to First Ipadeb.
You can find alternatives > http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/171414-multiple-disc-images.html

> http://www.howtogeek...e-in-windows-7/
> http://www.howtogeek...e-in-windows-7/
You will see this file, MediaID.bin file with your backups, MediaID.bin is the file Backup and Restore needs, to be able to restore the image or a backup.
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-restore-faq#1TC=windows-7
Don't forget to ake the restore disc.

[iammykyl]

Gday.
The image files is separate from your backup files, so they will not be overwritten.
You can extract one file from the Image, > http://www.howtogeek...m-image-backup/
The Image is the same size as the System Reserve and all the Data, does not include free space. An image should be done as soon as you have the system running stable (and before adding 200 hours of video ) NB. If you have corruption, missing files, infection, that's what is on the image, .
If you want a second image. Rename the first image to. say, First Ipadeb, then create image which will be named, WindowsImageBackup. If you wanted to restore First Ipadeb, you will have to rename it WindowsImageBackup then, rename WindowsImageBackup to First Ipadeb.
You can find alternatives > http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/171414-multiple-disc-images.html

> http://www.howtogeek...e-in-windows-7/
> http://www.howtogeek...e-in-windows-7/
You will see this file, MediaID.bin file with your backups, MediaID.bin is the file Backup and Restore needs, to be able to restore the image or a backup.
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-restore-faq#1TC=windows-7
Don't forget to ake the restore disc.

[Manscape]

Thank you iammykyl,

The information you provided helps me move forward with confidence, and naturally it generates more curiosity.

Why would multiple "image" backups be needed since people make them, save them and then choose only one when the time comes? I would think that from time to time a NEW "image" backup would take place that overwrites the previous "image" backup and that becomes the "go to" complete disk backup when needed.

I read over your material and understand the need to rename the particular "image" backup chosen to use as "WindowsImageBackup" to distinguish it from other "image" backups that were copied but NOT chosen to use when the time comes. Again, it begs the question, why would multiple "image" backups be made and saved if in the end only one "image" backup is chosen to use when the computer crashes.

Thank you, once more!

[iammykyl]

Gday.
With a new installation, Windows and drivers updated, chosen firewall/anti virus installed, system tested, everything OK, that is your image to use if you want to start over, would be exactly the same as a clean install, you would then perform updates, test, make a new image, delete the original.
Once I had my programs installed, file system set as wanted, restored any files I had backed up, say from my previous build, I would then create a new image I can go back to but I would not want my first clean install to be overwritten. That's as far as I go, others may decide to create an image every month or six months, individual choice.

[Manscape]

I've got the picture now iammykyl......

As the "image" backup differs from the OS the moment it's done, I see now how time can expand the difference between the OS disk in constant use and the "image" that sits in waiting. It's amazing how personal one's computer can be made to suite the owner and the vast available differences that are up for choosing.......

I since completed an "image" backup on the notebook computer, noted all the aspects and in the end created the "repair disk" the program offered. I see that repair disk can be used for my desktop computer also as it's Windows 7 too. Both computers are of the same age (three years old) and I created for each their respective 7 DVD recovery disks when I first got them both and with the "image" backup now, I'm finally feeling confident I can weather a serious failure of the operating systems.

I'll run the "image" backup on the desktop after I leave it for the night.

I've examined the instructions in the link you included on how to extract individual files from the "image" backup. Excellent. And in closing, as there are so many compelling backup software programs both free and not free to be considered, I think I'll just relax with this built in Win7 utility as I'm primed for it now.

Thank you!

[iammykyl]

You're very welcome Manscape

Good luck.