165 replies to this topic

[PattiChati]

It also asks what file to back it up to. I can't just put it on my desktop, so not sure where to put it? And you said all this was easy? I am quite confused - Sorry

[PattiChati]

I feel like I am talking to myself here. I went ahead and burned the disk. When it asked what to backup I just kept what they had checked, so I would like to know if I checked what I should. I rebooted with it and got to the page where it said Macrium Reflect and there is where I took it out. Is there a way to see what the reflect backed up, if so, how?

[Lee]

Lets slow down a bit Patti and we need to be a bit more precise so I know what you are talking about

It also asks what file to back it up to

What does "it" mean and backup what ?

what components should I check on installation?

Installation of what?

Also, I have a lot on my external drive

What sort of external drive are we talking about here and what capacity size is it (in GB)? Do you have more than one external hard drive?

Is the ISO backup on my external drive?

Have a look for the Reflect symbol next to a file. A small version of the Reflect shortcut like so:

Do I let it install the W 7 image?

Do I let what install the W7 image?

No more "it's" to describe anything OK?. Give everything your talking about a name, so I know exactly what you are referring too.

Cheers,
Lee

PS edit:

I feel like I am talking to myself here

Please consider that I live on the other side of the world in Australia, so when your up and about I may very well be sound asleep. I also have work to do here beside spending time on this forum.

Edited by Lee, 09 September 2012 - 03:52 PM.

[PattiChati]

I was just teasing about talking to myself. I realize you live is Australia. I know this isn't all you do, I respect what you are doing. I hope I didn't offend you. You are volunteering your time and knowledge to a complete stranger. I was just asking you so many questions. I live alone and talk to myself all the time. I am sorry I wasn't clearer - the questions were all about the rescue disk from Macrium reflect, I think post 72, and the questions that were asked during installaton. When I installed imageburn it asked me what file to put it in and I didn't know. And the biggest thing probably was when it asked what components I wanted to put on the rescue disk. They had a list and I didn't know, so I just left it how they had it. I can see how I am not clear to you because right now I am not clear on it either, I would have to go through it again. When I did the Macrium reflect backup, did it go on my external hard drive. How can I tell? My hard drive is a WD and is a 931GB. I am confused about your last screenshot. You said look for a reflect symbol next to a file. What file and where is it?. I think I am totally confused about this backup. I thought you got an external hard drive, clicked backup, and all your files would be there. I guess that s not the case. When I go click on my external hard drive, I don't understand it, it doesn't have my programs just listed there. But it doesn't, it just has names that I don't understand Oh I don't know Lee, I just don't understand this. I thought I could just find the backup by the date, my programs would all be listed there, I could click on it and have my program. . You have been so patient with me, I am dumb when it comes to this stuff, I am sorry. I don't even know what to ask now. Good night and again I am sorry.

Edited by PattiChati, 09 September 2012 - 08:06 PM.

[terry1966]

haven't read the whole thread and your in good hands with lee, patti, he'll get you fully backed up and able to do a restore if the worst ever happens with your pc, but after 6 pages for a backup topic and i see you say

I am quite confused - Sorry

i thought it might be a good idea(beer might have a lot to do with this. ) if i tried to explain some things in non tech way.

think of each hard drive as a big filing cabinet, now the cabinet/drive has numerous draws in each draw you keep different files/documents, doesn't matter if the drive is internal or external.

there are 2 types of filing cabinet draws that can not be copied/backed up and still work on your pc when used to replace the originals easily.

1st is the draw where your operating system is kept and the 2nd is a draw where any programs are stored(internal or external drive/filing cabinet). all other draws regardless of internal or external drive/filling cabinet just hold data such as pictures, music, even your backups,these data draws/files/folders can be easily copied just by dragging and dropping to a different draw/filing cabinet/hard drive, even to cd/dvd, and still work when used to replace the originals.

what lee is doing(if i understand the topic after a very quick glance, really should of read it all. ) is getting you to make a backup that includes the draws with your operating system and programs.

the only way to do this is to make a special clone/copy of all your drive/filling cabinet including all your data on the drive/ in all the filling cabinet draws, this is called an iso or image of the drive.

now this iso or image is just a data file that can be created anywhere, on cd's/dvd/s or on an external/internal drive/filling cabinet, (after creation this data file can easily be copied by drag and drop anywhere too and still work to restore your pc)

do not create/store the iso/image on the same drive your backing up,

this type of backup is usually a clone of the internal drive/filling cabinet and stored on an external drive/filling cabinet or even cd's/dvd's.(i always recommend having at least 2 copies of backups, 1usually on dvd's and 1 on an external hard drive)

after you have made this special clone/copy iso/image of your drive/filling cabinet you can then use it at any time to put your pc back to exactly the same condition it was in when the backup was made, it is especially useful for when your drive fails/ filling cabinet falls apart because of rust and is replaced by a new one.(the image is no good to you if it was stored on the drive that failed/ in the filling cabinet that fell apart and why it's stored elsewhere) this type of backup will put all your files folders back exactly as they were before any catastrophe and still have everything working as if it was the same drive/filing cabinet that's been replaced.

now to use this special type of backup(iso/image) file you will need to use a cd/dvd with the backup/restore program on(which you have already created which lee called the "Macrium Reflect repair / rescue disk") and point it to where you created the backup iso/image.

you can not use this special type of backup/iso/image to restore just one or two draws/files/folders on a drive/filling cabinet it will only restore the whole drive/filling cabinet including all it's draws, wiping everything already on/in the drive/filling cabinet to the state they were in when the iso/image/backup was made.(not exactly true, but it takes special knowledge to use parts of one for selective restore.)

this type of backup is used when you need to restore an operating system along with all programs, for general data backups of pictures, music, etc just use drag and drop to cd/dvd or external hard drive.

lee's gone through all these steps in detail and you've followed them fine, but thought if i made this post explaining everything all at once it might help you understand a bit better exactly what your doing/ have done.

hope this post makes sense when i'm sober.

[PattiChati]

for general data backups of pictures, music, etc just use drag and drop to cd/dvd or external hard drive.


For the most part now, I need to just keep Microsoft Excel and pictures backed up, until I understand what Lee has said. He is so patient and intelligent, I feel so dumb and so bad for him to have to deal with me. I should print it all out, read it, then rewrite it in my own words.
So you say to drag and drop to external hard drive. So where do I go for the data on these programs and do I open up the hard drive and drop it somewhere?
I liked your explanation, but will have to read it in the morning. After my sleeping pill, which I have taken, I really can't concentrate. Thanks so much though. Enjoy your beer.

[terry1966]

So where do I go for the data

that depends on where you save it in the first place.

usually things are stored in your documents, picture, music, etc folders.

not having a windows operating system up and running at the moment i can't give exact locations when exploring your hard drive.

do I open up the hard drive and drop it somewhere?

you'd open 2 windows, one at the location of the files you want to backup something like c:/documents/picures (where c: would be your internal hard drive) and a second at e:/documents (where e: is your external drive on which you've created a folder called documents)

first drink i've had for months and would you believe it, i've run out of beer.

Edited by terry1966, 09 September 2012 - 08:45 PM.

[Lee]

You lost me completely Terry about halfway through your analogies. What number beer were you up to (?) and thank your lucky stars it wasn't ozzie beer you were drinking, or you would have been completely legless (or should I say typeless)!

Patti, lets go for something nice and easy. Are you trying to install you Reflect ISO (image file) onto your internal WD 931 GB hard drive or your external drive? If your external hard drive , what size is it in GB?

You are not trying to use a small flash drive to store a Reflect back-up image are you?

Could you please provide a screenshot of the external drive's content please. The one where you have your Reflect backup ISO image you made (or the one your trying to install it on).

Cheers,
Lee

[PattiChati]

Its my external hard drive that is the WD with 931 gb which I am backing up on. No, I am backing up on a drive, no flash drive and the rescue disk on a dvd Hope this is what you needed. Now you can't open these though and see what I am talking about it being names I don't understand. Well, because of the time difference, I am going to bed now. I will answer questions tmr nite. Thanks Lee.

[PattiChati]

Just for more information where my confusion is - here is a shot of what is under programs>microsoft office. It also says it is on drive K? I don't have a drive K, only Drive C and J. Where are the programs, like Word, Excel, Access - that is what I am wondering about.

Edited by PattiChati, 09 September 2012 - 10:29 PM.

[Lee]

Just for more information where my confusion is - here is a shot of what is under programs>microsoft office. It also says it is on drive K? I don't have a drive K, only Drive C and J. Where are the programs, like Word, Excel, Access - that is what I am wondering about.

Forget that for the moment. One thing at a time remember?

You have two Reflect ISO backups and here they are with a red square around them. Notice the symbol next to them? That is the Reflect symbol. Right-click and delete the top one.


Now delete everything else on that drive. No questions, just delete everything on that drive except the bottom Reflect dated 9/8/2012 3.53pm

[PattiChati]

Ok, everything is deleted. I did leave Hallmark Card Studio on there because I bought it as a download and I backed up the program there.

[Lee]

That's great; a nice clean slate

Everything on your computer is now backed up in the Reflect ISO image you did not delete, including:

Word, Excel, Access - that is what I am wondering about.

There is no need to access them from your backup image (it is possible though to access anything and everything if really needed), just relax in the knowledge that everything on your computer is in that Reflect ISO image safely backed up.

Lets now go back to the repair / rescue disk you may or may not have created successfully.

If you did create that rescue disk after following the instructions and screenshots in my posts #69 and #72, lets make sure it works. No, we are not going to restore the reflect image you made and have on your external hard drive, we are just going to see if the repair / rescue disk works. If you haven't made the disk, do so now by following those two posts (#69 and #72).

Insert the repair / rescue disk into your disk drive. Reboot your computer and touch nothing. Wait until you see a Macrium Reflect window open. If it does you have successfully created the disk. Remove the disk and reboot. Write "Reflect Rescue" on the disk with a texta pen and keep it in a safe place.

Cheers,
Lee

Edited by Lee, 10 September 2012 - 11:03 AM.

[PattiChati]

I made the rescue disk and I let it go all the way until it just said "MACRIUM REFLECT" in large letters. That is where I stopped for fear it would start restoring. It did boot up with it. Don't know what else is on it, but figured since it said macrium reflect that it worked.

[PattiChati]

What time is it there now. It is 1:00 pm here. Is it night time there? If so, how can you answer me during the day? I am a very inquisitive person, as you can probably tell. I am like a little kid that always says "why".