Should I image my drive?

BLKFEATHER · 13. Oct 2009, 01:32 AM

Drive imaging is new to me but sounds like a better solution to the usual backup. I've been reading everything on this site that I can about it, and would like to image my drive. But now I read a post from a guy that has an "old" windows install and it sounds like it's best to image a new install. So heres where I would really appreciate some advice. I run windows xp sp3 and my install is approx. 3 years old. My computer runs ok. No problems.But I would like to back it up. My question: Should I image my disc with my "old" install? Should I wipe my drive clean and start with a fresh install-even though I'm having no problems? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

J_L · 13. Oct 2009, 05:10 AM

It's your choice ultimately, but if your install is fine as it is, then I would recommend you image it before something bad happens.

You could run some scans before that (using your AV, on-demand scanners, maintenance utilities [except reg. cleaning], etc.) just to be sure it's clean. I would image first though, then run those things, then image again if everything went smoothly.

chris.p · 13. Oct 2009, 12:19 PM

Like JL says, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Maybe just do a small disk cleanup then image it using Macrium or similar. Get an external USB disk to put your files on, try and get one with a fan otherwise the hard drive heats up to 70C and it's not reliable. Get a 500GB disk or larger, it's worth it. You can also make your own external disks which is what I do.

I want a Seagate 500GB disk or larger, in a fan-cooled enclosure, with the disk removable and replaceable in 10 seconds. The only way to get this that I've found is to DIY it with a Venus fan-cooled enclosure. The result is excellent, google for 'venus usb fan cooled external disk' and find the details.

Then do a bunch of cleanup jobs, defrag, security scans, any partition adjustments etc. After this, do an incremental image (= an additional one that adds a file with the disk update, to the original series of image files).

I always split mine to 700MB filesize as it seems safer and handier. When I do a new, clean disk image I do the first one twice - once onto optical disks, and again to the USB disk. Like they say, if data doesn't exist in three places, it doesn't exist.

mobiclue · 19. Oct 2009, 10:01 PM

Backup is always essential . Its a irritating process for most of us ,but a lifesaver at needy situations .I won't recommend you to re-install your Windows since your partitions are working good. Download some registry cleaners , file optimizers etc. and clean those redundant files . After ,all backup your data by taking an image (Acronis is good) or saving it online (Mozy is good)

BLKFEATHER · 20. Oct 2009, 02:37 AM

Thanks for the advice, guys.Sounds good!

Perfectionist · 03. Dec 2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.p

Maybe just do a small disk cleanup then image it using Macrium or similar. Get an external USB disk to put your files on, try and get one with a fan otherwise the hard drive heats up to 70C and it's not reliable.

Forgive me for being a noob! Why does the Drive heat up so much? So would it be a bad idea to use a WD My Passport for imaging?

13. Oct 2009, 01:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
BLKFEATHER Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Should I image my drive? Drive imaging is new to me but sounds like a better solution to the usual backup. I've been reading everything on this site that I can about it, and would like to image my drive. But now I read a post from a guy that has an "old" windows install and it sounds like it's best to image a new install. So heres where I would really appreciate some advice. I run windows xp sp3 and my install is approx. 3 years old. My computer runs ok. No problems.But I would like to back it up. My question: Should I image my disc with my "old" install? Should I wipe my drive clean and start with a fresh install-even though I'm having no problems? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

13. Oct 2009, 12:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
chris.p Foundation Editor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 1,600	Like JL says, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Maybe just do a small disk cleanup then image it using Macrium or similar. Get an external USB disk to put your files on, try and get one with a fan otherwise the hard drive heats up to 70C and it's not reliable. Get a 500GB disk or larger, it's worth it. You can also make your own external disks which is what I do. I want a Seagate 500GB disk or larger, in a fan-cooled enclosure, with the disk removable and replaceable in 10 seconds. The only way to get this that I've found is to DIY it with a Venus fan-cooled enclosure. The result is excellent, google for 'venus usb fan cooled external disk' and find the details. Then do a bunch of cleanup jobs, defrag, security scans, any partition adjustments etc. After this, do an incremental image (= an additional one that adds a file with the disk update, to the original series of image files). I always split mine to 700MB filesize as it seems safer and handier. When I do a new, clean disk image I do the first one twice - once onto optical disks, and again to the USB disk. Like they say, if data doesn't exist in three places, it doesn't exist. __________________ . . . . . . . Web Business Management

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13. Oct 2009, 05:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,483	It's your choice ultimately, but if your install is fine as it is, then I would recommend you image it before something bad happens. You could run some scans before that (using your AV, on-demand scanners, maintenance utilities [except reg. cleaning], etc.) just to be sure it's clean. I would image first though, then run those things, then image again if everything went smoothly.

19. Oct 2009, 10:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
mobiclue Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Backup is always essential . Its a irritating process for most of us ,but a lifesaver at needy situations .I won't recommend you to re-install your Windows since your partitions are working good. Download some registry cleaners , file optimizers etc. and clean those redundant files . After ,all backup your data by taking an image (Acronis is good) or saving it online (Mozy is good)

20. Oct 2009, 02:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
BLKFEATHER Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks for the advice, guys.Sounds good!