Do I need the original Windows disc for an image?

[Bombadil]

I read this section [Drive Imaging reviews] and my understanding is that to create a bootable CD I need the original Windows Install CD. The problem is that I moved to a new apt recently and lost these CDs. Is there a disk imaging tool from the ones you described that can do the task without the Windows CD?

Thank you!

anon.


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this thread moved here from the Drive Imaging review page

[chris.p]

This is not a simple issue and there are two solutions:

1. Use an online app (ie that works in Windows, with a GUI), if that specifically works without needing any new Windows files - all the data is within the image itself.

2. Use an offline app that works with the filesystem and not the live operating system files.


For (1), if you do not have the original CD - which probably applies to a lot of people as you don't get one with a PC now, even though you paid for it - you can use Acronis. This doesn't need any other files, the boot CD is created within the app itself, and all the data you need is inside the image. It creates its own type of boot CD that needs no Windows files.

[this para edited - additional info from Grimbles - ta!]
You can use Macrium provided that you use the 'within the app' Linux boot CD option - this doesn't need extra Windows files. The BartCD boot disc option can't be used as it needs new Windows original files - the original Windows disc is placed in the CD drive, to have the files extracted. The Linux disc build doesn't work for some people, though.

With (2), Windows is not involved at any stage, so it is irrelevant. The image application just takes a block of data off the hard disk and restores it, whatever is in that data is not important. You can find several apps of that type on the review page - the ones that work offline, with the filesystem.

Some prefer the offline types to the GUI ones. They are initially harder to use, but less sensitive to OS variations and disk issues. Choose one according to your evaluation of the reviews. Everyone seems to have a different idea about which one they prefer.

The only further advice I can give is TEST YOUR IMAGE BY RESTORING IT. If you don't, it may not work, due to a small error in parameter settings when creating the image. It's no good waiting till you need it for real.

As crazy as that sounds, plenty of people do that, then are disappointed. It's well worth going out of your way to find some method to try restoring the image. Essentially, you need two machines, or two hard drives to swap out. This is why you don't throw old PCs away if you don't have a spare - always keep one. However, a spare hard disk is the same thing, in this case.

With a laptop (a sensible one where you can change out the disks), it's very easy to slot in a new one. An engineer buys a laptop with a floppy drive, a serial port, and slide-out disks - but this type of machine is not the cheapest.

With a PC, you normally have to open it up and fit the new disk. This is assuming your image is on a USB drive. You can't usually boot from the second drive on a PC, it's just for data. However newer models may get around this.

[grimbles]

"Macrium needs the original Windows disc, which must be placed in the CD drive, to have the files extracted."

Hey Chris P - Are you certain about this? It's been a while (got hold of a free version of Acronis) but I seem to remember building the Macrium boot disc from within the program itself without needing the OS installation disc....it worked well too.

cheers....JIM

[chris.p]

Yep, I just did one.

Maybe it's different now. Also I've only used the BartPE method, the Linux method (within the app) doesn't work for me, it won't build it.

So maybe it's like this, then:

- If you use the Linux boot CD build, it doesn't need the Windows disc
- If you use the BartPE method, it needs Windows files

Weird. But I don't know about the Linux way, someone else can maybe answer. Or we simply believe you

[grimbles]

Yep...that would be right, I'm certain I went the Linux route. Just hit an option within the program to build the boot CD and away it went....worked flawlessly for me!
When I say "certain"...I am getting on a bit and the dreaded C.R.A.F.T is always a factor....maybe 99% certain would be a better way of putting it.

BartPE always needs the Windows files but it doesn't yet support Vista, at least the last time I looked it didn't. You can still make it work on Vista if you have an XP installation disc hanging around (for the build), unfortunately I don't.

cheers...JIM

[clas]

i agree jim...macrium works great...boot disc was from within the program... the wonderful plus is that macrium has really good tutorials about how to make a image backup and restore. that alone makes it my top pick.

[Beev]

I used Macrium Reflect and built a Linux Boot CD. I tried to use the BartPE method and got the message "BartPE is not compatible with Vista", so my only option was to use the Linux method, and it has worked flawlessly for me.

chris.p, there is also an option to build an ISO of the disc, it is under the list of Burners when you sleect which burner to use, have you tried this method, possibly using ImGBurn or whichever burning program you may use.

Yours,
Beev

[Beev]

grimbles, I had my old XP disc and it still wouldnt allow me to build the disc, it just throws up an error saying that BartPE is not compatible with windows Vista, so you cant even build a BartPE Disc from within Macrium Reflect if you are using Vista as you OS.

Yours,
Beev

[chris.p]

Hey Beev,

So you can build an ISO? Hmm, wonder what files or stuff that includes. Is it an ISO of the Linux boot disc? Will have to look at that, next time.

[grimbles]

Originally Posted by Beev

grimbles, I had my old XP disc and it still wouldnt allow me to build the disc, it just throws up an error saying that BartPE is not compatible with windows Vista, so you cant even build a BartPE Disc from within Macrium Reflect if you are using Vista as you OS.

Yours,
Beev

Hey Beev, thanks for that. I must admit to never having tried it personally, just going on what I have read.
Did you have the XP installation disc in the ROM drive prior to starting pebuilder.exe? That would be a must when using Vista.

cheers to you....JIM