Freeware drive image program compatible with Windows 8.1

Hm · 23. Jul 2015, 06:37 PM

Good day All.

Is anyone familiar with a freeware drive imaging program that is compatible with Windows 8.1?

I have tried the latest the versions of Macrium Reflect & AOMEI Backupper & they cannot produce boot-discs that re-start the computer, that includes UEFI & legacy mode options. I have tried all variations without success.

If anyone knows of a program that resolves the above issue please get back to me.

Kind regards.

HM

Joe A.TT · 23. Jul 2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hm

I have tried the latest the versions of Macrium Reflect & AOMEI Backupper & they cannot produce boot-discs that re-start the computer, that includes UEFI & legacy mode options.

I'm not sure what you mean. I use Macrium but I know that I have to turn off Secure Boot in order to boot from the Rescue Disc. Is that what you mean? I haven't used any other imaging program in Windows 8 but I suspect you'd have to turn off Secure Boot for all of them. Secure Boot is a form of built-in protection which prevents unsigned or unauthorized software from booting. Without it, a rootkit could take over your computer.

Hm · 24. Jul 2015, 01:58 PM

Joe,

That's exactly what I mean, many thanks for the update!

Hm.

sicknero · 27. Jul 2015, 10:52 PM

This is interesting ... I run W8.1 and my bootable flash drive boots with no problems. I use Aomie for backup/restore images, I tried it today and it works fine. I noticed though I have no Secure Boot option in BIOS.

I wonder if it makes a difference that I run from multi-boot USB rather than CD. I shall experiment.

Joe A.TT · 27. Jul 2015, 11:02 PM

That's strange Nero. I'm also running Macrium Rescue off a multiboot flash drive which I created with YUMI. I always have to either disable Secure Boot or set my UEFI to Legacy before I can boot to the YUMI menu. There's no Secure Boot in Legacy mode.

In the past, I've ran Macrium Rescue from a CD before I got weary of burning a new CD every so often when new Macrium versions required me to do so, however, it was no different booting from a CD compared to flash drive. For the record, all Macrium Rescue images are always Win PE based and not Linux.

For completeness, this is Microsoft TechNet's description of Secure Boot: http://blogs.technet.com/b/home_is_w...windows-8.aspx

sicknero · 27. Jul 2015, 11:47 PM

I use X-boot but I don't see why it would make a difference.

I looked everywhere in BIOS and couldn't find anything like Secure Boot.

Interesting, I'll see what I can find out about it.

One thing that occurs to me ... I never let Windows create its own partition ... I know W7 always creates a separate system partition of about 100 meg but I don't know about 8.

I didn't read your link yet by the way but thanks for posting it. I'll read it soon : )

I wonder if this is what prevents Secure Boot from being activated on my system.

Joe A.TT · 28. Jul 2015, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sicknero

I looked everywhere in BIOS and couldn't find anything like Secure Boot.

That is twice you said BIOS. Do you have BIOS or UEFI firmware? If you do have UEFI do you have a choice between UEFI and Legacy under Boot options?

sicknero · 28. Jul 2015, 01:23 AM

Ah.. Just BIOS : )

J_L · 28. Jul 2015, 01:52 AM

I just use the built-in imaging, although they hid it pretty well...

Joe A.TT · 28. Jul 2015, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sicknero

Ah.. Just BIOS : )

Ah... well that's why. You won't find Secure Boot in BIOS firmware.

23. Jul 2015, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hm Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6	Freeware drive image program compatible with Windows 8.1 Good day All. Is anyone familiar with a freeware drive imaging program that is compatible with Windows 8.1? I have tried the latest the versions of Macrium Reflect & AOMEI Backupper & they cannot produce boot-discs that re-start the computer, that includes UEFI & legacy mode options. I have tried all variations without success. If anyone knows of a program that resolves the above issue please get back to me. Kind regards. HM

27. Jul 2015, 11:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 926	That's strange Nero. I'm also running Macrium Rescue off a multiboot flash drive which I created with YUMI. I always have to either disable Secure Boot or set my UEFI to Legacy before I can boot to the YUMI menu. There's no Secure Boot in Legacy mode. In the past, I've ran Macrium Rescue from a CD before I got weary of burning a new CD every so often when new Macrium versions required me to do so, however, it was no different booting from a CD compared to flash drive. For the record, all Macrium Rescue images are always Win PE based and not Linux. For completeness, this is Microsoft TechNet's description of Secure Boot: http://blogs.technet.com/b/home_is_w...windows-8.aspx Last edited by Joe A.TT; 27. Jul 2015 at 11:15 PM. Reason: Added more info

28. Jul 2015, 01:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,973	I just use the built-in imaging, although they hid it pretty well... __________________ http://www.t7j7l.blogspot.com/

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24. Jul 2015, 01:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hm Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6	Joe, That's exactly what I mean, many thanks for the update! Hm.

27. Jul 2015, 10:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
sicknero Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: England Posts: 668	This is interesting ... I run W8.1 and my bootable flash drive boots with no problems. I use Aomie for backup/restore images, I tried it today and it works fine. I noticed though I have no Secure Boot option in BIOS. I wonder if it makes a difference that I run from multi-boot USB rather than CD. I shall experiment.

27. Jul 2015, 11:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
sicknero Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: England Posts: 668	I use X-boot but I don't see why it would make a difference. I looked everywhere in BIOS and couldn't find anything like Secure Boot. Interesting, I'll see what I can find out about it. One thing that occurs to me ... I never let Windows create its own partition ... I know W7 always creates a separate system partition of about 100 meg but I don't know about 8. I didn't read your link yet by the way but thanks for posting it. I'll read it soon : ) I wonder if this is what prevents Secure Boot from being activated on my system.

28. Jul 2015, 01:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
sicknero Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: England Posts: 668	Ah.. Just BIOS : )