Win7 network backup

[wainuitech]

Originally Posted by SolMiester

Yes, I use Windows 7 backup & Image to backup TO a network! Are you saying the Windows 7 backup wont allow you to backup to a network location?

If Gary is using Windows 7 Home Premium, then that wont back up to a network location with the W7 backup. It only has the options of to another Hard Drive, or DVD's.

WinPE will though.

[SolMiester]

Originally Posted by wainuitech

If Gary is using Windows 7 Home Premium, then that wont back up to a network location with the W7 backup. It only has the options of to another Hard Drive, or DVD's.

WinPE will though.

Ahhhh, forgot how Home Premium is crippled!

[gary67]

Yep Home pre never mind backing up an image to my D then backing that up with Syncback to my back up storage device

[wainuitech]

There is a Better option, and not using WinPE- it DOES work on Windows 7 Home Pre (or any other OS for that matter) over a network.

Not free but it does work. Its called Active@disk Image. Personally I use the Active@bootDisk -- Its got a load of programs, Imaging, Password Changing only to list a few, GOOD value for money

Teh Demo of the boot disk works for 10 Days on the imaging side - long enough to try it. The password changer wont let you actually change the password until paid for.

I just did a timed test - a fresh install of W7 HP to a networked PC, Booted from the CD - 15 minutes to image the drive -- then wiped the drive, Booted from the CD again and imaged it back over the LAN -- took 17 Minutes from empty drive to fully back up and going again - all updates/ Programs the lot.

IF you want to give it a try -- let me know back here -- theres a few "tricks' that took a while to figure out that will save you lots of as to Imaging over a LAN.

[gary67]

Will have a look into it, $39 US is not expensive either. Just out of interest what is the name of the data recovery software you use I have forgotten it

[wainuitech]

never actually used the standalone Diskimage -- always used the BootableCD as linked, since it has several other programs I use all the time as well.

The disk image does do a good job when imaging to a USB drive.

Finally figured out yesterday how to use the program to a Networked Drive (the instructions are not exactly clear) I will put together some instructions and post back to save you the hassle of figuring it out.

Stay tuned as they say.

The recovery software I use a lot, is GetDataBack -- Once again not free, but does a damn good job, better than all the others I have tried (free ones)

[gary67]

That would be much appreciated, just worked out it would only cost $52NZ so possibly next week will get onto it

[wainuitech]

Part ONE:

Right -- downloaded the actual stand alone program ( demo) installed it -- Works sweet over the LAN, nothing really to explain -- Basic enough to work out.

About the only thing you need to do is select the complete drive when imaging W7, as it also contains the system partition As shown here -- Imaging the drive over the LAN as I type this -- 8 Minutes.

The only thing I'm not to sure about is the Bootable media to image it back, The description says it comes with it, but its not available on the trial version in the stand alone program, so maybe it is when you pay for it -- BUT download the installer and bootable CD under the main download. 123MB. -- That contains the actual disk image program (demo) and bootable CD creator -- Downloading that now and will make a CD to see whats what.

You need the CD--- lets say you have a blank drive, you need that to boot from and pull back the image.

The Screen shot from their site shows the menu, it has the network option which can be the tricky part.

Going to wipe drive and image it back now.

[wainuitech]

Part two:

The backup Via the CD is exactly the same as the bootable CD I mentioned in the original suggestion, The other download I suggested 123MB, which contains both the Program and CD both come with the 21 day demo.

Any way -it works.

Wouldn't it rip ya undies -- I was going to put in screen shots to show what I'm about to write -- Bloody battery in the camera is dead

Only managed to get one screen shot from the actual imaging program, and saved it over the LAN, BUT had to connect it first.--heres how:

You have to do this to drag the image back over a LAN.

Boot from the CD:

• Start - Network -- Open network Configurator

On the following tabs -- Network Identification (change your workgroup to what yours is)

Firewall Tab - Turn off.

Click Set ( wait a second or two) then apply. Close window.

• Start - Network - Map Network drive

In letter -- leave as is or select another - doesn't matter.

( the part that GRRRR me; On the words: " Connect using a different User name" open it and type in the name the PC is using that you want to connect to Example (mine) User Name: Server Password: ----------

In the Folder path TYPE in the location, (mines in a folder called test on the server Example: \\Server\Test

Click OK etc.

Assuming that's all OK you have now mapped the shared folder.

Click start / Programs / Disk Image -- Image to Disk - in the folder, click Browse, Drop Down Box select your mapped drive -- Navigate to the image - keep clicking Next -- Till you get to This option - Select the lot - next etc, and it will start to image back -- go make a cuppa.

It may sound a little daunting, but its not once you figure it out. Takes longer to write and read this garble than to actually do

What I'll do is get some more batteries tomorrow and make a short video - then I'll post a link so you can see its quite easy.

[gary67]

Your a legend Thanks very much your time is appreciated. Downloading now and will try it out tomorrow sometime after doing my chores and going for a ride