Windows 7 backup

hi, I am using Windows 7 and have a couple of questions. One, if i make changes to my computer, do i need to make a new system repair disc to use for restoring a backup of a system image? And two, is it ok to use your computer while making a backup?

 

First question: no, you can still use the same repair disk that WIndows 7 creates.
Second question: not a good idea. Let is back up and then do what you want. You can check the system image by mounting it in Disk Management.

http://www.sysprobs.com/restore-files-folders-windows-7-system-image-backup

 

@Halo:
I think in his first question he was asking if he needed to make a new Windows 7 system repair disk each time he changed something on his computer and then decided to create a new image using the Windows 7 system image backup. I do not think you have to do that but maybe I am wrong. Or maybe I misunderstood the question.

 

I guess ppl are assuming from the thread title that you are referring to the backup system that comes with Win 7, but that does not require you to make a system repair disk. So what backup software are you actually using?

 

@Earthling:
If the system is corrupted and is not bootable, you would still need the system repair disk to restore the image that was backed up, correct?

 

Like Halo I normally use Acronis, which does use a system restore disk. However when I tested Win 7 backup, just to see how it compared really, there was no requirement to create a restore disk as you use an installation disk for restoring images. But maybe I'm wrong here, as those with preinstalled Win 7 would still need a means of booting the system in order to restore an image.

Maybe someone who has a preinstalled system and uses Win 7 backup can clarify this.

btw, it doesn't compare at all

EDIT - Halo's link does clarify it

 

Thank you for all the replies! I have restored my computer using a windows 7 system image before. However I changed my video card and I could not restore an image I had made, so I put the old video card back and did a restore. that worked. now I swapped the video card and made a new system image. I was wondering if I needed a new system repair disc as well.

 

The link Halo posted says not, and apparently gives you the option not to ask again. That's consistent with Acronis, where you only need a new rescue disk when using a new build of Acronis. I'm with Halo on this and would recommend a third party imaging program. Then you can have multiple backups without overwriting and restore individual files too, as well as lots more useful features. It's good that MS have finally included imaging capability, but it isn't a great implementation imo.

 

Thank You, I have downloaded Easeus todo backup and will give that a try, thanks again

 

Yeah, i did try todo and I was able to mount and test the image. I also made a bootable cd, I hope I can use this to restore the image in case of hard drive failure.