Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

I installed the latest beta version on my Win 8.1 system with no problems, except when it came to creating the recovery media (error 31).

However, i tried the recovery media i created for version 1.20.xx. It booted into the PE environment and i was able to see the snapshots created. I did not try to see if there would be any problems restoring to a previous snapshot.

Has anyone tried using a recovery CD from an earlier version with the 1.3.0.7 beta version? I'm assuming since i was able to boot using the CD and that i could see the snapshots created that i would have no problem restoring my system to any snapshot using that CD.

 

AC, that's a correct assumption. The snapshot format hasn't changed, and the only thing you may be missing is the perceived speedup of the RESTORE using the new v1.3.0.7 BROWSER module on the RECOVERY CD (during recovery, it's probably the same speed)

 

Froggie,

Danke sehr herr! (Google translation time!)

One question, i didn't understand when you said "the only thing you may be missing is the perceived speedup of the RESTORE using the new v1.3.0.7 BROWSER module on the RECOVERY CD"

Wouldn't the browser on the CD be the 1.1.20 version not the 1.3.0.7 one

OR, are you talking about the actual 1.3.0.7 version of the browser on a CD if i was able to make one??

 

I currently save my restore folder on D drive which is hard drive #2 internally. Is it possible to have it located on my external drive and if so how would you restore from there? When you boot into recovery will it let you specify where the backup is located Here is the reason to back up to external. This virus called crypto locker is able to attack all drives you would have inside your box and thus make it impossible to recover with AX64 as all the files would be encrypted.Thanks.

 

Files targeted are those commonly found on most PCs today; a list of file extensions for targeted files include:
3fr, accdb, ai, arw, bay, cdr, cer, cr2, crt, crw, dbf, dcr, der, dng, doc, docm, docx, dwg, dxf, dxg, eps, erf, indd, jpe, jpg, kdc, mdb, mdf, mef, mrw, nef, nrw, odb, odm, odp, ods, odt, orf, p12, p7b, p7c, pdd, pef, pem, pfx, ppt, pptm, pptx, psd, pst, ptx, r3d, raf, raw, rtf, rw2, rwl, srf, srw, wb2, wpd, wps, xlk, xls, xlsb, xlsm, xlsx


AX64 TM backups are stored as .axb and .asd.

 

Yes to all your questions.
For "how...?", just browse for it

 

Hi there,

If you have computer without Windows 8.1, you can create the Recovery Media v1.3.0.7 on that computer and use it on the Windows 8.1 computer.

Isso has confirmed the above will work.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

WinRE vs WinPE​

Hi Isso,

Have you consider having WinPE instead of WinRE and doing away with having problems creating WinRE "Recovery Media" for AX64 under Windows 8.1

In the olden days, one needed a 3.7GB WIAK download and installation for Windows 7 or 4.0GB WADK download and installation for Windows 8.1 for creating WinPE.

However, in these days and age, only a onetime 348MB download is required to create the WinPE. You are aware that WinPE is a better solution than WinRE as it contains the latest drivers. This is the preferred solution used by Macrium Reflect.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Manny and others who would want to create a bootable AX Recovery USB disk using YUMI, here's a quick guide "how to...":

This works in Win XP to 7; haven't checked it in 8...

First dowload YUMI from http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/

Format your USB disk in NTFS.

Next, instead of attempting to make a bootable disk directly by the system, choose in AX64 Create Recovery Media window "ISO file" option to create an ISO file on your local drive. When requested, insert your Windows instalation DVD disk as its PE files (Preinstalled Environment) need to be copied from it. The finished AX64 ISO will be handled by you as follows.

Insert your USB disk, let the system read it and next run YUMI. In the drive drop-down box select your USB disk drive letter. Leave Format checkbox unchecked as it would enforce formatting the disk in FAT32. Next click on "Select a Distribution...", scroll down to almost the last offer at the bottom selecting "Try Unlisted ISO (Grub)". Use browse button to identify and load your ISO file. Next click Create. In about a minute, possibly less, you'll be done.

When booting from this disk YUMI will load its multiboot graphical menu. It has its own mouse drivers so your mouse will be recognized and functional. Choose menu "Directly Bootable ISOs...", select "Boot AX_Recovery.iso". It will be loaded.

The beauty of this approach is that you may create a folder on this USB disk (why not call it AXTM) and place in it your AX64 image backup file(s), freely updating them (adding, deleting as need be) later. Use AX Browser to navigate into this folder - it would be able to see and use this backup.

That's all. Hope it works for you!

 

Thank you. That's nice of you to post this. Unfortunately the Windows install disk is becoming a dinosaur. I don't have one since my laptop came with an image of Win 8 in recovery partition. How do you think one can work around this little dilemma?

 

You're right of course but for my situation a flash drive is ideal and I don't mind purchasing it.

I certainly would like to see if it's possible. I don't see any reasons why it shouldn't work since you can point AX64 to a recovery folder anywhere it's located. In principle I should be able to create recovery media on a flash drive and then create that initial system backup image on that drive as well. I wish I could test that theory.

I do have enough flash drives so that I can do what I want [which is transfer my Win8 system from a platter drive to an SSD should it be necessary with my downgrade to Win 7] with two of them but I just wanted it all contained in one really so I could keep track of it easier. It's just a matter of finding uninterrupted time to do this since retired guys are awful busy with "stuff."

 

I believe the problem with this isn't technical but money. I seem to recall that WinPE requires the purchase of a license for every single piece of software sold that includes it. That's coming from the dusty corners of the little grey cells and could be totally off.

 

Hi Manny,

The money comes in if they give you WinPE already made, which didn't require any download of 4.0GB. Macrium Reflect use to give their PAID customers the WinPE even Microsoft was charging them. One WinPE for each license. Whereas, IFW gave you the plugins and required you a download of 4.0GB.

But then Microsoft raised the price too much. Now both Macrium Reflect and IFW give you the plugins to built it yourself, which requires a download of 340MB. In the olden days it required a download of 4.0GB.

Macrium Reflect plugins are built into their program, whereas IFW give you separate plugins apart from IFW program. A separate download for the plugins.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Here are the plugins for Terabyte IFW to build your own WinPE:

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/howto/tbwinpe_tutorial.htm

No longer a download of 4.0GB is required, only 340MB.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Thanks. I didn't know that it could be done that way. I gotta say though that's a complex procedure that I bet most customers of AX64 really wouldn't want to go through. Still, a very neat way of getting at building that environment.

 

You are welcome. Instead of automatically building the WinRE, the customers will do the same with WinPE. So, no rocket science is involved here. Macrium Reflect does it all automatically, including the 340MB download. However, some might balk about the 340MB download.

Microsoft has removed two files from Windows 8.1, and therefore it is not possible to build AX64 Recovery Media (WinRE) in Windows 8.1. So, I was giving Isso a solution till he finds something else. IFW gives one the plugins for both WinRE and WinPE and let the customer to choose what they want to do. I build both.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Du bist willkommen, mein Kind!

Last question... yes.

Some of the users of the latest BETA (v1.3.0.7) have noticed what appears to be a bit of a speedup in LIVE RESTORE operations when using the newest BROWSER. I don't know for a fact the same speedup would be seen if you were able to make a v1.3.0.7 RECOVERY CD. But regardless, any previous version of the RECOVERY CD (since the "ofishul" release of v1.1.0.996) should work just fine. The WinRE.wim version used during the making of the RECOVERY CD will have a lot to do with what hardware drivers are supported during the RECOVERY CD operation... the newer, the better.

 

The above list from Jryder54 resulted from the original versions of CryptoLocker when it first appeared. Different file extensions have been added/subtracted along the way depending on whose CryptoLocker you get nailed with.

That being said, so far no image product extensions have been yet targeted... and as such, you should be able to restore any AX64 backup you have squirreled away... and probably even use a LIVE RESTORE to do so (but, there's always the RECOVERY environment if that fails for some reason).

 

I really LIKE that avatar

 

Here are the WinRE plugins for Terabyte IFW:

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/howto/tbwinre_tutorial.htm

Previously, I posted the WinPE plugins for Terabyte IFW in the above post #5665. However, if one installs Windows 8.1 without upgrading from Windows 8, one cannot build the WinRE for IFW as two files are missing from Windows 8.1. Microsoft took out two files to build the WinRE in Windows 8.1.

Best regards,

Mohamed

 

Thanks to you, my good man, I mean frog

 

I do love this place.

Acadia

 

I really like this software but im still getting major slowdowns browsing folders while a backup is being made. Also the mouse lags. Win 8.1 here (was the same in Win8 but not in Win7 when i tried it there, same pc config).

 

Someone else said it earlier, but, for me, when any image or backup program is operating on my computer, I let it do it's thing and don't try to do any real work other than maybe playing solitaire or hearts.