First timer when it comes partitioning a hard drive...i.e. clueless

Thanks, for the links...In the end I did find Disable Windows 10 Spying - Privacy & Security
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kGMCfb2xw, and I found this utility by Safer-networking.org

 

I have been busy, and have not been able to post until now.

I followed your instructions, and it appears to have been a success.

 

Brian,

I hadn't done anything for the past week except create an initial IFW backup, and then download and install Opera browser. Also, Zemana AntiMalware portable. Earlier, this evening I opened IFW and to update the backup that I did last week. Anyway, I have got something, but I have no idea whether it is a differential or incremental backup. See screenshots, one of which is showing the original backup done on July 3, and a further backup tonight.

 

Tarnak,

All OK. It is a differential backup image.

Differentials are changes only backups based on a previous Full backup.
Incrementals are changes only backups based on a previous changes only backup.

 

Brian,

Oh, OK. I had been expecting to see in the GUI, either differential or incremental as a choice.


Now, if I was going to restore which of the 'two' backups would I select? Or, am I misunderstanding?

 

Tarnak,

You have to make the choice as to whether you want a differential or an incremental. I create differentials on a daily basis. How long you keep out of date differentials is up to you. I delete differentials older than 10 days.

You would select the differential (which will probably be your most recent backup image). The IFW/IFL/IFD program will automatically find the full backup image.

Which boot disk do you plan to use for restores?

 

Brian,

I have been wading through some of the older threads in the ''backup, imaging & disk mgmt' sub-forum, here. And, from what I understand 'differential' is the safer choice. So, I think that is the way to go for me.

OK, but if I select the second of the two image backups, how does it restore correctly. Since the 'differential' is the smaller one. See my screenshot, above. Forgive me, if I sound dense, but I find it hard to get my head around.

You got me! ..."Which boot disk do you plan to use for restores?" I didn't know I had to use a boot disk! I thought IFW restored from within the program GUI...

 

Tarnak,

To restore, you only have to select the differential backup. IFW will use both backups.

You can't restore the OS partition while you are in Windows. It must be done outside Windows. You can make IFW, IFL or IFD boot disks. IFD is slow and I don't use it. Here are instructions for creating a TBWinRE boot disk (IFW)...

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

I use this step...

Creating the boot disk is easier than it looks. I prefer creating USB flash drive media rather than CDs. UFDs are faster to load and you can add files to the UFD at a later stage.

 

Make sure you have your Full backup and all differential backups in the same folder. So no matter which differential you choose, IFW will be able to find the Full backup when you do a restore. If you have the Full backup in a different folder there will be an extra step in the IFW restore procedure. You will be asked for the path to the Full backup.

 

I have the two backups on a USB, but thay aren't in a folder. So, it might be advisable to make a folder, and name it IFW backup, for example.

I don't have CD-DVD drawer in the laptop, anyway. So, it will have to be a UFD drive, since I have two ports for USB in the laptop. How many GB's [minimum] do I need for creating the boot disk? I will buy a new stick just for booting.

 

That's OK. In the root or in a folder is OK. As long as they are together.

You only need a 1 GB UFD. I doubt you can buy one that small anymore. Get the smallest available as the files on the UFD only total around 350 MB. But it doesn't matter if you use a large UFD as you can use the Free Space on the UFD for storing other files. You can even have your images on that same bootable TBWinRE UFD.

I'm not suggesting you do this but you can make your USB external HD bootable. It will boot into TBWinRE and be able to access your backups. Maybe later.

 

Even if you only had one USB port it would still work. Boot the TBWinRE UFD. Once you are in IFW you can remove the the UFD and plug in your USB external HD. IFW will continue to run in RAM.

 

I think 4 GB's is about the smallest you can buy these days. So, I will go to the Post Office, later today. They usually have some for under 10 dollars. or so.

How, do I make the laptop access the UFD as it is booting up, on Windows 10? I know if I have something in the CD_DVD drawer, that on my XP desktop it will come up and ask if I want to boot, or otherwise access from that.

P.S. I have to go out now, so I will catch up with you, later.

 

Try this with your TBWinRE UFD. Let us know if it works.

 

I have managed to get some time to continue, but I am not sure whether I have completed instructions correctly:

Spoiler

 

Screenshots look good.

 

I have looked, but I can find no file or folder on the UFD.... So, I don't know if is OK for use.

 

I booted up earlier this evening with the IFD stick, and opened IFW, but wasn't sure which option I was supposed to go with. I decided not go further until I had further information and confirmation, and whether the drives showing in the 2nd screenshot looked OK.

 

Tarnak,

I've been away fishing and missed your 17 July post. Does the TBWinRE UFD work?

 

Brian,

It is the first time in about two weeks that I fired up the new Surface Book. I know that it shows up as per the second of the two screenshots, in my previous post, and that when I was booting the laptop, and logged in with my password, the USB drive light was flashing, intermittently. Does that mean it is working, properly? Is there a check I can perform to verify, that it is safe to use?

 

It should boot into TBWinRE in a minute or two. Did you wait for a few minutes?

As per Post #39, you should see a Boot Menu. Choose the USB choice. If you are logging in with your password you have missed the boot menu.

I note your D: drive is TBWinRE. Right click the D: drive in Windows and click Properties. What is the Used Space? What is the Free Space?

 

No, because the login showed up almost immediately.

I see, so it looks like I made a mistake.

 

Your TBWinRE UFD is empty. Strange as it has the TBWinRE label. It should contain around 400 MB of files.

Can you make another TBWinRE UFD and get back to us?

 

Whenever, I get involved with something that I am apprehensive about, i.e. something new, like IFW...you can be sure that I will stuff it up, somehow.

P.S. I took some screenshots when following your instructions for making the TBWinRe UFD. ...quite a few, actually that may show where I went wrong. So, I could post them in the Wilders' Image Gallery thread, if you wish to see them.

 

TBWinRE should be easy. Double click TBWinPE.exe in the C:\Program Files (x86)\TeraByte Unlimited\Image for Windows\V2\tbwinre folder, choose TBWinRE, add your license information and follow instructions.