Using Macrium Reflect
If you've picked up a computer that I've repaired, you will most likely have a Macrium Reflect image installed on it.
What is Macrium Reflect?
Macrium Reflect is a program that creates a giant file that is a copy of everything on a chosen partition (or hard drive). The purpose is that once you have your computer set up the way you like, you create an "image" of your computer's main drive and in the future, if/when your computer has problems, instead of reinstalling everything one at a time, you can simply restore the image previously made and your computer will be just like it was before. Instead of taking several hours, it can take 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of your image).
Some preparation
Before using Macrium Reflect, one thing you want to make sure is that you have your data files (documents, music, photos, videos, etc) on a different partition than your operating system. Almost always your operating system will be drive "c". If you have partitioned your hard drive, you should also have a drive "d" that is also a hard drive. Don't confuse this with the CD or DVD drive being drive "d". That won't work. Your CD or DVD will need to be "e". If you have partitioned your hard drive, then you should have a hard drive showing up as "d". You need to put all your data files on "d". If you are using Vista or Windows 7, that is a fairly easy process. Check this web site to learn How to change file locations. Once this is done (and if I set up your computer, this has likely already been done), you are ready to create an image or restore an image.
If you need help partitioning a hard drive (not difficult, but easy to mess-up task) check here to Learn how to Partition Your Hard Drive. I use Easeus Partition Master to do this task. It is free.
Once you are all set up....
First, you'll need to Download and Install Macrium Reflect
Second, you'll need to create a Macrium Reflect Rescue Disk
Third, once you've created an image (or have an image already on your computer), you are ready to Restore a Macrium Reflect Image. When you go to this link, the first section shows how to restore individual files or folders, but if you go down a bit, you'll see how to restore a whole image. That's the one you want!.
Here is the link to restore macrium reflect with version 5.
Finally, here is another website that explains How to Use Macrium Reflect.
What is Macrium Reflect?
Macrium Reflect is a program that creates a giant file that is a copy of everything on a chosen partition (or hard drive). The purpose is that once you have your computer set up the way you like, you create an "image" of your computer's main drive and in the future, if/when your computer has problems, instead of reinstalling everything one at a time, you can simply restore the image previously made and your computer will be just like it was before. Instead of taking several hours, it can take 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of your image).
Some preparation
Before using Macrium Reflect, one thing you want to make sure is that you have your data files (documents, music, photos, videos, etc) on a different partition than your operating system. Almost always your operating system will be drive "c". If you have partitioned your hard drive, you should also have a drive "d" that is also a hard drive. Don't confuse this with the CD or DVD drive being drive "d". That won't work. Your CD or DVD will need to be "e". If you have partitioned your hard drive, then you should have a hard drive showing up as "d". You need to put all your data files on "d". If you are using Vista or Windows 7, that is a fairly easy process. Check this web site to learn How to change file locations. Once this is done (and if I set up your computer, this has likely already been done), you are ready to create an image or restore an image.
If you need help partitioning a hard drive (not difficult, but easy to mess-up task) check here to Learn how to Partition Your Hard Drive. I use Easeus Partition Master to do this task. It is free.
Once you are all set up....
First, you'll need to Download and Install Macrium Reflect
Second, you'll need to create a Macrium Reflect Rescue Disk
Third, once you've created an image (or have an image already on your computer), you are ready to Restore a Macrium Reflect Image. When you go to this link, the first section shows how to restore individual files or folders, but if you go down a bit, you'll see how to restore a whole image. That's the one you want!.
Here is the link to restore macrium reflect with version 5.
Finally, here is another website that explains How to Use Macrium Reflect.