Deriving a usable drive image from DriveImage XML 1

[oserdavid]

I've backed up a friend's XP system boot drive C using DriveImage XML 2.0.2. (

http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm).

The reason for doing this is that he is concerned about losing a macroed Access-based program that he cannot replace, although its data is safely backed up.

For want of a better place, I've temporarily used a folder on his original C drive to contain the Driveimage output, consisting of one XML file and a number of .dat files.

The youtube video demo posted by runtime.org (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTEnKA7tOXM)

showed clearly how to use the program - but said that information on how to burn dvd(s) with an image of the backup was to be found on their web site.

Well, it's not. Or if it is, I'm not advanced enough to recognise it.

So.. does anyone know for how to make an appropriate iso (?) image from these files, and burn this onto dvd(s)that can be used to restore to a partition on a new computer?
David

 

[BadBigBen]

Driveimage - Restoration

http://www.tipsfor.us/articles/ghost-windows-xp-for-free/driveimage-restoration/

FAQ:

Q. Can I write the data directly to a CD/DVD?

A. No, you have to write the data to a hard drive first, then if you have chosen multi-file images, you can then burn those files to CD or DVD.

source:

http://www.runtime.org/driveimage_faq.htm#cd

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[oserdavid]

Thanks BadBigBen. I've read the stuff, but I'm too ignorant to understand exactly what I need to do. Not unintelligent, just ignorant.

At the moment my friend now has a directory on his computer containing the DriveImage backup, consisting of one XML file and a number of .dat files.

When he gets a new computer - either through his old one getting trashed by his grandchildren, or stolen or whatever - or simply because he fancies, and he needs to run his bespoke non-replaceable program contained in the DriveImage backup, we will (I now understand) need to create a partition on his new machine which is at least as big as his old C drive, and it will need to be ACTIVE. So far so good. I guess I can find out how to do that on his probably new Windows 7 machine.

But in the meantime, more urgently, before that stage is reached, if ever - what to do with the DriveImage backup files of his XP machine's C drive, to have them on a medium which can be inserted into the DVD drive of his new machine, to be restored to the newly created active partition on the new machine? (Which will then presumably run a copy of his old windows XP. So it will presumably become dual boot? (err.. He does have the Windows XP reg number - I made sure of that)). Or do you have to make sure you first make it dual boot, say, by having two active partitions? Actually, forget that - I'll ask when the time comes, if necessary, if ever. But, in the meantime:

(1)What is this about a BartPE Live CD (DVD?)and how do you create such a thing? OK - I guess I can look that up myself, and just possibly, I may understand it (2) What do you need to burn onto it in addition to the actual BartPE Live stuff? Or do you burn stuff somewhere else for subsequent insertion after removing the BartPE DVD(?).(3) Do you burn the XML file and each of the .dat files onto whatever (answered above, hopefully) you are supposed to burn onto (seems so - but hold my hand, eh)? (4) And does that then constitute a drive image - or do you have to make a drive image from them? If so, how?

I hope you understand where I am coming from, here...
Best
David

 

[BadBigBen]

You'd need to create a DATA DVD(s), e.g. Nero or CDBurnerXP (free), with all the files from that folder...

now to your questions from the last paragraph:

1. info on BartPE and how to can be found [link nu2.nu/pebuilder/]here[/url]

2. See the PLUGINS at the above link...

3. already answered above... ;-)

4. Now, from what I had understood, they do constitute a drive image... but I have never used DriveImage XML, so would not be able to help there further... I prefer Acronis or Paragon, or the free LiveCD with PartImage (Linux) to do my imaging...

as to integrating the image on a new PC, I would not repartition the new drive, instead I would get another drive and image it onto that and then install a seperate Boot loader (grub comes to mind) or have 7even take care of the boot loader...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[oserdavid]

Many thanks Ben
David