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Windows 7 - recoverable system image

  • 30-09-2010 09:56AM
    #1
    viboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭


    Hello, my apologies if this has been covered previously. I am wondering if there is a way to create a system image of a windows installation that can be reapplied in the event of a hard disk failure or significant windows error.

    Hopefully, this would include all settings, including windows licence activation that could be reapplied to a replaced / repaired disk.

    Reason being I had previously purchased a PC from adverts.ie that appears to have a legitimate licence, but neither product key or installation media was supplied.

    As a second question, is it possible to recover the product key from a running windows installation. Either by contacting Microsoft or using a software utility.

    Forgive me, I'm much more familiar with OSX and Linux :)

    Thanks,
    Sean


Comments

  • #2
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    Regarding question one:

    You can do so using a variety of software packages, both free and commercially-available. Acronis True Image is a quite decent commercial package, whereas DriveImage XML is available free for personal use.

    Another thing worth checking is the hardware manufacturer of the hard drive/s in your computer. Some storage hardware vendors - eg Maxtor/Seagate - have made arrangements to provide Acronis software for disk imaging in computers with their drives installed. If you have a Maxtor drive, look into Maxtor MaxBlast. If you have a Seagate drive, look for Seagate DiscWizard.

    Regarding question two:

    Yes it can be done, but the tools that can be used to do so are of questionable legitimacy and sometimes flagged as being malicious by antivirus software. A few minutes in Google should be enough to point you in the right direction. Microsoft will most probably not provide you with the licence keys or installation media.


  • #3
    viboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭viboy


    Thanks, am giving DriveImage XML a whirl.
    Fysh wrote: »
    Regarding question one:

    You can do so using a variety of software packages, both free and commercially-available. Acronis True Image is a quite decent commercial package, whereas DriveImage XML is available free for personal use.

    Another thing worth checking is the hardware manufacturer of the hard drive/s in your computer. Some storage hardware vendors - eg Maxtor/Seagate - have made arrangements to provide Acronis software for disk imaging in computers with their drives installed. If you have a Maxtor drive, look into Maxtor MaxBlast. If you have a Seagate drive, look for Seagate DiscWizard.

    Regarding question two:

    Yes it can be done, but the tools that can be used to do so are of questionable legitimacy and sometimes flagged as being malicious by antivirus software. A few minutes in Google should be enough to point you in the right direction. Microsoft will most probably not provide you with the licence keys or installation media.


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