Quick questions

[esox07]

Yah, I am having all kinds of problems trying to create a boot flash USB stick. I can't seem to get my computer to boot to it and when it seems like it is, it just throws up a blank blue screen (not BSOD), but just a blank blue screen and sits there. Does it matter which USB port you use?

[admin]

Yah, I am having all kinds of problems trying to create a boot flash USB stick.  I can't seem to get my computer to boot to it and when it seems like it is, it just throws up a blank blue screen (not BSOD), but just a blank blue screen and sits there.  Does it matter which USB port you use?

It doesn't usually matter which port you use, however we do recommend that you try other ports and try using another USB drive.

[esox07]

OK, thank you.
I have tried other ports and couple different usb drives. I will keep trying.
Thanks.

[esox07]

Alright guys. I am getting there. I finally figured out how to boot to my USB emergency flash drive. I realized I have to wait 4-5 minutes for the recovery screen to appear once it goes to the blank blue screen. Now, my question is regarding creating a backup.

Do I create a manual full backup to start and then set up regular scheduled incremental back ups? Or can I just set up an incremental backup where it will automatically do a full backup the first time it runs?

[Froggie]

What you said... (Para #2).

The long wait may be due to your network configuration.  I experienced the same thing when my PC was connected through an ETHERNET switch.  I never figured out how to modify their WinPE to eliminate, or shorten, that timeout... I just disconnected from the switch when I use the external UFD.

[esox07]

Thanks Froggie. So, I can just set up a scheduled incremental backup and the first time it runs, it will do a full backup? Is that right?

[Froggie]

When you set up the task, it will generate your 1st image (a FULL) for you.  If during the setup, you set up a scheduled INC then that's all it'll do for you as your timeline moves on.

But I don't know what kind of image mgmt you'd like to explore... that will really decide how much and what kind of scheduling/retention you really need.

[esox07]

OK Thanks Froggie.
I have it set for sixty days retention with weekly incremental backups. The initial ones are done and used about 60% of my 1TB backup drive. I figure the weekly increments will be fairly small.

One other question I have. Do I need to do a disk image backup in case the drive totally dies and I need to swap in a brand new blank one? Or will the regular System backup work for that?

[Froggie]

Depends on what else you may have on that "System Disk." If you don't have any additional partitions other than the 4 that an UEFI Windows build usually produce, the System Disk backup will suffice for restoration purposes.  BUT... if you have some other OEM "return to the out-of-box" partition OR possibly an additional DATA partition, they'll be missing unless you do a full Disk/Partition Backup.

Most users who adopt imaging as their System Protection method usually have no use for those  "return to the out-of-box" partitions... at least I never did.