SOLVED How to ensure 8.1 revert from Win 10

[George Cucak]

I will be upgrading from Win 8.1 to Win 10 in the near future.
I'm trying to get advice on how to prepare 8.1 to ensure
that if Win 10 fails or if the "revert to 8.1" fails, I can recover
my 8.1 system.
I presume I'll need a system image and a recovery disk
but i'm not sure of the best way to do that.

 

[Trouble]

Hello George and welcome to the forum.
https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/please-for-your-own-peace-of-mind.794/
My personal recommendation is Acronis True Image.
There's a free trial but I think it is only good for 10 or 15 days.
Be sure and create the rescue boot media as soon as you install so your have a CD to boot from and then create a full disk image. Use "Switch to Disk Mode".
Personally I like to do my images offline, exclusively using the rescue media to launch the program that way and perform my tasks.

 

[George Cucak]

Thanks for the quick responnse Trouble, it helped a lot.
It shows me I'm on the right track.
I'm weak in the area of using a rescue media since I've never
done that before and I'm not sure what you mean by doing
"images on offline, exclusively using the rescue media to launch the program that way and perform my tasks".
Would you please elaborate on the above or perhaps point me
to a link that would explain the process?
Thanks again,
George

 

[Trouble]

I'm weak in the area of using a rescue media since I've never
done that before and I'm not sure what you mean by doing
"images on offline

Remember now I'm speaking of Acronis True Image (the product that I use for such things.
I assume that most of the other offerings from other companies have something similar.
When you install Acronis on your system, one of the features in the program under Tools and Utilities is something called "Rescue Media Builder".
That is what you use to create a CD, with which you can boot your system and run the Acronis Program from.
It will boot into a simple small and fast version of the program and that's what I use often to perform my disk imaging.
I prefer it that way, because the Operating System and other programs are not running and competing for system resources, and......
I have it in my head that there is less chance of the backup being corrupted as a result of an open file lock or other potential busy bits among the numerous background processes and threads.

By the way coincidentally enough......
Newegg is showing the download version today for $19.99, which is a pretty good price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832200070&cm_re=acronis-_-32-200-070-_-Product

 

[George Cucak]

Hi Trouble,
Thanks for explaining how you use the Acronis backup/imaging/recovery
process. If I understand it correctly, it looks very solid.
The special deal on Acronis you pointed me to was great $19.99).
I went ahead and bought it with the intent of using it the same way
you described.
Haven't installed and studied it yet but I'm hoping I'll be able to see
how the offline technique you use can be employed.
Many thanks for your help,
George

 

[George Cucak]

Hi Trouble,
I've installed and use Acronis TI 2015 and think it's terrific.
Using "Rescue Media Builder", I created a CD with which I can boot the system and run the Acronis Program offline.

My problem is finding the best way to change the boot order to run
from a CD in win 8.1 (which I currently use on HP) so I can run Acronis.
I have two links here of many that I've looked at, that seem to do the job but
but seem quite extensive.
1) HP's start from a bootable CD:
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03659945

2)Win 8.1 change boot order:
https://grok.lsu.edu/Article.aspx?articleId=17376

Can you recommend one of the above or point me to a simpler process.
Do you let Acronis run at startup or disable it?
Also, is there a way to test the recovery wihout actually doing it
on the drives involved.
You're advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
George

 

[Trouble]

#1, without even looking at the links you provided, most HP computers (from a dead stop, OFF) will either respond to the ESC key or the F9 key to select or evoke the Boot Menu and from there you should be able to select your optical drive containing your Acronis Rescue Media.

#2. I will almost always create a text file which contains simple dates in a folder in the root of my drive(s) and or partitions called TestBkup.
Before creating a new image, I will edit that text file to reflect todays date, by simply adding another line and saving.
After the image is done and before disconnecting my external media that contains the .tib file(s), I simply browse to their location, right click the latest, select True Image -> Archive -> Mount
Then choose the partition(s) contained in the image that I want to explore pick a drive letter or let acronis assign it and examine my latest edit to my text file using File Explorer.

 

[Trouble]

Acronis 2014 which I use on my computer has 3 services that by default start automatically.
You can see them in
services.msc
Acronis Nonstop Backup Service I set that to manual
Acronis Scheduler2 Service I leave that one alone and set to Automatic
Acronis Sync Agent Service I set that to manual.
If yours is different let me know. I'd have to go upstairs and check my wife's computer. I'm running 2015 on her's but I think they are practically identical in that respect.

 

[George Cucak]

Hi Trouble,
Many thanks for the response and excellent advice you've generously
provided me. I believe I can actually implement a procedure as you
describe it and know it's a sound method. I really needed help in this area..
You also saved me big bucks turning me on to that Newegg sale on Acronis.
Your method of testing the System Image/restore gave me great relief.

Since this is a General Discussion forum, I don't know if it's proper to
mark this solved or not. As far as I'm concerned it's solved.

Regards,
George

 

[George Cucak]

Hi Trouble,

I’m moving along in setting up a procedure to use Acronis offline.
If I understand your previous instructions (below) correctly….

[#2. I will almost always create a text file which contains simple dates in a folder in the root of my drive(s) and or partitions called TestBkup.
Before creating a new image, I will edit that text file to reflect todays date, by simply adding another line and saving.
After the image is done and before disconnecting my external media that contains the .tib file(s), I simply browse to their location, right click the latest, select True Image -> Archive -> Mount
Then choose the partition(s) contained in the image that I want to explore pick a drive letter or let acronis assign it and examine my latest edit to my text file using File Explorer.]

…you allocate a partition called TestBkup.
My question is what size do you use in the allocation and where do you allocate it?
Also, do you do a test recovery to a test area to see if it works?

By the way, I upgraded to 2016 since it’s supposed to have Win 10 features
and I intend to get to Win 10 soon.

Thanks for any help on this.
George

 

[Trouble]

…you allocate a partition called TestBkup.

Nope.... you misunderstood.
I simply create a text file in the root of my existing partitions that way after the image is finished I can simply open that text file from the image (.tib) file and make sure that the proper edit is reflect and viewable. It is essential (I believe) to make sure that the backup is viable and this is my simple way of testing it. There is nothing worse than thinking you have a backup and it turns out to be worthless.

Also, do you do a test recovery to a test area to see if it works?

No I do not do a test recovery. I simply right click the image file and select
True Image -> Archive -> Mount
After it is mounted as and gets a drive letter I simply browse the mounted drive, examine my Text file, maybe open an image or two and usually play a music file just to be sure it's a serviceable backup.

By the way, I upgraded to 2016 since it’s supposed to have Win 10 features

Just saw that today.
I am using 2014 on my Windows 10 Computer and 2015 on my wife's Windows 10 computer. Both seem to be functioning fine, although I will almost certainly, at some point, purchase at least one upgrade.
Just so I can play with it.

 

[George Cucak]

Thanks Trouble.
It's all clear now. I appreciate your help.
Regards,
George