BitImage

A BitImage is an exact image of all data areas on the source disk, including free and unused areas. BitImages are best suited for data recovery or for forensic images. More information on the BitImage mode of operation can be found in the Image Formats section.

Note: BitImages contain the same data as FullImages (including Copy free areas). For FullImages a special file format is used, which optimally supports the features specific to the program.

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fig. 1: Main screen

Source

Select the disk you wish to use as source for the image. For more information on how to choose a disk, see the section on disk selection.

Partitions

The layout of the partitions on the source disk will be displayed in a bar below the disk selection dropdown.

Additional Details and Settings

Access Additional Details and Settings via the button (fig. 2), where you will find technical information about the source as well as these options:

• Unlock HPA: unlock HPA in order to include the data contained therein in the copy.
• Remove HPA+DCO: remove HPA and DCO in order to include its data in the copy. This will permanently change the HPA and DCO configuration for the source disk.
• HotCopy/LiveImage (HDClone/W only): choose an option for access from the HotCopy/LiveImage dropdown.

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fig. 2: Additional information and options for the source

Image

Specify the target file where you wish to store the SmartImage by entering the file path or by browsing via the button.

To create a compressed image, select a compression type. Compression can only be applied to SmartImages, FullImages and HDClone BitImages (*.MFI und *.IMG).

Advanced Settings

In addition to the basic settings, there are Advanced Options … to choose from Options (fig. 3).

• Split image: the image can be split into multiple files when the maximum extent size is reached.
• Access Protection: enter a password and choose an encryption to protect the image. You may choose between AES 128 and AES 256 to encrypt.

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fig. 3: Advanced settings

Options

The Options section offers general possibilities for the image process.

• Verify Image Data: in a verification run, the completed image will be compared to the source to ensure that the contents precisely match.
• SafeRescue for faulty media: in the event of read errors, the faulty areas will be re-read following termination of the copying process by applying special data rescue strategies.

Shut Down Computer Automatically

You can choose to have the computer shut down automatically after the copying process. Specify the scenario after which the computer is supposed to be shut down:

• Only after an error-free process: the computer will only be shut down if absolutely no errors occurred during the process.
• Even after a partially successful process: the computer will be shut down if errors occurred during the process that did not impact the success of the result
• In any event: The computer will be shut down even if the process was completed with errors.

In any case, a report will be stored automatically.

Advanced Options

In addition to the options above, there are Advanced Options … to choose from.

• FastCopy: A special algorithm that accelerates the copying speed
• Limit speed: Reduces the writing speed, as the level of HDClone's performance may lead to excessive strain on some of the faster SSD models.
• Sector Area: To create a Partial Area Copy, determine the sector area by entering the start offset and the target offset.