System Image Restore Problems
Was trying to repair my main computer which is considerably better than the replacement I’ve been using. Specifically I was installing a new hard drive to replace the corrupt one that keeps crashing. This involves restoring a system image that I had created earlier; I tried to do this but the system did not recognise my backup. I looked for a solution on the web but haven’t been able to find one so far. I however did find a good description of the problem:
I am trying to restore a backup system image to my repaired PC. It is wiped clean. I have the “Repair Disc Windows 7 64 Bit” that I created in Windows 7. Using Windows 7 Backup I have a system image backup on an external WD Essentiasl 1TB USB Hard Drive.
I insert the Repair Disc and start the system. Get to System Recoevery Options. I have the external Hard Disk with the system backup image connected. Select System Image Recovery option. Says “Windows cannot find a system image on this computer. Attach the backup hard disk or insert the final DVD from a bckup set and click retry. Alternatively, close this dialog for more options. Retry gives me the same message. Tried starting with drive attached, not attached, same result. Click cancel.
Next option selected is “Select a system image.” No system image listed. Hit refresh, still nothing. Top of screen says “Click Advanced to add a network location or install a driver for a backup device if it does not show up in the list below.” I click on the Advanced tab. Option to “Search for a system image on the network” or “Install a driver.” I select install a driver. Find the right driver for the WD Essential hard drive (disk.sys and partmgr.sys) and when I click on them I get “The specified location does not contain information about your hardware.” Click OK. Can’t find how to load these drivers I am being asked for.
Funny thing is that on the screen where I search for driver I can see the WD Essential Hard Drive connected to the system. I can also see the system image files but when I click on them I get the same error message, “The specified location does not contain information about your hardware.”
Please HELP. This is very frustrating!!!
One thought on “System Image Restore Problems”
I gave up with system images for similar reasons. System images depend on software and repair discs ETC, and so for me introduce more likelihood of screw-up. A system image is excellent for the network managers who keep a system image and reproduce many “clones”. for me I just keep backups , copy data onto hard drives – not as often as i should. takes more time, takes more space, and rather euphemistically feels more real!! If I keep the windows, the installation files and the backup drives – 2, I hope I am safe – even if it takes best part of a day to get the computer back up.