Windows 7: External HDD not recognised when creating a system image

Hi guys



I am trying to create a system image ready for installing a larger HDD (WD20EARX), but when using the Windows 7 wizard, the drive, Buffalo 500 USB External HDD, is not in the drop down selection box. The drive is there OK and can use it OK for normal work and there is over 450GB available. My original HDD is 160GB.

Can anyone help, or suggest actions?

MTIA - Ken

Is the Buffalo 500 USB External HDD format in NTFS.

Hi Theog

Many thanks for your reply.

Yes, it is in NTFS. Was one of the first things I checked. I also checked all the connections, even though I can access the drive form any program that I have data stored, i.e. Word. Opened up the files OK. At present, I have totally disconnected and will check it out in a while, though this has been like it for some time now - at least 3 days.

If it doesn't work, it looks like I may have to install the new HDD first. Bit annoyed about that too. It arrived today, but no SATA lead was included.

I have tried to use the Buffalo in the past as a back up, but have always got an error message: 'Windows encountered an internal error. Review your back up settings. (0x81000027)'. so whether that has got something to do with it, or whether there is a fault with the HDD, I don't know.

Ken

Well, that's got THAT problem sorted.

I tried seeing if the tool recognised a USB Flash Drive and it did. So, thinking even harder, I suspected the lead, though the computer recognised the external drive. I swapped the USB lead with my printer's lead, being the same type and the drive was recognised. I made saved an image of my hard drive, checked that it all went through OK. Seems to be, so, I swapped the leads back again, tried again and got the same result. The application didn't recognise the external drive, so looks like I'll have to get a new lead.

Ken