Windows 7: Problem recoverying from backup via USB 3.0 external drive

Hi, I tried to backup and recovery in win 7 via USB 3.0 external drive but it always says it can't find the system image. Is that because Win 7 does not load USB 3.0 driver during startup? I have tried many systems with USB 3.0 port but they are all the same. If I plug the extension drive to a USB 2.0 port just after the message below pop up, the recovery will see the system image. It's like the USB 3.0 port is not working at all. Pls help.

Where is the system image?

I think Windows Backup likes it to be in the root of the drive and with the original name---not relocated.

Most likely.
How to load drivers in Windows Recovery:
SATA drivers - Load in Windows System Image Recovery

You need to load the USB 3 Host Controller and Hub drivers at the beginning of the restore process. Then the reimage software should see the disk and image.
With Windows imaging you go to the load driver option and select the 2 appropriate *.inf files.

Also,
I use WD MyBook Essentials usb2/3 HDDs. Even when the drivers are installed, you may need to wake the HDD up by physically disconnecting HDD power and USB the plugging back in.

It is a bit annoying with this fiddling but Windows will locate the image. The speed of the USB 3 reimage more than makes up for the nuisance.

----Store the drivers anywhere convenient. I have them on my Boot utility flash drive.

mjf!!! YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!! IT WORKS!!!! THANKS!! :-)

I don't think windows 7 backups are restorable. I had a recent hd crash. Had a valid recovery boot disk and a valid USB 2.0 system back up and system image. The thing would not restore my system to a new HD. Same error, no system image found. Unable to restore system. So much for that. The best way is to clone the HD with Clonezilla and keep the clone in a safe place to use when the other one crashes. Redo it every few months to reflect updated system.

@Pazooza,
Windows images do restore to existing HDDs. I've done this so many times I've lost count. I've restored to new HDDs a few times with no problems.
I would never say it works for all system configurations all the time - I believe it doesn't so you're not alone.

You don't need to clone though. In my opinion imaging is a far more efficient and flexible way to restore to an existing or a new HDD.
I would recommend you give free Macrium Reflect a go. I along with many forum members use it. It's good solid software and perhaps more reliable in general.

I just wanted to chime in that installing the USB 3 drivers fixed my problem too. I had to download them from the Lenovo website, burn them to a CD, boot from the Windows 7 repair disk, and then insert my CD with the drivers. Then I was able to load the drivers using the Advanced... button. After I loaded all of the drivers (...\x64\nusb3hub.inf, ..\x64\nusb3xhc.inf, a total of 7 drivers for me), I was able to see my external HDD in the USB port. System Recovery saw the backup image at that point, and I was able to continue on.

It's nice when you can actually use the speed of the USB3 interface (the HDD is basically a Sata HDD after all).
It can be easier to just stick the USB3 drivers on a USB2 flash drive (a bit or irony there). I think Windows 8 will recognize USB3 by default.

^This The problems arise because Windows 7 has not native support for USB3.0. Windows 8 will.