Windows 7: Restore Windows Back Up Image Files from Network Location (XP Machine)

We are a small office, 5 or 6 computers. Only 3 are every day computers, other 3 are "server", admin and extra computer.

The three in use every day are new win7pro x64 machines. Our server is xp pro (32bit) with a shared drive as our "server" drive. We access this for all our job related materials, etc. There is no network setup, just shared folders among our workgroup.

We just got the new win7pro machines setup and are using Windows Backup function to create system images to the "server" computer in a shared folder. We've got the images created on 2 computers, and can see the .vhd files and associated folder structure. When testing to see if we could restore from these images, we got the error "Cannot locate backup sets on machine, etc."

I moved the backup folder to the root of the drive, and made sure it was WindowsImageBackup or whatever the default is, but still could not find it.

I didn't have an external drive, as the one that is in the office is being replaced, and the one the boss takes with him, was not available. He will bring it tomorrow, and I will try moving the image to the external HDD, and see if Restore recognizes the backup image that way.



I'm assuming its a permissions thing, but haven't been able to figure it out. I've searched on this site, and haven't found this situation.

I'm probably going to create these initial images with Clonezilla as well, just in case, but we'd like a scheduled solution moving forward. We were hopeful win7pro would provide this, but so far are disappointed.

Any insight would be appreciated. If you need more information please ask.

Thanks!

If nothing else works, you can try this: System Image - Recover a Broken Windows 7 System Image

Appreciate the quick response, but I'm not sure the issue is a bad image file yet, but I will keep this in mind also.

It is most likely not a bad image - agreed. But Windows Imaging is so touchy when you move an image around that you may not be able to use it with the on-board facilities. Many paople have the same problem like you.

Agreed. After reading your message I saw this was the method to mount the .vhd which I had seen before. Thanks again.

I'd just like to clarify that I made these backups over the network in a specific folder - and did not move them at all. When the backup completed successfully, the Backup Control Panel said "No backup has been made yet" or whatever it says, and so I tried to find the image and this is when I ran into the problem.

Thanks again for any help.

Well. you look like another victim of Windows imaging. If you want scheduled images, Macrium would be an alternative.

As my boss would probably prefer a free alternative (I'm sure Macrium for the $80 4 seat price would work in the end), have you ever used Comodo? If so, could you offer your feedback? It appears its one of the few pieces of software that is free even in a commercial environment.

Thanks again whs!

Sorry, I have no experience with Commodo. Right now I use the free Macrium V5.0. But in earlier days I have also used Paragon and Ghost 14 (in Vista). But if you hang around, I am sure someone who has used Commodo will speak up.