Macrium Reflect "Restore" program finds NO files, no *.mrimg files!

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  1. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Macrium Reflect "Restore" program finds NO files, no *.mrimg files!


    Having carefully customised my new computer, I thought it would be wise to create a backup of my c: drive with all of its customizations. (As my computer is a Dell computer I had already used the Dell backup program to create a Factory Default backup/restore disc on 3 DVDs. And that Factory Default restore set has worked perfectly several times.)

    But as people here at SevenForums highly recommend Macrium Reflect, I decided to use Reflect to create an image of my customised c: drive (so as to be able to migrate to a non-Dell computer in future, if necessary). However, even after watching several YouTube videos on how to use Reflect, I did not find using this program easy. For one thing, the videos are of an older version, and the new version has different screen layouts.

    Anyway, using Reflect I at least succeeded in creating an image of my c: drive on 3 DVDs, with the suffix "mrimg".

    Then I thought it wise to make absolutely sure that this Reflect backup will work in times to come. It didn't. I found that no Restore program had been included on the 3 DVDs. (All they contained was the *.mrimg files.)

    So I used Macrium Reflect to install the Linux Restore program onto the 3rd DVD, where some space had been left.

    If I now boot the computer from the CD-Rom drive, the Linux Restore program boots up and asks me to select the image file to restore from. However, while the Linux Restore program correctly displays my computer's discs and file directories, including the CD-Rom drive, it sees NO image files. (In fact, it sees no files at all.)

    As a solution, Reflect offers the possibility of installing "Windows PE" as the Restore program, but I see that that will involve a 1.7 gigabyte download!

    Can anyone tell me why Macrium Reflect's Linux Restore program can't see my *mrimg files on the CD-Rom?

    I was given to understand that using Reflect would be so easy!

    I'm running "Windows 7 Home Edition".

    Many thanks.

    +


    The solution to the above problem is as follows. I hope many other people will be saved all the hours of misery I have been through by learning that:

    1. Your Linux Restore boot program can only be installed on a CD and must be booted from that CD, in your CD-Rom drive.

    2. When you want to restore your backup images they must be on a drive separate from your CD-Rom drive.

    3. Whatever other drive your backup images are on, that drive must be plugged in to your computer BEFORE you boot up using the Linux Restore CD. Linux Restore will only search for media that are plugged in and available for view WHILE Linux is loading itself.


    Most people only have one CD-Rom drive, but if you have two, then place the first disc of your backup set in your second CD-Rom drive, before booting up with Linux Restore in your main CD-Rom drive.
    Last edited by Skylark; 30 Mar 2012 at 05:48. Reason: To share solution with others having similar trouble with Macrium Reflect Free Edition
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  2. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #2

    A couple of points:

    I would NOT store the image on DVDs unless I had absolutely no choice. A hard drive is a much better idea and less prone to problems. I've never even attempted to put the mrimg files on DVDs, but a lot of people on this forum run into difficulties.

    Macrium is about as easy as imaging programs get IF you put the image on a hard drive.

    I'd make a Linux recovery disk using an entirely separate CD. As I understand it, you used the 3rd DVD you had made. I don't know if that would work correctly. Introducing DVDs into the process is a complication I would try to avoid.
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  3. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for that. I will bear it in mind. But right now I have the Restore program open my screen and if I click on the C drive in the left pane ("Locate Image") absolutely nothing shows, no directory, nothing. Surely Reflect is simply not reading ANYTHING on my computer?
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  4. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #4

    I have 2 Macrium images stored on my PC. One made on Sept 14, 2011 and one from March 15, 2012.

    The images are of my C drive and are stored on my D drive. Below is a picture of the Restore tab of Macrium when I open it. You can see that both of the images are recognized in the lower portion of this screen shot.

    You say "I have the Restore program open my screen" and nothing shows. Are you referring to what you see when you boot from that boot disc you made or are you referring to a screen as shown below when you open Macrium itself, as opposed to booting from a disc?

    If you have no image file stored on your hard drive, you aren't going to see an image file simply by opening Macrium and looking around. What's to see if the image file is stored on a DVD which may be in the closet?

    Or am I misunderstanding you entirely?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Macrium Reflect "Restore" program finds NO files, no *.mrimg files!-untitled-1.jpg  
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  5. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi, and thanks. I want to test whether I can restore my c: drive (Windows AND my customizations), so I can't restore while being IN Windows, isn't that right? Therefore, I can't do this particular restore operation by using Reflect. Instead I have to use the Linux or Windows PE boot Restore program, isn't that right?

    I can boot the Linux Restore program, but as I say it doesn't show any image file, even though I have the image file now sitting in the CD-Rom drive. Interestingly though, it does show a folder structure as existing on the CD-Rom drive disc (on which the image file is sitting), but Linux Restore is not showing any of the contents of any of the folders on the DVD. I can look at the disc inside Windows and, sure enough, the *.mrimg file is sitting there.

    By the way, my Linux Restore program is on an entirely separate DVD. (I said earlier that I had popped it onto free space on the 3rd disc of the backup set, but I didn't, I thought better of doing that.)
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  6. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #6

    see comments in bold


    Skylark said:
    Hi, and thanks. I want to test whether I can restore my c: drive (Windows AND my customizations), so I can't restore while being IN Windows, isn't that right?

    That's correct

    Therefore, I can't do this particular restore operation by using Reflect. Instead I have to use the Linux or Windows PE boot Restore program, isn't that right?

    Also correct.

    I can boot the Linux Restore program, but as I say it doesn't who any image file, even though I have the image file now sitting in the CD-Rom drive.

    Open Macrium itself. Make a Linux recovery CD on a separate CD. Boot from that CD and see if you can go several steps into the recovery process.

    Report your findings.

    The image file "now sitting in the CD-Rom drive" is presumably whatever is on DVD number 3, which you booted from. That may be the problem and why I suggest you use a separate disk. I've never used DVD for imaging, but my understanding is that after you boot from the separate Linux disc, you will be asked to insert Disk 1.

    Bottom line--you are in DVD land, which I avoid. Someone else may have further insight.

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  7. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks, ignatzatzonic!


    Am currently looking at the separate boot disc with Linux Restore on it, by viewing it in Windows Explorer, and its contents are:

    BOOT (folder)
    BOOT.CAT
    INITRD
    KERNEL
    MEMTE000.BIN
    MEMTEST8.BIN
    VERSION

    So the above is what is at least getting Linux Restore to boot up. However, once Linux Restore has booted up it does NOT ask me to insert Disc 1 (or any other disc). It asks me to select from its pane the image that I want to restore from . . . but no image shows, although the image is on the DVD in the CD-Rom drive.

    But what has emerged now, is that after Linux Restore has booted up, and it shows the folder structure on the DVD on which the Linux Restore program sits, it offers no way of looking at a different disc! So, this tempts me to think I should get Reflect to install the Linux Restore program on the spare space at the end of the 3rd disc of the backup set! It then would have "no excuse" not seeing the image file on the very same disc upon which it itself is sitting? But Reflect will not allow me to install Linux Restore on anything but a fresh separate disc!
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  8. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #8

    Skylark said:
    So, maybe I should get Reflect to install the Linux Restore program on the spare space at the end of the 3rd disc of the backup set? It then has "no excuse" not to see the image file on the very same disc upon which it itself is sitting?
    [/COLOR]
    I thought you had already put Linux restore program on disc 3 and had no success? That's why I suggested a separate disc.

    The fact is, that when dealing with DVDs, no single DVD is going to contain an image file unless the ENTIRE partition can be captured on a single DVD. At best, it will have portions of an image file--as in your case where you used 3 DVDs.

    Honestly---there may be a plausible explanation for what is going on but that would have to come from someone experienced in Macrium via DVD. That's not me.

    I'd nix the DVD idea entirely and use an HDD.

    You can always try the Win PE disc and you may get some other result, but my understanding is that it only provides more "flexibility", so I wouldn't expect anything earthshaking if you try it.
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  9. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    OK, thanks, I will give your idea a go, and make a new image backup file on my portable hard drive.

    When I then boot up with Linux Restore, and if Linux Restore does SEE the plugged-in portable hard drive, will it show the image file? I suppose I'll just have to wait and see.
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  10. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #10

    Skylark said:
    When I then boot up with Linux Restore, and if Linux Restore does SEE the plugged-in portable hard drive, will it show the image file? I suppose I'll just have to wait and see.
    Yeah, that is the acid test. If it won't, it's all pointless. You need to be able to see your image file and your proposed restore destination.

    In some cases, the Linux disc won't boot. Your alternative is to make another Linux disc using one of the other methods shown ("compatibility mode" and another that I can't recall). If those fail, you have to go with the Win PE disc.

    It can be fussy. At one time, I had to resort to the 3rd method shown in order to get a Linux disc to boot.

    But, if it will boot, I've always been able to see my image file on an HDD and my restore destination.

    I've always used an internal. You are proposing an external. As far as I recall, that will still work.

    But all imaging involves some luck and voodoo. Prepare for it to fail and be willing to do a clean install.
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