System Image Not Found on External USB HDD with Image as Root Folder

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  1. GAR
    Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #1

    System Image Not Found on External USB HDD with Image as Root Folder


    I have read about 50 threads in regard to the topic. I'm just looking for clarity here. I have a homebuilt system that got a virus Alureon.gen!k. Before researching it I let windows fix it. Computer won't open any applications now.
    Decided to go to my Image to save time (NOT!). The image is on a USB external HDD currently attached directly to the computer. I can't get it to find the bleepin' Image!

    The HDD was attached to an NAS over the network where it saved my windows images and backup files from the NAS. The drive's structure looks like this:

    E: R6 Backup
    Office Server
    Office WindowsImageBackup MediaID.bin Data Drive Backup Files

    Inside the Office folder are three items: Office, WindowsImageBackup, and a MediaID.bin. The Office folder has file backups. The WindowsImageBackup contains the expected image folders and files.

    I understand from the threads that the WindowsImageBackup needs to be in the root of E: so I have done this two ways, neither of whiched worked. First I simply renamed the Root Office folder, and then I undid the rename and moved the WindowsImageBackup out of the Office folder and into the root of E:.

    Windows sees the drive. Within the recovery you have the option under advanced to load drivers. I was doing this trying to use eSata to no avail so I switched to USB where you can clearly see the drive and all its contents. No matter, windows still won't recognize the image.

    Is there anything I am missing here or is there a fault with Windows that is killing me? I will be using another tool Acronis or whatever in the future but as of right now it seems I am doing everything as I should. I guess I'm looking for conformation before a complete reinstall.

    Thanks for whatever I get, unless it's someone telling me to use search for the answer which I did already for the better part of 1.5 days.
      My Computer


  2. GAR
    Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I installed Acronis after seeing someone's post about converting the Windows Image file to an Acronis and just booting from that, but it is telling me it won't work and possibly the windows file is corrupted. Has anyone seen this or been able to fix a so called corrupted .img file?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 325
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    Sorry you're not getting help here, and I don't have an answer.
    The Win 7 imaging utility has been a problem for many, and you're not the first to encounter this problem.
    All I can say is look into other imaging software for your future imaging.
    Many here use free Macrium. I use Ghost 15.
    I'm hoping somebody here with Win 7 imaging utily experience will jump in, but I can't recall seeing a solution to this. Hope I'm wrong about that.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #4

    Not sure whether this will help or not since Windows Imaging is a bit picky, but try moving the MediaID.bin into the root as well.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 325
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,132
    7 X64
       #6

    You may be able to mount the vhd and image the mounted vhd with any imaging app.

    I told whs about it along time ago.

    He explains on that thread he tried it with disk mgmt and Macrium.

    If you have any difficulty with that - let me know.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 1,031
    Windows 7 x64
       #7

    Can I ask why you put the NAS hard drive directly on your system? Did you try recovering the image from the network first?

    On my NAS, the drive is formatted as ext3, which doesn't work well with Windows. Maybe you just have an external drive connected to the NAS, and not in it.

    But if the drive is a USB 3.0 device, the 3.0 ports may not work in the recovery environment.

    Try leaving the drive off during the boot into the Recovery environment. After it searches for an image, turn on the drive and let it search again.

    If you want to check the backup image, you can mount it by using Disk Management and the Action option to Attach VHD. Make sure you have the partition with the Windows Backup Image selected, but look for the .vhd file in one of the folders.
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8
      My Computer


  9. GAR
    Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hi guys and thanks for the responses.
    The NAS was not connected directly it was networked via ethernet on the router. My back up drive was connected to the NAS via usb.
    Coincedentally my power supply on the NAS broke so I can't network to the back up drive. So, I connected the back up drive direct to the pc in question. It is connected via 2.0 and the drive can be seen in the advanced tab when working restore.
    I will try moving the MediaBin file too.
    I'm wondering if: IF the drive was connected to the NAS, perhaps it can only be recovered through the network? No way to tell until I get my replacement power supply from Iomega I guess.
    I've never attempted to mount an image. Is this done and then recovered from there, or does the mounted image become your C drive?
    Thanks agian
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,031
    Windows 7 x64
       #10

    I ran a test the other day where I moved a backup image from the NAS to my system and one from my system back to the NAS. Both images were still recoverable, so I don't think just moving it makes much difference. It does matter for a drive connected to your system, that the folder be on the root directory.

    If you decide to use the networked NAS again, loading a driver for your Network Adapter using the Advanced button, is not hard to do.

    I looks like now we need to determine if the Windows backup image is bad, or your drive is bad. I don't suppose you have a second internal hard drive you could copy the image to? Mounting the image using the VHD option would just see if you could read it. Someone else may know if you can do more.

    You might test by renaming the current backup folder and making a new backup, assuming it would work. You certainly want to keep the system after a re-image using that, but you could test the external drive that way.

    Have you ever used a image created on the external to restore your system?

    I am not sure if I missed it, but how are you getting into the Windows Recovery Environment? If you aren't using an Install DVD to boot, something on your system may be involved.
      My Computer


 
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