System restore has created a new drive (recovery) plus, windows backup

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  1.    #21

    Somehow you created a huge mess derailing the System boot files from the Win7 hard drive onto the data drive. I gave you the way to fix this earlier. With Disk1 unplugged, you needed to run Startup Repair from the Win7 DVD or Repair CD three times to try to repair or rewrite the System boot files to the Active partition - which in the first screenshot was Recovery. Did you do this?

    Now in your second screenshot the Active partition on the HD has been moved to C, so we know you're moving the Active flag around. Is this because it wouldn't start after 3 Startup Repairs with Active flag on Recovery? Try that first. If it won't start then move Active flag to C and try the three Repairs again. Mark Partition Active


    There are some other steps beyond those we can try to get it started, or you can move the Active flag back to Recovery to see if Dell Windows 7 PC Restore
    will run from boot, or Clean Reinstall.

    If you want to reinstall then back up your files, unplug Disk1, boot into the installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options to delete all partitions, create new one(s) as you wish, then
    Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you follow the steps closely you'll have a perfect reinstall. Ask back any questions you have to get it right this time.

    When you plug back in Disk1, make sure to Mark B Inactive so it can't derail the System Boot Files again. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums
    Last edited by gregrocker; 27 Oct 2012 at 23:27.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #22

    What kind of Windows disc?

    Greg is fairly straight forward in his explanation and gives you almost every conceivable option.There's a different way, I'm not sure if it's any different then what you posted in #1.




    On the Dell site:
    After reading some of Dell's documentaion, I'm not sure it will be easier. The first link in the list seems to be the easiest.

    There are two things you want to focus on

    1) only have the drive that came with the system in the system. disconnect any USB drives or offline any secondary internal drives that are slave (I'm not sure what model Dell you have, so you might only have one internal drive)
    Your disk mgmnt screenshot shows a bunch of drives - unplug all of them

    2)Factory image - Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition
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  3. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #23

    I'm leaving this up to the resident SevenForums install guru. I think I might be confusing Chris and that the active partition was moved based on not understanding the process. LittleJay , myself, and Greg mentioned the active flag in different context that meant the same thing.

    Chris, here are your options:

    1) best recommendation - follow Greg's clean install, step-by-step. You probably want to print them and any references. I think that if you read the instructions and follow any links in them, you'll have a good understanding of what you need to do. Read them and if you have specific questions - ask.

    2) otherwise, follow the Dell method and do a Factory Restore

    Either way, you need to unplug everything - the monitor keyboard and mouse can stay connected of course.

    When you've completed the process, don't connect anything - post a Disk Management screenshot of your machine.

    Thanks,

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #24

    Hi guys, thanks again for all the info. OK, I have to be honest, I messed up. I was unplugging the wrong disc each time I did start up repair. I did not realise this until I did a windows install and it went to my second hard drve - however, it now seems hard drive C disk 0 is working, that is after taking out the 2nd hard drive disk 1 it will operate independantly, start up shut down, restart etc so it seems the start up repairs have done the job. Ok, I am now left with hard drive 2 - Disk1 - NOW UNPLUGGED !!! with a windows 7 install on it that I cant reformat when I put it back in, so the questions are, do you think Disk0 is ok now that it works on its own and if I plugg disk1 back in, how can I reformat it so I can use it for back up.

    I am really sorry for being so dumb !!!

    Screen shot attached,

    Chris.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails System restore has created a new drive (recovery) plus, windows backup-new-screenshot.png  
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  5.    #25

    It looks like Startup Repair did write the System Boot Files to C, however as pointed out earlier the Active flag had originally been on Recovery so it may need the System Active flags there to ever run Recovery again.

    So if Recovery will not now cue up to run using the steps in Dell Windows 7 PC Restore you can consider deleting Recovery partition and resizing C into that space using Partition Wizard Resize Partition Video Help.

    Otherwise you can try following the steps as I originally gave them to repair or rewrite the System boot files to Recovery after moving the Active flag back there where it was, or later if you ever need to run Recovery your can try that then or even Boot Recovery Partition using EasyBCD. Ask any questions now to understand this fully.

    As to the data drive, plug it back but first before starting up enter BIOS setup to assure that the Win7 HD is the only one set first to boot. If so boot into Win7 to wipe the data drive with Diskpart Clean Command then repartition in Disk Mgmt: Partition or Volume - Create New.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #26

    Hi, I moved the flag to recovery and it started up with no issues - do you think I am good to go now, with the next step being to wipe the other hard drive,

    thanks,
    Chris.
    Last edited by CHRISD1; 28 Oct 2012 at 13:21.
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  7. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #27

    Hi, I moved the flag to recovery and it started up with no issues - do you think I am good to go now, with the next step being to wipe the other hard drive,

    thanks,
    Chris






    gregrocker said:
    It looks like Startup Repair did write the System Boot Files to C, however as pointed out earlier the Active flag had originally been on Recovery so it may need the System Active flags there to ever run Recovery again.

    So if Recovery will not now cue up to run using the steps in Dell Windows 7 PC Restore you can consider deleting Recovery partition and resizing C into that space using Partition Wizard Resize Partition Video Help.

    Otherwise you can try following the steps as I originally gave them to repair or rewrite the System boot files to Recovery after moving the Active flag back there where it was, or later if you ever need to run Recovery your can try that then or even Boot Recovery Partition using EasyBCD. Ask any questions now to understand this fully.

    As to the data drive, plug it back but first before starting up enter BIOS setup to assure that the Win7 HD is the only one set first to boot. If so boot into Win7 to wipe the data drive with Diskpart Clean Command then repartition in Disk Mgmt: Partition or Volume - Create New.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails System restore has created a new drive (recovery) plus, windows backup-recovery-active.png  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #28

    Hi,

    I am back again, I put hard drive 2 back in, and now its let me do a re format, and windows system image now allows me to back up to it !!!, do you think I am back to normal now >>

    Chris.



    gregrocker said:
    It looks like Startup Repair did write the System Boot Files to C, however as pointed out earlier the Active flag had originally been on Recovery so it may need the System Active flags there to ever run Recovery again.

    So if Recovery will not now cue up to run using the steps in Dell Windows 7 PC Restore you can consider deleting Recovery partition and resizing C into that space using Partition Wizard Resize Partition Video Help.

    Otherwise you can try following the steps as I originally gave them to repair or rewrite the System boot files to Recovery after moving the Active flag back there where it was, or later if you ever need to run Recovery your can try that then or even Boot Recovery Partition using EasyBCD. Ask any questions now to understand this fully.

    As to the data drive, plug it back but first before starting up enter BIOS setup to assure that the Win7 HD is the only one set first to boot. If so boot into Win7 to wipe the data drive with Diskpart Clean Command then repartition in Disk Mgmt: Partition or Volume - Create New.
      My Computer

  9.    #29

    Yeah, we now know that Recovery was indeed where the System boot files were placed at factory since it didn't have to have them written there via Startup Repairs but started right up when you moved the Active flag back to it. This is why I orginally suggested to start with the Active flag there.

    Since the other HD didn't interfere and is working for you correctly now, then I'd say you're good to go. Let us know if anything else comes up, or you can mark the thread Solved at top.
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  10. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #30

    Hi, many thanks for your time and effort on this, it really is very good of you and slartybart, I cant thank you bothe enough, thank you thank you.

    Yes, all seems to be back to normal now, as I said, I was able to format drive to so backups are rolloing again

    thanks,
    Chris
      My Computer


 
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