Restore not "finding" backup


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #1

    Restore not "finding" backup


    Hey guys,

    Was just wondering if anyone can give me a hand. I used to use Macrium Reflect free to do a nightly image of my computer, but since 7 came along, I decided that I'd give the built in backup a go - I created a "fresh install" image, along with nightly images + file backups onto an internal HDD - it'd take a lot of DVD's, and I can't afford an external. I'm not too fussed about file loss really... I have all my personal files on: laptop; phone; ipod.

    Anyway. The time has now come where I need to restore from one of these backup images. Ideally the one of the clean installation. When using the restore program, I can't manually tell it where the file is, it wants to search and find it itself (I much preferred the days when things were manual ><). The list of backups doesn't populate, and there is no option to find it manually.

    The OS is still bootable, so I checked to ensure that the image was there. It was. There's a 60gig image that I want back on my computer, and it won't let me at it.

    Does anyone have any suggestions that I could try to get it back? I've had to reinstall Windows for a great many years of my life, and really want to avoid another.

    Regards,
    Chris
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,506
    W7 Ult. x64 | OS X
       #2

    Take a look at this thread:

    I can't find my backup files
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    notsograymatter said:
    Take a look at this thread:

    I can't find my backup files
    I followed what I assume to be the same process - OneCare appears different to the native Win7 backup. It has given me a list of backups (I had only tried the method where it boots into a recovery mode), however, when selecting the one I want it gives the error:
    "The selected backup could not be found. System Restore is looking for a restore point that is on your backup. Choose a different restore point"

    The event logs didn't appear to give any more information on the error either.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16,119
    7 X64
       #4

    I'm afraid that is one of the limitations of Windows built in backup - you are better off using Macrium - much more flexible .

    Try booting the 7 dvd/recovery disc to system recovery options and see if it can locate them from there.

    If not, should be able to boot the 7 dvd /recovery disc to command prompt and locate your backup images with e.g.

    wbadmin get versions -backupTarget:D:

    That will tell you which images you have on the D drive.

    To restore an image:

    wbadmin start recovery -backuptarget:\D: -version:04/16/2010-09:00 -itemType:Volume -items:C:

    That restores the backup stored on D, identified by the date, of the Volume image of C.

    christye said:
    Hey guys,

    Was just wondering if anyone can give me a hand. I used to use Macrium Reflect free to do a nightly image of my computer, but since 7 came along, I decided that I'd give the built in backup a go - I created a "fresh install" image, along with nightly images + file backups onto an internal HDD - it'd take a lot of DVD's, and I can't afford an external. I'm not too fussed about file loss really... I have all my personal files on: laptop; phone; ipod.

    Anyway. The time has now come where I need to restore from one of these backup images. Ideally the one of the clean installation. When using the restore program, I can't manually tell it where the file is, it wants to search and find it itself (I much preferred the days when things were manual ><). The list of backups doesn't populate, and there is no option to find it manually.

    The OS is still bootable, so I checked to ensure that the image was there. It was. There's a 60gig image that I want back on my computer, and it won't let me at it.

    Does anyone have any suggestions that I could try to get it back? I've had to reinstall Windows for a great many years of my life, and really want to avoid another.

    Regards,
    Chris
    Last edited by SIW2; 16 Apr 2010 at 17:53.
      My Computers


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    Maybe you could send a PM to Karlsnooks. He is an expert on the subject. You should have stayed with Macrium. I never have any of those problems with Macrium. MS has this habit of making simple functions very complicated.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hey guys.

    After a nights sleep, I woke up and thought that there is something simple and silly I am missing. Windows will only let you access an image backup if it is within the WindowsImageBackup folder.

    I had moved mine to another folder so that:
    1) it didn't get overwritten
    2) I knew which one it was.

    I used the command prompt to delete the existing WindowsImageBackup folder, and renamed the "clean install" folder to "WindowsImageBackup"

    It then found it, and is currently restoring my files.

    Thanks for the help guys!
    I think I might go back to using the free version of Macrium after this...
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7

    christye said:
    Hey guys.

    After a nights sleep, I woke up and thought that there is something simple and silly I am missing. Windows will only let you access an image backup if it is within the WindowsImageBackup folder.

    I had moved mine to another folder so that:
    1) it didn't get overwritten
    2) I knew which one it was.

    I used the command prompt to delete the existing WindowsImageBackup folder, and renamed the "clean install" folder to "WindowsImageBackup"

    It then found it, and is currently restoring my files.

    Thanks for the help guys!
    I think I might go back to using the free version of Macrium after this...
    Glad you found the solution. But isn't that really silly that they put the user into such a box. Hail Macrium.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
       #8

    i was also experiencing this odd issue:
    - i have a few System Image backups, dating all the way back to 2012, which i've used for restoration in the past successfully.

    i tried everything, but in the Restore screen, Windows 7 refuses to detect the images.
    Although, it detects newer backups.

    i noticed all the 2013 dated backups were detected, and none of the 2012 backups.

    I have tried everything found on the Net, nothing worked.

    Then i finally tried this, and viola!
    - Created a folder "WindowsImageBackup" in the root of another partition.
    - Then copied the backup into it.
    - Rebooted into backup, and detected! :)

    Here's my synopsis:
    - it seems backups with metadata of a year or older are ignored/not detected.
    - by moving to another partition, it reset the metadata of the backup.

    Good Luck.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:09.
Find Us