cannot restore system image from usb drive

Hi there

The built in Windows system image is not a very good program and doesn't allow you to restore from an external device directly which IMO makes it a CACKHANDED and almost useless system.

What you CAN do

1) re-install Windows -- don't panic we only do this to get a working Windows. Don't bother with any applications or updates.

2) Now do the RESTORE - the installed windows should be able to access the external HDD. and overwrite your newly installed windows with your original backup.

Don't BTW activate on installation- Note W7 gives you 30 days before requiring activation - don't even bother with the updates -- you just want the OS up and running so you can restore your old image.

(cackhanded method I agree but is should work).

Now IN FUTURE - download something like FREE MACRIUM and create a bootable disc.
Backup and restore images using this is no problem.

I actually use a paid for piece of software -- Acronis -- since backup and data recovery is IMO worth MORE than the PC it's on (how much would it cost you in time and money to re-create Music / Video libraries again even if it were possible !!) the 45 USD or so is worth every penny I've spent on that software.

Cheers
jimbo

actually it does allow you to restore from an external drive just fine, I have solved the issue.
The problem is with USB 3.0, no drivers for USB 3.0 are installed by the system repair, so you have to plug devices into a USB 2.0 port

No need to re-install windows as you suggested.

I do also have some paid backup software (EaseUs TODO backup) which is very good, but my license was already in use on another machine.
I would never touch Acronis again, I used to have this software and it never worked properly, backups constantly failed and restore never worked and I lost my entire system by relying on this useless sofwtare. Their support was also lousy, the only answer they ever gave was "upgrade to latest version".

lordSnake said:

actually it does allow you to restore from an external drive just fine, I have solved the issue.
The problem is with USB 3.0, no drivers for USB 3.0 are installed by the system repair, so you have to plug devices into a USB 2.0 port......

When I just read your first post that was my thought that you were perhaps using USB3 - which will kick in only after Windows boots. You found it yourself. Good going.

jimbo45 said:

What you CAN do

1) re-install Windows -- don't panic we only do this to get a working Windows. Don't bother with any applications or updates.

2) Now do the RESTORE - the installed windows should be able to access the external HDD. and overwrite your newly installed windows with your original backup.

It is not possible to restore a system image to the currently active partition while still using it.