Back up function does not backup the desired disk

Hi All,

I'm expieriencing a problem I can't fix.

There raises a flag that I have to make a Backup. I thought and read this is a well worked out function in Win7, let's try !

But as you expect and the reason why I'm here, there is a difficulty.

The function wants to backup 2 hard drives (C:\ and H:\) and I can't uncheck H:\. C:\ is my windows disk and H:\ is my disk where I keep movies and stuff . I don't want to backup H:\ . I only want to back up C:\!

What I read on several places is that Win7 Automatically selects the drivers which contains System files (in the back up function he calls H:\ a system disk). In Disk Management it also says Disk H:\ System/Active/Primary Partition.

I am for sure I installed Win7 on C:\. I didn't do anything on H:\.

Also an other thing I found out is that MSE uses the biggest drive for downloading updates and installing the updates (use it as source). But I don't know if that is the reason it is called a system disk.

I want to make my backup this way, how can I only make a backup of C:\

Thanks in Advance!

Your system boot files are most likely on H.

Let us know if you want help moving them. Not so tough to do, with help.

If you do, post a screenshot of disk management and then we can direct you on how to proceed.

Thanks for the quick reply! I sure do want to move them, I want it all on C:\. Moving the files back to his friends.

Picture Here

Since I'm from holland, my screen is somewhat different. I will do the most of the needed translating here. If more translation is needed, just ask.

NL <> EN

"In Orde" = in order (O.K.)
"Opstarten" = Start Up
"Wisselbestand" = Pagefile

Alright then, here we go.

First, set the pc to be able to show hidden and system files if you haven't done so already.

Copy the bootmgr file from H: to C: (both root)
Copy the boot folder from H: to C: (both root) and tell it to skip over copying bcd and bcd.log files when it asks.

Then open an elevated command prompt. Copy and paste this command, then hit enter:

bcdedit /export C:\boot

When that's done, check C:\boot to see if bcd is now in it.

If it is, reboot to bios and make C: the first boot device instead of H: drive.

Reboot to Windows and check disk management. C: should now be the system drive and you're done.

Let us know how it goes for you.

First of all, thanks, my compliments for your speed and knowledge!

I see 6 files and folders indeed in H:\
-Boot
-bootmgr
-BOOTSECT.BAK
-System Volume Information
-RECYCLER
-$RECYCLE.BIN

I did copy boot & bootmgr to the root of C:\

Then open an elevated command prompt. Copy and paste this command, then hit enter:
bcdedit /export C:\boot

I did, but CMD says:

C:\Users\Gebruiker>bcdedit /export c:\boot
Kan het archief niet exporteren. [in dutch is says: Can't export archive]
Kan geen bestand maken dat al bestaat. [in dutch is says: Can't make file that already exists]

There is no BCD in C:\boot, see this image

What do I have to do with the other files in the root of H:\?
Why is memtest in boot directory?

Wow, sorry about that.

The command should be

bcdedit /export C:\boot\bcd

Use that instead.

You're welcome.

D/l this , rt click and extract all.

bootsect.zip

Copy the file ( not the folder) into C:\Windows\System32

Open an elvated cmd and type: ( press enter after each line)

bcdboot c:\windows /s c:

bootsect /nt60 c: /force /mbr

Diskpart

sel vol c

act

sel vol h

inact

exi

Close cmd and then restart.

Alfie said:

First of all, thanks, my compliments for your speed and knowledge!

I see 6 files and folders indeed in H:\
-Boot
-bootmgr
-BOOTSECT.BAK
-System Volume Information
-RECYCLER
-$RECYCLE.BIN

I did copy boot & bootmgr to the root of C:\

Then open an elevated command prompt. Copy and paste this command, then hit enter:
bcdedit /export C:\boot

I did, but CMD says:

C:\Users\Gebruiker>bcdedit /export c:\boot
Kan het archief niet exporteren. [in dutch is says: Can't export archive]
Kan geen bestand maken dat al bestaat. [in dutch is says: Can't make file that already exists]

There is no BCD in C:\boot, see this image

What do I have to do with the other files in the root of H:\?
Why is memtest in boot directory?

torrentg said:

Wow, sorry about that.
The command should be
bcdedit /export C:\boot\bcd
Use that instead.
You're welcome.

I did it and it says:

C:\Users\Gebruiker>bcdedit /export c:\boot\bcd
De bewerking is voltooid. [in dutch: it is complete]

I do now see the BCD file of 24kb in C:\boot

But......

I shutdown the computer, I enter BIOS, I look for boot priority, it already is set as stated above.
1. CH2 M WD1500HLFS (C:\)
2. CH3 M ST3500630NS (D:\)
3. CH1 S HD103SJ (H:\)

I go to Disk Management and it's the same as the picture above, nothing changed.

So is it possible that because H:\ is CH1 and c:\ is Channel 2, windows7 installed something on H:\ which makes it a system partition? Do I have to swap HD's in Channel?

Can U answer my other questions as well :)

What do I have to do with the other files in the root of H:\?
Why is memtest in boot directory?

SIW2 said:

D/l this , rt click and extract all.
bootsect.zip
Copy the file ( not the folder) into C:\Windows\System32
Open an elvated cmd and type: ( press enter after each line)
bcdboot c:\windows /s c:
bootsect /nt60 c: /force /mbr
Diskpart
sel vol c
act
sel vol h
inact
exi
Close cmd and then restart.

I did it and it worked! Thanks, windows7 is making the back-up right now.

I have two additional questions:

1.) what is bootsect and bcdboot? The last part of the commands I understand (diskpart: select c & activate, select h deactivate), what do the first lines do?

2.)

What do I have to do with the other files in the root of H:\?
Why is memtest in boot directory?

Hi Alfie,

Glad all went well for you.

They create the boot critical files and rewrite the bootsector code on the target partition and the disk code.

Memtest is in there so you have an option to select it from the Advanced boot menu.

You can leave the files on H - no harm in that. It may be useful - in the unlikely event you have a problem booting at some time in the future, you could switch the Active flag to H and boot thru. there.


Hope it helps