Windows 7: Imaging with free Macrium

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Last edited by whs; 23 Feb 2013 at 07:28 PM..

Thanks, all. The Seagate and WD tests all say there's no problems at all, but when I can't find or recover data that I know was there two days ago, that's a big red danger sign. I've managed to save the rest of my data and will swap the dying Seagate out this evening for a known-good WD spare I found in my parts box!

You may also try this too. CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

Thanks for the great tutorial. Suspecting that I may have a failing hard-drive, I'm trying to create an image using your tutorial. I hope it's not too late! I've backed up all my data but don't have an image!

I've had three failed attempts now to image my hard-drive using Macrium Reflect (Free Edition 5.1.5603).

After setting up a bootable rescue disk I ran disk image function 'Create an image of all partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows.'

Attempt 1:
MFT corrupt - Error code = 6. Please run 'chkdsk C: /f'

I ran chkdsk /f and it completed all 3 stages. Looking at the log via event viewer some cleaning was done but no problems were found. So I decided to have a second attempt at creating an image.


Attempt 2:
Backup aborted! - Unable to read from disk - Error Code 1117 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

After reading about Error Code 1117 over at Macrium, I ran chkdsk /r /f but it got stuck at stage 4 (11%) and I had to turn the laptop off. I can't find a log file for it. I decided to have a third attempt anyway but got the same error again

Attempt 3:
Backup aborted! - Unable to read from disk - Error Code 1117 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.

Any advice on what I could try now?

The only good advice I can give you is to throw the disk into the bin. I think it is shot. With that many I/O errors there is little hope that you can resurrect it.

Welcome to Seven Forums npaitken. I'm sorry to say this but whs is right your disk is toast.

You can try and access it from winpe or some other bootable media - Linux puppy (free downloadable iso ).

Or parted magic screenshots

You may be still be able to copy off any vital files/data.

SiW may be right......try this quick one I wrote for these sorts of situations. Lets see if it can read the disk enough for you to copy critical data:

Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup

The OP says he has backed up his data. it is just an image he is missing.

Yes, missed that bit.

Thanks guys. What a brilliant forum this is. Quick responses are much appreciated.

Yes, it's just the image that's missing. I have all my data backup-up via Dropbox , Amazon S3 and external drive. But bad news is I don't have an image - I wanted to the avoid the pain of having to re-install Windows 7 and lots of programs!

UPDATE:
I've just been speaking to Dell Tech Support and WHS is right, HDD is toast Run the Dell HDD Test and it failed! New HD coming tomorrow.

To be honest, I'm kind of relieved now. Although I'll need to write-off tomorrow to build it back up again, the silver lining is that I should be able to create a very clean, day-1 image of a Windows 7 install + programs tomorrow.