Windows backup sees two "System" drives

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 4
    Ultimate 64
       #1

    Windows backup sees two "System" drives


    My computer has 4 internal drives. I have 1 hd with a C: and D: partition and then 3 other drives with 1 partition each, drives E: F: and G:.

    I just set up windows back up to back up the C: drive to the E: drive, however Windows is also viewing the F: drive as a System drive and insists that I also back it up as well. How do a let my computer know that the F: drive is not a System drive so it doesn't make me back it up when making a system image.

    Thanks!

    Don
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #2

    Can you post a screen shot of you disk management for us?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #3

    It's Donny,

    Welcome to SevenForums.

    A good question. To answer your question correctly we are going to need a snapshot of the maximize output of Disk Managmernt.

    We aill also benefit from you completing your system specs.

    Here are some links and additional info.

    ________________________________________

    HOW TO FILL OUT YOUR SYSTEM SPECS

    In the line at the top of www.SevenForums.com you will see UserCP.
    That is an abbreviation for User Control Panel.
    Click on UserCP.
    In the left-hand column, under Your Profile you will see Edit System Spec.
    Click on Edit System Spec
    You can copy and paste from the output of Speccy, Speccy - System Information - Free Download to fill out much of the info. Be sure to use the Other Info section of your System Specs for such info as your optical drive, your wireless adapter, your speakers, etc.

    ________________________________________
    The Snipping Tool:
    WIN | type SNIP | ENTER

    Disk Management:
    WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER

    Remember to maximize the display before making a snapshot with the Snipping Tool.

    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...en-forums.html

    WIN indicates the key with the wavy flag on the key.
    Last edited by karlsnooks; 27 Aug 2010 at 17:47. Reason: add note about WIN
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Ultimate 64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Okay, thanks guys. I've updated my comp specs and let's see if I can post the snapshot of disc management.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows backup sees two "System" drives-capture.png  
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #5

    Just as I thought, the F: drive has been marked as active. I think it might mean that the Master Boot record has been installed on the wrong drive. To test this, unplug all drives except for the one with Windows 7 on it and try to boot into Windows. Please write back with the results.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #6

    Petey,
    As I understood him, he wants to boot from the C: and does boot from the C:

    I don't remember whether with Disk Management he can mark F: as inactive.

    If not, he can always use DiskPart's Inactive command which is what I've always used.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #7

    No, he can boot into C:. He just doesn't understand why Windows Backup wants to back up both C: and F: to the backup image. He doesn't have an actually problem with booting at the moment. I believe that the MBR was installed on F:, while the OS was installed on C:. This is common when the OS is installed while multiple hard drives are connected. I know how to mark the drive as inactive through commend prompt, but I want to make sure that he doesn't need it to be active first.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4
    Ultimate 64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi guys, sorry for the late reply. Okay so I took out all the drives except my C: drive and my computer would not boot. So I'm guessing you're right that my MBR was installed on my F: drive. Can you tell me how I can go about getting the MBR on my C: drive and how I can then let my backup software know that the F: drive is no longer a system drive?

    Thanks!

    don
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #9

    Its been awhile since I've helped someone with this particular problem, so I'm going to ask someone who is more or less an expert on this kind of thing to help you through it.
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    itsdonny said:
    Hi guys, sorry for the late reply. Okay so I took out all the drives except my C: drive and my computer would not boot. So I'm guessing you're right that my MBR was installed on my F: drive. Can you tell me how I can go about getting the MBR on my C: drive and how I can then let my backup software know that the F: drive is no longer a system drive?

    Thanks!

    don
    With all drives plugged, boot into Win7 DVD or Repair CD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line (or boot into the Repair console to open Command Prompt), then follow the steps in this tutorial using Diskpart to Mark Win7 partition Active, then mark F drive Inactive: Partition - Mark as Active

    Once you have done this, power down to unplug the F drive so that it doesn't interfere as you boot the Win7 DVD Repair console to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the System MBR to Win7 partition. Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

    After Win7 starts, you can again power down to plug back in the F drive, make sure it is not marked Active or mark it Inactive again using the earlier Diskpart steps.

    If you want a graphical interface to do the marking Active and Inactive, use free Partition Wizard bootable CD. Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  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 06:05.
Find Us