Raid0 Backup oddities/VHD not recognized/Initial disk corrupt


  1. Posts : 17
    Windows 8 64bit
       #1

    Raid0 Backup oddities/VHD not recognized/Initial disk corrupt


    Where to even start here... what started off as a simple Hard Drive Replacement has seemed to have escalated to a "what the hell am I doing?"

    Essentially my brother's HDD was going bad, giving us the warning before Windows loaded to replace soon; so we ordered a new SSD to replace the failing hard drive, and use the a second 500gb drive we had for the remainder of the files.

    The computer was initially configured as RAID, but I noticed in the RAID menu that there was no array, and that the second disk was not showing up in explorer. I found this odd, so I attached the disk and viola, I had an extra 500gb of storage to back up the dying hard drive.

    I used the Windows backup to backup the first 500gb drive to the second one that was formerly not showing up (this is where I get a bit worried).

    Is it possible that I messed up a RAID array that was not listed in the RAID configuration after the POST screen? I always had thought it was configured as a RAID1, but I suppose in my ignorance, I never really checked until I actually needed the backup of the initial drive.

    After backing up the image, I tried booting from the first drive and it would no longer allow me to boot into windows (gives me an error saying a number of system32 files are now corrupted; it went into safe mode once and crashed shortly after). As for my image backup, the VHD is not recognized by my restore disc, nor Acronis True Image. The only good thing, so it would seem, is that I can attach the image and view the files in it; however, I cannot figure out how to get all of those files restored without losing pretty much everything. I don't care for the music/movies/pictures so much, but the programs I had as there were a number of games and programs that were rather invaluable to me, and I'd rather not go through with re-updating everything.

    At the moment I've installed another copy of Win7 on the SSD temporarily in an attempt to try and remedy the issue with my other two 500gb HDDs so that I may be able to recover all my files.

    In summary:
    1x 500gb HDD corrupted (I don't truly know to what extent)
    1x 500gb HDD with system image (but it isn't recognized by windows recovery or acronis)
    1x 120gb SSD (currently installed with Win7;had to regedit to get the install to finish)

    What I want to do:
    Restore my system image to my operable HDD (I know I will need an external), then migrate part of it to my SSD with (I was planning on using Paragon migrate to SSD, which I had purchased and installed prior to losing my initial HDD).

    Many thanks to anyone who can traverse my wall of text and lend me a hand.

    I've already tried reseating everything and booting without any USB devices plugged in, I've also memtest'd the ram and tried different sticks just in case, I've also tried removing the wireless card, so we can skip those formalities.


    TL;DR version:

    -System was running RAID, but it was not configured as an array.
    -Second 500gb HDD was not even mounted apparently, so I mounted and created a VHD for the 'failing' HDD
    -Following creating of VHD, Primary HDD had developed corrupt System32 files and would not boot successfully
    -VHD on Secondary HDD was not recognized by Windows Recovery nor Acronis True Image

    I'm now attempting to make a clone of the attached VHD and see if that will boot as the original HDD is giving me errors:
    \windows\system32\winload.exe
    Status: 0xc0000e
    Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt
    I'll post back on status as soon as the cloning of the VHD completes; hopefully it will be bootable, as when I was browsing the Windows Explorer, none of the folders were corrupted. If that fails I may try cloning with something other than Macrium Reflect.
    Last edited by Mandydeth; 03 Sep 2012 at 17:26.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2

    Hi,

    That sounds like one awful mess. I'm a little unclear about the exact order that you did things in, and which drives were members in the RAID array, or not, and which RAID type was being used. The fact that you had to use a registry edit to complete the install is also worrying - I'm not entirely sure the installation can be trusted, and for this reason I do not recommend transferring parts of installation using Paragon.

    Under the circumstances, and this is probably not what you want to hear, I think you should consider restarting. My recommendation is to do this:

    1. In the BIOS, check which RAID type you are using, and which disks are members of this RAID.
    2. Disconnect the 2 x 500GB HDD's, and then reinstall Windows to the SSD using AHCI mode - you should get a full install without any need for a registry edit. Use these guides:

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
    Clean Install Windows 7

    Post back on the information you collected on the RAID in step 1 above.

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17
    Windows 8 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Golden said:
    1. In the BIOS, check which RAID type you are using, and which disks are members of this RAID.
    2. Disconnect the 2 x 500GB HDD's, and then reinstall Windows to the SSD using AHCI mode - you should get a full install without any need for a registry edit. Use these guides:

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
    Clean Install Windows 7

    Post back on the information you collected on the RAID in step 1 above.

    Regards,
    Golden
    You're always such a great help Golden.

    To clarify a little bit:
    -System was running RAID, but it was not configured as an array.
    -Second 500gb HDD was not even mounted apparently, so I mounted and created a VHD for the failing HDD
    -Following creating of VHD, Primary HDD had developed corrupt System32 files and would not boot successfully
    -VHD on Secondary HDD was not recognized by Windows Recovery nor Acronis True Image
    -Me losing sleep

    I followed your instructions and reinstalled Win7 on the SSD. What I did the first time when I couldn't install it successfully:
    1) On the same error screen press SHIFT+F10 and it will open up a black Window. (a command prompt window)
    2) In the black windows type the word "regedit"(without the inverted commas and hit enter. That will open the registry editor.
    In the Registry Editor..
    Browse to....
    HKLocal machine/SYSTEM/SETUP/STATUS/ChildCompletion, and after highliting childcompletion,on the right hand side check for setup.exe. if the value is 1 change it to 3.(by double clicking on setup.exe and changing the value shown in the box).
    Then close the registry editor and then also close the black window.
    Then click on OK for the error and the computer will restart and the installation may complete.
    Now when I followed your instructions I had this same issue. Not sure if it's related to me using a USB for the install, but I'm not going to worry too much about it at the moment.

    My main dilema now is finding out a way to either get the VHD recognized and installed from there, or salvage all my programs from my corrupted HDD, as I can still browse files on it.

    Also, for some odd reason my corrupted hard drive has 3 versions of Windows 7 listed on the boot menu (I only had one version installed).

    The exact error it gives me when I select either of the top 2 versions is:
    \windows\system32\winload.exe
    Status: 0xc0000e
    Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt
    The 3rd Windows 7 just takes me to the recovery partition.

    I researched the issues on the first two copies over here, and I attempted the solution listed their by going into CMD and checking the status of the file by going to:
    CD \windows\system32\config

    It returned the error "The file or directory is corrupted or unreadable" yet again.

    Is it possible that my hard drive is in fact not corrupt; just that file is? I'm going to run my bootable SeaTools utility and see if that will take me further.

    Also, if I copy the System32 files from the VHD image, do you think that will remedy the whole issue?
    I tried replacing the System32 folder but it's saying that it's corrupt and unreadable even in explorer.

    Perhaps if I copy all the uncorrupt files and replace the corrupt ones with the VHD's copies of them I will have a remedy, trying that next.

    Currently in the process of using Macrium Reflect to make a clone of the virtual image of the VHD I attached. Wouldn't let me to a regular clone, so I had to go sector-for-sector. It's taking quite a while (been running for 3 hours or so and only at 18%) but I'm hoping this may remedy my issue. I'll give Acronis or something else a shot afterwards if it doesn't remedy my issue.
    Last edited by Mandydeth; 03 Sep 2012 at 17:02.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #4

    Hi,

    That sounds awfully complicated - I'm still concerned that you get errors when you install from a USB. You shouldn't be getting that at all - have you checked to see that you have a good ISO and that its correctly loaded to the USB?

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17
    Windows 8 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Golden said:
    Hi,

    That sounds awfully complicated - I'm still concerned that you get errors when you install from a USB. You shouldn't be getting that at all - have you checked to see that you have a good ISO and that its correctly loaded to the USB?

    Regards,
    Golden
    Not sure if it's of consolation, but after I tried installing Windows 7 and got the error the first time, I tried installing Windows 8 (thought it was worth a shot), and it actually gave me the same exact issue where it would put me into a restarting loop as it wouldn't allow me to finish the installation without editing the registry.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #6

    Did you disconnect the other 2 x HDD's when you tried to install Windows 7 to the SSD?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17
    Windows 8 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Golden said:
    Did you disconnect the other 2 x HDD's when you tried to install Windows 7 to the SSD?
    Correct, I disconnected both of them.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #8

    Hi,

    The only thing I can suggest is that you downlaod the ISO again and burn it to USB again - I have never had to edit the registry to complete an installlation using this technique.

    Download the ISO from this location:

    Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17
    Windows 8 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    So the backed up VHD boots but tells me "The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible."

    I ran the System Recovery disc and then got "An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data". I ran /fixmbr and now it boots but BSODs right after the Windows Logo starts 'coming together'.

    I switched from ACHI to RAID (the HDD was initially on RAID), and it helped a little bit. It now finishes the Windows 7 logo completely and gives me the error "autochk program not found skipping auto check" before entering a reboot list. I ran system repair again, no luck.

    I'm currently running chkdsk on the drive and seeing if that will fix any errors.

    chkdsk hung-up half way though and made no more progress, had to shut down. I'm going to see if the new HDD I'm ordering will make a more stable replacement for my failed disk, as I can't fit the whole recovery on the SSD; will post back with updates when it arrives.
    Last edited by Mandydeth; 05 Sep 2012 at 23:38.
      My Computer


 

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