Annoying problem with System Image restore

Hi folks,

I will attempt to explain my problem as clearly as possible.

I'm having problems with System Image Restore, (I'm underlining Image because I am referring to the complete image I created of my hardrive.

Now, I have NEVER used the Back Up Now option in the past. When I have wanted to create a System Image Restore I have always used the Create a System Image, and gone through through the process of putting it onto the external drive, which works perfectly, (I should have used that method). The problem is, usually if I want to create a new image, I deleted the old one, by going into the external hard drive and using a rather caveman approach by simply deleting the file via right click context menu!!! The trouble with this method is that Windows 7 still thinks the entry is still there and wont delete the entry from System Restore, the result being that System Restore becomes clogged with useless orphaned entrys.

In order to avoid this, I decided for the first time to use the Back Up Now option, which I heard supported System Image, so if I ever wanted to delete the System Image, I could do it through the Back Up Now method, so W7 would delete not only the image but the entry as well.. So I proceeded to create the System Image using this different method. It shows up in System Restore, and the external drive looks slightly filled, (which I assumed was the image), but when I went to restore I was told that no image could be found!!!

I have included screenshots. Why can it not find the Image? Is Windows 7 being disingenuous when it says it can create a System Image from Back Up Now?

Please can someone explain.

Just decided to create an image using the Create a System Image and noticed it shows up in Back Up Now, so that's good. I thought I had to use Back Up Now to create the image for it to show up in the Back Up information panel, but it doesn't. Excellent, all is good!