Can't boot from, or create Macrium rescue media on new external drive

Hi all,

I finally got some sense and started backing up my pc after the hard drive started sounding strained (I've since moved my Windows 7 to an SSD to give the HHD a break).

I initially got a 1TB Verbatim external drive, downloaded the free Macrium Reflect, and that backed up fine until I realised the drive won't be big enough for 2 full backups, so bought a 4TB Maxtor external drive, which should last me much longer.

I've changed the backup definitions, and Macrium recognised the Maxtor just fine (it is also showing up fine in Windows Explorer) and completed a full backup, but when I went to create a rescue media, it only found the smaller Verbatim drive (Edit: I unplugged the smaller drive and reset the pc, but issue remained).
I tried copying the rescue media files from the Verbatim to the Maxtor, but testing it now, I can't even boot from the Maxtor to see if the media works.

In theory I could probably recover my files if I had both drives, but ideally I'd like to be able to do it all from the Maxtor (and also not being able to boot from it is a concern).

Any ideas on why this is happening and how I can sort it out so the Maxtor is a reliable backup drive?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum. Just create a rescue USB or DVD often pcs don't like booting from external drives. You say you copied Mr files that wouldn't create the boot files

Thanks. :)
I didn't think of putting it on a USB stick, I could do, but I really would like it all in one if I can, so I don't need to remember where things are and go digging in case I need to restore my system (I do my best to keep things safe, but I move a lot and my things tend to go walkies).
I did copy the MR files, and still nothing. Is there no way to fix the pc not 'seeing' the drive on boot?

Is the drive mbr or gpt ? As explained just coping files doesntwork as the boot sector isnt written you would have to create a parition on the hd so MR can create the boot files
Creating rescue media - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

samuria said:

Is the drive mbr or gpt ? As explained just coping files doesntwork as the boot sector isnt written you would have to create a parition on the hd so MR can create the boot files

Ok, I just assumed that the fact that I could see and access the data in Windows Explorer was enough (like with any plug and play), didn't realise I needed to partition the new drive.

So after rooting around on the Macrium support page you linked to I finally found this, which should have solved it -
Preparing a USB stick for Windows PE - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

But after following all the steps I've ended up with a drive that's only half the size (from 4tb to 2tb) and no longer visible in Windows Explorer (but is in disk management, where it shows nearly 1680gb unallocated that I can't do anything with. I also tried with EaseUS partition manager, and can't do anything with that chunk there either).

It's an MBR, and after a bit of reading it seems that this may be the norm (nothing more than 2tb being usable)? Surely there's a way to get access to the full 4tb?
I've formatted it a few different ways now, but haven't got the missing 2tb back, and I'm not happy.

Any help sorting this out would be greatly appreciated..

Ok, it seems like I might have sorted some of it out now, and have the full 4tb back.
Found this -
Free Convert MBR to GPT Without Data Loss - EaseUS
and seems I just missed a step or two on the way.

MR now allows me to select this drive to create a rescue media, but once I actually try to it says the drive is GPT and needs to be MBR.
So is there a way to make the drive MBR without loosing the 2tb again?

Hi, wait some experts would definitely help you. What is your disk make

jraju said:

Hi, wait some experts would definitely help you. What is your disk make

Hi, I hope you're right and someone will be able to help!
As mentioned in OP, the drive is a Maxtor, which is really a Seagate in a cheaper box.

As for the actual issue - now that I got the drive partitioned (single GPT partition), I tried copy-pasting the recovery media from my smaller drive to see if it would boot, and the good news is the Maxtor now appears in the boot menu (as 'seagate' and with the wrong size info, but still), but when I select it, the PC just boots as usual, ignoring my selection.

So yeah, still hoping for a creative solution!

As advised by one, it is a must that it should have a boot or say rescue disk. You just have it in a pendrive. No problem. It should autoboot to you and should show you to select the mac ref file , so that it would be taking a backup of your stored image.If it is a new disk, there might be some files, which you could just delete it, (preloaded files), and there is nothing wrong in it. How did you make your rescue disk? If you follow the instructions of create rescue disk, it is so designed to make it boot from the pen drive.
I do not understand, why it shows half of the storage? Why make two partitions. Just try to format the disk, quick format is enough. If you go for normal format, then it would take hours and days to format the total hdd. But, quick format is enough. Then see the storage size. If there are previous version hidden in the disk, it will take its storage. Just make sure , that all the hidden files are shown in folders options in the view tab.
Check for storage then. Now it shows the total. go ahead with it. Should you want a backup that is workable, please see the instructions in the application pages to be doubly sure of what it will be.
If the previous version is available in the respective properties tab, then check whether a previous back up is pending... The solution lies in your trying and doing the things.
I had experience of this sort. First, i tried the impossible normal format, and it has taken over 8hours to just see the green pregress, then saw that computer hangs , giving no chance to close, but to force shut.
Then i just quick format it and then in required format ntfs or fat as shown in the example.
Everything should work proper if you correctly follow, which i did to backup my c; drive I formatted my disk in disk management.