Windows 7 install Not Shown in Restore

tomg · 25 Nov 2019

I recently upgraded an older Windows 7 computer to Windows 10 with no issues. I now wish to upgrade another older Windows 7 computer to Windows 10. During the first upgrade, I made a system image and repair disk to use in the event of upgrade failure but fortunately did not need it. However, as a test, I did start the computer with the repair disk to be sure I could see the disk image. I was also able to see the installed operating system in the restore window. Concerning the second computer, when I start it with the repair disk I made for it, I am able to see the system image I made for it but am not able to see the installed Windows 7 operating system in the restore window. Will this have any impact on my ability to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 on this computer? Strangely, the boot drive is not shown in the BIOS but is shown in Administrative Tools -> Disk Management of the current Windows 7 installation. May I proceed with the upgrade to Windows 10 or is not being able to see the current installation of Windows 7 in the restore window a red flag that the Windows 10 upgrade will fail? Thank you.

Snick · 25 Nov 2019

Repair disk a waste of time.
What restore window? on second computer?
System Image? Where? Not on a Disk!
You lost me.
Upgrade from Win7 to Win10 YES?

If you didn't have an issue with the first Upgrade, what is the problem now?
Win upgrades make a backup C:\Windows.old

You should always make a full disk image to an external drive, even a USB temporarily is better than relying on windows, and you certainly don't want to save it on the drive you are upgrading.

Bill

Snick · 25 Nov 2019

System Restore & System Image
The only similarity is "System"
Bill

Snick · 25 Nov 2019

Microsoft System Update Readiness Tool http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821 for the purpose of ascertaining if you have any issue that may prevent an Upgrade, either In Place Upgrade or Upgrade from, say, Win7 to Win10.

tomg · 25 Nov 2019

Repair disk a waste of time.
I thought I needed the repair disk to boot the computer and use the system image if the upgrade to Win 10 fails and I cannot restart the computer.

What restore window? on second computer?
The window that appears when I select "restore from system image" after booting the second computer with the repair disk that I made for the second computer.

System Image? Where? Not on a Disk!
I tried putting the system image on an external hard disk that is connected to a USB3 port but it was not "found" when I got the the "restore from system image" screen.

You lost me.
Upgrade from Win7 to Win10 YES?

If you didn't have an issue with the first Upgrade, what is the problem now?
No problem yet - just trying to prevent one.

Win upgrades make a backup C:\Windows.old

You should always make a full disk image to an external drive, even a USB temporarily is better than relying on windows, and you certainly don't want to save it on the drive you are upgrading.
After I tried putting the system image on an external hard disk that is connected to a USB3 port but it was not "found" when I got the the "restore from system image" screen as mentioned above, I then made another system image on an internal hard disk (not the one I am upgrading), and the "restore from system image" screen could see it.

Also, I went back to the bios and the drive I am upgrading is shown the "boot order" portion of the bios screen so maybe I am worrying needlessly.

Thank you.

Snick · 25 Nov 2019

No repair disk, you create a bootable disk from the backup software to access the image

You can't restore an image that you saved with M$ on one computer to another computer unless you have that image to transfer. Then it will most likely not work properly because it is a different computer, different registry, different applications. Some or most applications will/may work, but you never know.

If you make the image with M$ I'm not sure about that at all, don't use it as I said.

Above is per paragraph of last post. Yes, too worried. Use AOMEI, to external hard drive, with integrity check, look for image on EHD it's there. You can open it with AOMEI
Here's 2 Videos on AOMEI
Back up disk easily with AOMEI Backupper

tomg · 25 Nov 2019

Your patience is appreciated. Researching AEOMI quickly, it appears to not not only make a system backup but also provides a method to create bootable media that will start the system when windows will not start. I am unsure if this old computer, Intel 2600K processor in Asus P8z68-V Gen 3 motherboard, will boot to a flash drive but it will boot to a CD and it looks like AEOMI will make a bootable CD. Guess I could just make a bootable flash drive with AEOMI, configure the bios to boot to the flash drive, and see what happens or is there a better way to run a test boot to a flash drive? Thank you.

RolandJS · 25 Nov 2019

AOMEI, like Macrium Reflect, has a verify saved image somewhere in its menu board. That might be enough assurance concerning your saved system partition full image.

Snick · 25 Nov 2019

There you go tomg, cookin' now!!

There are no dumb questions! Always hope that OP has issue resolved and knowledge has been passed along as well!

Yes, AOMEI will make bootable media ISO, CD or DVD being AOMEI WinPE ISO Image is less than 750 MB.
Any AOMEI will open any AOMEI created ISO, for sure x64 on x64 x32 on x32, not sure about cross x64 open x32 maybe, x32 open x64 I don't think so, not sure.
Here's a link to AOMEI Professional with working key, use 2nd one, just tried it, it works, checked link clean, download clean!
YES I ALWAYS TEST LINKS AND DOWNLOADS!

Patience is a virtue when working with computers!

tomg · 26 Nov 2019

Hope to proceed with AOMEI today after dealing with HVAC tech. Sure appreciate your encouragement. Will post again shortly. Thank you.