I copy them all the time from target primary-formatted partition on secondary HD into folder on external. Then, as stated, I have to move them out of folder into external root to have them autodetected by reimaging app.
They are immed detected on the primary formatted partition.
Hmm, ok. I don't know what else to try. Is there a way to restore an image from inside Windows 7? I'm considering just reinstalling at this point but I'm worried I'll have activation issues.
Edit: Yup, it wouldn't even take my key when I tried to reinstall 7. I guess I'll try copying the image to the new local drive again.
Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it. :)
Last edited by Petee; 19 Feb 2010 at 12:02. Reason: New info
I do not know if you currently have the capability, but make another image to a location you want to use. Then try to recover it. You should then know for sure the path.
What messages are you getting when you try to find the image? I assume you are using the advanced option and turning on the network? If it matters, I am booting to the repair CD and selecting restore image.
One note, you will not be able to restore an image to a drive (not talking about partitions) smaller than the original, or at least that is what it looks like to me.
Edit: I need to amend the above statement. It now appears the new drive will have to be as large as all the partitioned space on the original drive. Even though it only backs up and restores the C: partition (if that what you chose), it will need a new drive large enough to accomodate the other partition sizes as well.
Last edited by Saltgrass; 19 Feb 2010 at 20:49.
I unfortunately can't make any other images to test. I only had 7 on one PC and the hard drive it was installed on is dead. I am using the network option under advanced. When I put in the network path and some login info (my server isn't set to need a login) a dialog box comes up real quick then goes away. I think it says scanning for images or something to that effect. After that nothing new comes up. It just shows the empty table.
Edit: My new drive is 750gb and the original one that I imaged was 200gb, so size shouldn't be an issue.
Last edited by Petee; 20 Feb 2010 at 20:36. Reason: Forgot something
When I made mine on the network it asked for credentials so it could check later. Do you remember doing that? Are you using the same username and password? Before I could even do that, the backup had to verify the destination was reachable.
If you have no other options, you should be able to move the folder to an external drive.
Yes, you need to password the server first to make it work via network.
What are the activation issues that concern you?
Well I have a student upgrade version and I already activated it originally when I first installed it on the old drive. I didn't think it would let me activate it again. It is looking like that is just what I'll have to do though. It still can't find my backup, even though I made a copy of it to a local partition. I have 7 on there now (currently not activated) and I can mount the VHD from my backup and browse it, but I can't restore it. I've tried loading the VHD into virtual PC to try to make a new backup to a new location from there, but I keep getting a disk read error.
You own a retail copy of Win7 which can be reinstalled on any machine at any time you want, as long as it is on only one machine at a time.
Make bootable iso from student d/l
Bootable ISO - Create from Installation Files
Burn to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x with Verify - it never fails.
Activation may require a robocall to MS which deactivates the old install and activates the new one. If there are any problems, an activation agent will be there to help you. If any further problems arise, call MS Customer Service and open a support case.
MS cannot steal your purchased property back from you. It is yours to use as you please for the rest of your life.
Did you put the file out in the root of an external or shared drive and is it named exactly WindowsImageBackup?
I am attaching images of my folders where the backup image is stored. I do this so you can compare your backup to make sure you have an image and not just a file backup.
gregrocker - Thank you, I didn't realize that reactivation in this case could be that simple. Yes, I have put the WindowsImageBackup folder in the root of both the shared folder and a local partition I created on my new HDD. Can't get it to find either one to restore from.
Saltgrass - Thank you for the comparison images. Yes, mine matches those (except for the computer name and date of course)
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