Drive not availabe in Windows Backup

[meetdenis]

Hi All,

I have two HDD's installed on my PC.
The 1st one is 500GB and has three partitions, in one of which Windows 7 is installed.
The 2nd one is 160GB and has only one partition. I plan to use this one as a backup drive.

When I go to setup the Windows Backup wizard, in the list of partitions where I can choose to create the backup, it does not show me the 2nd drive partion. It only shows two partitions from the 1st drive.

How do I make the wizard display the 2nd drive as well?

The second drive is detected by Win 7 and I can also access it from Windows Explorer and other areas. I can read/write files to it. It's just that it is not shown in the Windows Backup options.

I had XP installed on the 2nd drive earlier, and so I think Windows Backup does not show it as it identifies some system-critical files on it(same reason it doesn't show the partition on which 7 is installed).

I have formatted the 2nd drive, but still no luck.
I also tried the Disk Wiper tool in CCleaner to erase all hidden files in the drive, but that takes ages to wipe the disk.

Please help.

 

[truckinguy]

I can't answer but Acronis Home Image can see my drives after I clean them but Win 7 can't.. Strange.

 

[meetdenis]

Thanks for the help, Hopalong X, but this is not the problem I am facing.
The tutorial shows how to create a System Image. This I have already created.

The issue I described is with the Setup Backup option where my actual documents, images, etc. need to be backed up.

I want to set the backup such that it will backup all my files in the second HDD. But the HDD is not shown in the list.

Hope this has clarified and I get a solution.

 

[Hopalong X]

I realized that after reading your post a second time.

You found your way to the proper place but the HD isn't showing.

I have been looking for a tutorial since to show you how to format the storage HD.
That way we know for sure Windows is totally recognizing it. No luck so far.

I know how but explaining it may be a problem.

Go to Start and type "create partition" in search bar. Click "Create a Partion".
This will open Disk Management. My second Snip.

You will only show two hard drives if it is showing properly.

 

[Hopalong X]

This should erase info on Disk and format.

On the storage hard drive right click where I made the blue X with circle.

Do this on storage drive not the OS!!!

Then click Delete Volume in the pop up window I circled in yellow.

I am making Snips and posting as I do it on mine so this may take a few minutes for everything.

 

[derekimo]

Just a thought, is your old XP drive formatted to NTFS?

Back up your programs, system settings, and files

 

[Hopalong X]

Left top Snip below.
Now the drive will show Unallocated.
Right click where I marked the blue x again then click New Simple Volume.

Top middle Snip click next, Top right click Next and all of the windows click "NEXT".
I think there were 4 total to click NEXT.

Then bottom left SNIP will show. It should say as mine Healthy Primary.

Hopefully after all this it will show in Windows Backup.

Let us know if it works or not and we will go from there.
Mike

 

[Hopalong X]

When you get to the below left SNIP make sure NTFS is selected.

 

[kado897]

How about this for a thought. Windows backup reserves only 30% of the partition for backup. Is 30% of 160GB large enough to hold at least one backup.

 

[meetdenis]

Just a thought, is your old XP drive formatted to NTFS?

Back up your programs, system settings, and files

Yes Derekimo, it is an NTFS drive

 

[Hopalong X]

Tutorial I finally found. This shows doing a partition on the disk but steps are similar to what I posted.
If you need it.
Don't follow it or you will have a partition.
I thought it might help give added info if you don't understand my steps.

Option One.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

 

[meetdenis]

When you get to the below left SNIP make sure NTFS is selected.

^^ Thanks a ton Mike. Will try that and let you know. But I got a feeling this is gonna work aready

Tutorial I finally found. This shows doing a partition on the disk but steps are similar to what I posted.
If you need it.
Don't follow it or you will have a partition.
I thought it might help give added info if you don't understand my steps.

Option One.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

^^ Yes, this I do not require and will not do as I have already created all the partitions I need.
I guess it was only that the existing partition needs to be erased and a Simple New Volume needs to be created to fix the problem. Thanks again for the prompt help.

 

[meetdenis]

How about this for a thought. Windows backup reserves only 30% of the partition for backup. Is 30% of 160GB large enough to hold at least one backup.

Whoa! Never knew that. But I am sure there must be some way to increase the %age?

 

[kado897]

How about this for a thought. Windows backup reserves only 30% of the partition for backup. Is 30% of 160GB large enough to hold at least one backup.

Whoa! Never knew that. But I am sure there must be some way to increase the %age?

I don't think so. Have you considered using an alternative backup like Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

 

[meetdenis]

I don't think so. Have you considered using an alternative backup like Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Yes, I have tried backup software like Paragon Drive Backup, Titan Backup & Uranium Backup when I used XP. But I do not want to use a separate software when Windows 7 provides one in-house.

But I am surprised that Windows does not let the 30% limit be increased.
Especially when you consider that many, to minimize risk, will back up to a separate physical storage like a HDD, USB or a disc. How then, does the 30% limit make sense in this case? Just wondering at the rationale.

 

[kado897]

I don't think so. Have you considered using an alternative backup like Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Yes, I have tried backup software like Paragon Drive Backup, Titan Backup & Uranium Backup when I used XP. But I do not want to use a separate software when Windows 7 provides one in-house.

But I am surprised that Windows does not let the 30% limit be increased.
Especially when you consider that many, to minimize risk, will back up to a separate physical storage like a HDD, USB or a disc. How then, does the 30% limit make sense in this case? Just wondering at the rationale.

I think the 30% limit only applies to HDD and only when doing a full backup. I think if you set space management to keep one image and just create an image then it doesn't apply but you don't get the scheduling with that.

 

[meetdenis]

On the storage hard drive right click where I made the blue X with circle.

Do this on storage drive not the OS!!!

Then click Delete Volume in the pop up window I circled in yellow.

^^ On the storage drive, the Delete Volume option is disabled

This is how my disks look. The G: is the storage drive

 

[derekimo]

On the storage hard drive right click where I made the blue X with circle.

Do this on storage drive not the OS!!!

Then click Delete Volume in the pop up window I circled in yellow.

^^ On the storage drive, the Delete Volume option is disabled

This is how my disks look. The G: is the storage drive

I believe that has something to do with it being marked active, also your statement here,

I had XP installed on the 2nd drive earlier, and so I think Windows Backup does not show it as it identifies some system-critical files on it

And this,

I have formatted the 2nd drive, but still no luck.
I also tried the Disk Wiper tool in CCleaner to erase all hidden files in the drive, but that takes ages to wipe the disk.

I'm not sure you did that successfully, looking at your disk management window.

And since it still shows almost 7gb still on that drive as well.

The fact that is the first disk listed might be a problem as well.

 

[meetdenis]

The fact that is the first disk listed might be a problem as well.

I think the problem lies as it says G: is a 'System' drive.
I guess Windows 7 boot critical files might be present on the G: instead of C:

I fear this because when installing Windows 7, I had the G: connected.
Can this be possible? that Windows 7 is installed on C: but the boot critical files are stored in G: ? :huh:

If yes, I think I would need to do a complete format of G: before the OS loads. How to do that?

And if no, then what could be the other cause? and its fix?

 

[Hopalong X]

You got it meetdenis.

System should be with Boot. As mine is below.

You may need to start over.

Plug in just the main HD to install the OS.
You can install the OS to your "C" and leave the partitions -or- wipe the entire drive and start from scratch. If you do that do not make the extra partitions logical. It isn't necessary if you have only 4 partitions and you cannot change them back to "Primary" without losing your data on the Logical partition..

This will get you thru deleting partion if needed.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2668-partition-volume-delete.html

Extend volume- put the partitioned areas back together. Just in case.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2670-partition-volume-extend.html

Create volume or parttion.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

What I would do. My opinion.

1) Get what ever files you want to keep off the PC. Just in case so you have a backup. Flash/thumb drive?

2) I would repartition and get rid of the logical partitions. My prefernce but not a necessity. Go with what you want.

3) Main item. Use one HD installed/plugged in and install Windows. Putting it back on "C" is fine. System, Boot will be together.
Pain in the butt but I see no other choice.

4) Then we can get back to HD number two for storage. Once System is on C then storage can be formated.
Windows is using BOTH HD's right now so we can't change it.