Disk quandary: works fine, but failing: can't backup, clone or restore

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  1. Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
       #1

    Disk quandary: works fine, but failing: can't backup, clone or restore


    I've got a Dell mini 1012 with Win7 Starter. The 160 SATA drive is well on the way out with over 2000 failed sectors. I've tried several ways to clone it, including clonezilla and rawcopy in sector-by-sector mode, and they all fail. Backing up from within the installation also fails, using easeus and win7, with Windows abruptly crashing.

    I tried a chkdsk /r, and it froze at Stage 4, on file 4019. I'm running a SFC currently.

    The odd thing is that the installation is working fine. I have added and deleted user accounts, done multiple uninstalls and installs, etc.

    The Restore partition is on the drive, but it is just as corrupted as the C partition. And the Win7 coa is unreadable (which quite seems to be a case of planned obsolescence...).

    Is there any way to clone this installation so I don't have to order recovery disks from Dell?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,007
    Winndows 7 32 bit
       #2

    paul1149 said:
    I've got a Dell mini 1012 with Win7 Starter. The 160 SATA drive is well on the way out with over 2000 failed sectors. I've tried several ways to clone it, including clonezilla and rawcopy in sector-by-sector mode, and they all fail. Backing up from within the installation also fails, using easeus and win7, with Windows abruptly crashing.

    I tried a chkdsk /r, and it froze at Stage 4, on file 4019. I'm running a SFC currently.

    The odd thing is that the installation is working fine. I have added and deleted user accounts, done multiple uninstalls and installs, etc.

    The Restore partition is on the drive, but it is just as corrupted as the C partition. And the Win7 coa is unreadable (which quite seems to be a case of planned obsolescence...).

    Is there any way to clone this installation so I don't have to order recovery disks from Dell?
    Hi paul1149,

    It seems hard-drive has completely failed and that is the reason you are unable to clone the partion from the hard-drive.

    If the system is under warranty then please contact me through a private message with your service tag and contact information so I may access your system records.

    And, if the system is out of warranty then you contact our Expired Warranty Support at the link below:

    http://dell.to/12LmNBq

    Hope it helps.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Sandeep. From what I can figure, the drive has failed in non-critical areas, since Windows is operating fine. It's not under warranty, and without the coa I can't reinstall windows, so I'm leaning toward using the machine for parts.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,007
    Winndows 7 32 bit
       #4

    paul1149 said:
    Thanks Sandeep. From what I can figure, the drive has failed in non-critical areas, since Windows is operating fine. It's not under warranty, and without the coa I can't reinstall windows, so I'm leaning toward using the machine for parts.
    Hi paul1149,

    Thanks for your reply. I understand windows is working fine on the system however, it is matter of time before windows fail to boot as hard-drive has been detected with many error.

    If your system was shipped with this Windows then there must be COA label on the laptop itself. Kindly check the label on the laptop and using that product key you should be able to install Windows on the system.

    If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    I would try to image and restore with free Macrium.

    Imaging with free Macrium
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Yes there is a COA, but unfortunately the COA MS or Dell supplies is not made to stand up to normal use, and is worn past the point of readability. That seems rather negligent, considering the critical importance of the key.

    whs - I've tried easesus todo, hdrawcopy, clonezilla with advanced switches, parted magic, windows' own imaging - all to no avail. I don't believe this disk is clonable.
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7

    Don't try to clone the whole disk. Make individual images of each partition. Maybe that works. If you could post a picture of your Disk Management, that would help.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,007
    Winndows 7 32 bit
       #8

    paul1149 said:
    Yes there is a COA, but unfortunately the COA MS or Dell supplies is not made to stand up to normal use, and is worn past the point of readability. That seems rather negligent, considering the critical importance of the key.

    whs - I've tried easesus todo, hdrawcopy, clonezilla with advanced switches, parted magic, windows' own imaging - all to no avail. I don't believe this disk is clonable.
    Hi paul1149,

    Thanks for your reply. I believe your system is bootable and using the same product supplied with the system.

    Please check the link below which would help you find the product key used by the system:

    Where to find my WIndows 7 Product Key

    If you are able to find the same then save it to a place where you can access it in times of need.

    Hope it helps.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,025
    Linux Lite 3.2 x64; Windows 7, 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #9

    whs - that is a good idea. I think I tried it before, but in any case I have tried it again, and still am stuck. The partition won't clone or back up. It hangs on bad sectors, whether I'm doing a sector-by-sector backup or not. I whipped out seatools in a repair attempt and the drive failed a Long Generic.

    Sandeep - I believe the windows key in the registry is not the same as on the COA and will not work, but if I can boot the machine up again it's worth a try.
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #10

    Did you run a chkdsk X: /r where X is the partition letter.
      My Computer


 
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