Solved Advanced Recovery - System Image Question

[Pooky1959]

Hi,
I trying to do an Advanced System Recovery from a System Image I have on DVDs.
I don't get very far (after it says to put the LAST DVD in) and it asks that I install "Drivers?" and the pop-up access takes me to System32>drivers, yet I believe that it wants system information. But what system information and where do I find among all that is available in the System32('s) many selections.

Will there be anymore surprises like this further in that I should be aware of now and be prepared for?

Oh, I run Windows Pro 7 32bit, on an eMachine El1200, I also have an 2TB external hard drive attached.

 

[whs]

Hmm, I am not sure I understand your problem. Sounds like you want to make an image recovery but have no image - but a system copy instead.

If you want to use imaging, I recommend you go with the free Macrium Reflect. That is the easiest to use and the most reliable, and it is fast too. And put your images on your 2TB disk - not on DVDs.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[Pooky1959]

Actually, I have a System Image (on DVDs) already. It's in the process of trying to put it to use by doing an Advanced Recovery, that the need for loading 'System Information' comes up.

 

[whs]

How did you make that system image.

 

[Pooky1959]

I created it using Windows 7's 'Create a System Image' in Back up or restore your files area, left pane.

 

[whs]

I created it using Windows 7's 'Create a System Image' in Back up or restore your files area, left pane.

Hmm, understand. In principle the recovery should work then. But Windows imaging is so shaky that you never know what happens. That's why I always recommend to use Macrium. There you are on safe grounds.

But the images should go to an external disk - DVDs are a bad choice for various reasons. If nothing helps and if you absolutely need that image from your DVDs, you can try to recover the VHD and go from there. I have written a little tutorial for that case.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/210195-system-image-recover-broken-windows-7-system-image.html

 

[Pooky1959]

Can the Macrium program be used at this point in time, the damage that is done is older than any of my back up or restore points.

 

[whs]

If you have a damaged system, no imaging at this time can fix the problem. You need an image from before the damage was done.

 

[marsmimar]

If the damage/corruption is not fixable with the DVDs, you might have to try restoring your machine to factory specifications. I found this eMachine support article that might point you in the right direction. The major problem with a factory restore is you will lose all personal data, programs, etc.

eMachines Support - Full Factory Recovery

My apologies, Wolfgang. Just adding another possibility to your excellent (as always) advice.

 

[Pooky1959]

All these are great things to know and I love learning new techniques for repairing my PC, but my original question still has not been answered.
If needed, I can list the basic steps taken to get to the point where I am prompted to load the drivers.

 

[marsmimar]

The very first time I tried making a system image using the native Windows 7 imaging tool, I also put the image on DVDs. If I remember correctly, it took 9 DVDs and either the 7th or 8th DVD didn't burn correctly. I was prompted to install drivers, extract files, and all kinds of other weird "stuff".

If a system image is created correctly (not a sure thing using DVDs) it should load everything back onto your computer seamlessly without asking for anything else because the image contains everything your computer needs.

If your DVDs had all burned correctly, the only prompts you should have received during the restore process would have been to insert the next DVD. There shouldn't have been any reason to prompt for drivers or anything else. So I suspect you have a bad DVD.

This all assumes that your computer is properly working at the time the image is made. If your computer has damaged or corrupt files, a virus, etc when the system image is made, these problems will be on the image as well. In the event your computer crashes and you can't boot into Windows to access the advanced recovery options, you'd also want to have a System Repair Disc available.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Hope I've cleared up some things rather than make things more confusing.

 

[Pooky1959]

Yes, Yes and Yes.
That answers my question. I didn't think it was having any problems at the time I made the Image on DVDs, but it must have.
Well, I have every thing backed up multiple times, in multiple places. So at least I won't loss everything.
Thank you both for your input and time. And I have Downloaded Macrium and burned a WinPE Rescue Disc, Per Wolfgang's recommendation.

Blessings,
Trina

 

[marsmimar]

You're very welcome Trina. Feel free to drop in any time if you have other questions.

 

[Pooky1959]

Thank you!

 

[whs]

Good to hear that you can see light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure you will have more luck with Macrium.