Solved Backup and restore cannot locate my external HD yet icon is visible

[kenzolc]

Hi guys,

I am new here but I have been browsing for days trying to solve various problems with this laptop. I have done a clean install of windows 7 on the c drive (after deleting the partition as my first clean install just wrote over the top of what was on there).

Now I have the icon of my ex HD appearing in the "Hard Disk Drives" along with c, d and e drives. When I use the Backup and Restore tool with intentions to restore this to the way I have backed up, the tool cannot locate my ex HD. Should it be in the "Devices with removable storage" location?

I am sorry if there is an answer somewhere here already but I have spent too much time searching and getting various solutions to similar issues but cannot see this one.

Please help me!

 

[deepak7]

how do you clean installed...do u know anything about reverting back to pre installed os with recovery cd

 

[kenzolc]

i had a seriously slow boot up time of up to 28hours at one point! usb drivers failing. i decided to completely re-install windows from the disc. the first chance (after many times of shutdown and restart) that my external hd was able to be read i did a system backup. i followed the steps for custom install and it re-installed on my c drive without erasing what was on there. i read that if you do a custom (clean) install that it would delete all and start fresh. so that didn't work and my ex hd appeared in the hard disks section. i deleted that partition and installed again. still ex hd appears in wrong section. i do have a repair disc that i made but i am not sure if that will help me...

is it a driver issue? and where can i get the latest drivers? it says mine are all working fine though...

 

[deepak7]

latest drivers can be downloaded by your product official support page

 

[Golden]

Hi kenzoic,

Can you please supply your system specifications using this tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

Also, we should look at your partitions. Please follow these steps:

1. Click Start rb:
2. In the search box, type disk management
3. Select the option that says 'Create and format hard disk partitions'

Maximise that screen that opens, then take the screen capture image and upload it here in your next reply.

Regards,
Golden

 

[kenzolc]

Hi Golden,

Thank you so much for your reply and concern. I was about to take it down to some repair place and throw away some money. I know it must be a simple fix... I had the same problem last year, extremely slow boot up and usb device not showing. I was charged $150 and all the said was that they just re-installed my windows... why is it so hard for me to do?

I have updated my info and here is the screen shot. My ex HD is plug in but not shwoing at all now in 'computer'. Are PCs always this troublesome? Had an Apple Powerbook since 2002 and not one issue ever... Is this particular PC problematic?

Thanks so much for your help!
Cheers.
Ken

 

[kenzolc]

i have shutdown and started again. now ex HD is visible below are new screen shots.

 

[kenzolc]

any ideas? anyone?

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Sorry, I'm confused. Isn't the issue fixed now? The USB drive shows in Explorer now....wasn't the problem that it didn't show?

Regards,
Golden

 

[kenzolc]

The problem is that it is showing but when I try to use the tool that allows you to find a device for restoring cannot locate it. And I think it is in the wrong place. Shouldn't it be in "devices with removable storage" ?

thx

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Nope - it should show under Hard Disk Drives. See my 2 x USB drives in the image below.

Which tool are you using for restoring an image?

Regards,
Golden

 

[kenzolc]

hi golden,

thx for responding. geez i'm glad i have this little netbook that works!

i am using control panel - backup and restore. windows cannot find even when clicking select another backup to restore files from.

if i can can access my ex hd, is there a way i can restore the pc with the backup i have on the ex hd?

cheers.

btw now waiting 40mins for boot on that thing... strange because there is nothing in it.

edit - took just over an hour to boot!

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Unfortuantely I have no experience with the Windows backup and restore functions. The best I can do, is ask someone with more knowledge of that option to visit this thread.

Regards,
Golden

 

[kenzolc]

Ok. Thanks anyway mate. I might leave it for a few days and see if someone can help. If no luck I'll take it to the repair shop.

Cheers.

 

[Golden]

Don't take it to a repair shop - I've requested some help.

Regards,
Golden

 

[karlsnooks]

ken,
I have plenty of experience and knowledge re Windows Backup and Restore.

I also have too much experience regarding Win 7 problems.

Why do I say that?

Because we must first ascertain that your system is OK.

When the system is OK then you will find that making a backup is a piece of cake as the expression goes.

To accomplish that objective, I need you to use SPECCY and this write-up to add some fine points to your specs. There is a method in my madness.

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

=====================
so that very important requests are not missed, then the next request till follow immediately.

From you standpoint (and mine), I can not proceed until both requests are fulfilled.

thanks,
karl

 

[karlsnooks]

Here is the promised 2nd request:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button


UPLOAD, as an attachment, the startup.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD, as an attachment, the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

 

[gregrocker]

Run Disk Check on the external HD. Let us know the results.

HP's suffer with the heaviest load of preinstalled crapware in the industry. At the minimum I would Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

However most tech enthusiasts study up and eventually Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which is a vastly superior install of Win7.

When ready we are here to help you every step of the way.

 

[kenzolc]

thanks karl and greg! i have been busy working so cannot complete the tasks you have requested just yet. i turned on the pc this morning at 8am and still not booted now at 11:30... if it doesn't boot soon i will not be able to investigate. might not be able to until monday as i am away from tomorrow. please stick with me though!

cheers,
ken

 

[karlsnooks]

Enjoy the long weekend.

karl