How Reliable Is The System Image Restore Function?

[spin dr]

How Reliable Is The System Image Recovery Function?

I am having a BSOD event about once a day and so far can't find a fix for it. When I reboot the PC runs fine for a period of 10-15 hours before the BSOD reappears. I have a System Image on an external hard drive that was made 2 weeks before the BSOD problem surfaced. I'm thinking about using this System Image to restore my PC but I'm nervous about doing so.

Couple of questions:

1. How reliable is the System Image Recovery function?

2. Is a System Image Restore likely to fix my BSOD problem (provided it's not a hardware problem)?

3. How can I verify which data files are actually in my System Image backup before I proceed?

4. When doing a Control Panel System Image Recovery is it best to just click on the System Image Recovery tab and just follow the indicated steps?

5. I also have a System Repair disc, is it useful in my situation?

6. Is there anything I'm overlooking?

Thank you for any assistance!

 

[Britton30]

May I suggest you try this to fix the issue? http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

 

[spin dr]

May I suggest you try this to fix the issue? http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Thank you for the response and advice. I am a PC novice and find the BSOD posting instructions somewhat daunting. That is why I am trying to explore some easier possibilities while I try to figure out how to accomplish this forums BSOD posting instructions. I am also very interested in some answers to my questions here about using the System Image Recovery process in general.

Thanks again!

 

[Britton30]

Couple of questions:

1. How reliable is the System Image Recovery function?
A. It will work OK, but other imaging software is better, i.e. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html#post648001 for the next time.
2. Is a System Image Restore likely to fix my BSOD problem (provided it's not a hardware problem)?
A. Can't be predicted, only trying it will you know.
3. How can I verify which data files are actually in my System Image backup before I proceed?
A. As far as I know Windows Image can't be explored.
4. When doing a Control Panel System Image Recovery is it best to just click on the System Image Recovery tab and just follow the indicated steps?
A. Yes.

5. I also have a System Repair disc, is it useful in my situation?
A. No, that is to boot to Advanced Recovery Options when w7 won't boot on its own.

6. Is there anything I'm overlooking?
A. Check below.
Thank you for any assistance!

Some hardware tests to run. It may be helpful to rule out some things.

Graphics card test:
Video Card Stress Test with Furmark ​

Hard drive(s)test(s):

Pick one for your HDD brand or use Seatools.
7 Free Hard Drive Testing Software Tools​

RAM (memory) test:

This will require memtest on a bootable CD or USB stick.
RAM - Test with Memtest86+

Try uninstalling Spybot S&D, it can cause BSODs.​

 

[DavidE]

3. How can I verify which data files are actually in my System Image backup before I proceed?
A. As far as I know Windows Image can't be explored.

It's my understanding a MS System Image can be mounted as a VHD and explored based on this tutorial by Shawn (Brink):
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24771-system-image-extract-files-using-disk-management.html

I don't use the built in MS Win 7 imaging utility, so I can't test this...

 

[Britton30]

Thanks David, I think I knew that.