How to connect my external harddrive to be used with System Repair dis

[chobo2]

Hi

I made a few months back a backup of my machine(windows 7 64bit edition). The size was like 25gb's so I saved it on my external hard-drive(I bought a case and put a hard drive(Seagate I think) in it).

I know want to use this to restore my computer. So I made a system repair disk and loaded it up.

However it cannot find my external hard-drive. I have "WindowsImageBackup " in my root directory of my external drive.

Yet it still does not see it. I would install some drivers but I have no clue what drives I need as when I plug it into my computer and I am in windows 7 it finds my drive.

What do I need to make window 7 recognize my image?

 

[mjf]

First determine that the image vhd exists and can be mounted.

Go into Disk Management then
Action > Attach VHD > Browse to folder WindowsImageBackup
Double clicking into folder then into the folder "Backup ---------"
Select the largest .vhd if more than one
Select and choose ok to mount.

Your image should appear as a mounted version of your imaged disk. Ckeck that it looks like the imaged disk.

To detach - Right click on left "Disk n" block.

 

[chobo2]

First determine that the image vhd exists and can be mounted.

Go into Disk Management then
Action > Attach VHD > Browse to folder WindowsImageBackup
Double clicking into folder then into the folder "Backup ---------"
Select the largest .vhd if more than one
Select and choose ok to mount.

Your image should appear as a mounted version of your imaged disk. Ckeck that it looks like the imaged disk.

To detach - Right click on left "Disk n" block.

I can attach and detach my backup that is on my external drive. The size seems to be the same and the status of is a "Primary Partition"

 

[mjf]

The WindowsImageBackup folder structure and contents needs to be untouched.
If I had one major criticism of Windows Imaging it would be the experience of others (not mine) with image auto locate.
In addition to Windows imaging I also use Macrium Reflect just in case.

To your specific problem you can try:
1) Boot again using your system repair CD.
2) From the image restore option search again and try refresh.
3) While still in the System repair OS, power down your ext HDD then power up and go through step 2) again.
If no go...
4) rename old image folder to WindowsImageBackupxxx
5) Reimage and try again. Also try another external HDD.

 

[chobo2]

The WindowsImageBackup folder structure and contents needs to be untouched.
If I had one major criticism of Windows Imaging it would be the experience of others (not mine) with image auto locate.
In addition to Windows imaging I also use Macrium Reflect just in case.

To your specific problem you can try:
1) Boot again using your system repair CD.
2) From the image restore option search again and try refresh.
3) While still in the System repair OS, power down your ext HDD then power up and go through step 2) again.
If no go...
4) rename old image folder to WindowsImageBackupxxx
5) Reimage and try again. Also try another external HDD.

Ya I hit the search button many times it did nothing. I tried shutting off my external drive and then back on but same thing.

I am not going to make another backup image I am going to use a different program. I mean that is sad I cannot navigate myself to where it is.

I still would like it to try to get it to work as it is pretty much a fresh copy of my stuff(with all applications that I need installed)

 

[mjf]

I recommend Macrium Reflect (free) to try. It is well regarded by forum members.
Make sure the Macrium linux Boot recover disk works and finds your image.
Link to Macrium in free programs section. Tutorial available here as well.

Your decision but I'd still try Windows imaging again.
If you have problems with both then you may have other issues to deal with.

 

[donut1953]

I find making backups very important.. I partitioned my c drive to use windows imaging on my main drive.. Works very nicely and have restored from it many times.. I do not use a schedule backup but manually backup when needed.. I usually backup 1 to 2 times a week..

I also have two externals that I regularly backup to twice a month.. I use both macrium and paragon.. I have tested restore using recovery discs on both and both programs work great from the external disks..

It may seem like overkill but I would rather be safe than sorry..