Image Restore can't find Backup Image

[Gryphyn]

I need a little help figuring this out. I made a backup image a while back on my network. Now that I want to re-image, I reboot as requested, wait for it to load, and Windows says it can't find my backup, "if it is on a network, close this window , type the network location."

Putting in the network location does nothing, I'm just returned to the screen where it would list the backup image if it had found it, but there's nothing there.

Thinking perhaps my NAS was the problem I copied the image onto a portable hard drive, but after rebooting into the restore program, Windows 7 doesn't find the USB drive.

I know the image was good, because I got an "image successful" message when I made it. Any ideas?

 

[DJG]

You say Windows can't find the USB drive, or is it the image file within the drive that it can't find?

 

[Gryphyn]

It doesn't find the file. As far as I can tell it is able to find both the network drive and the USB drive.

 

[DJG]

What is the name of the file - have you changed the name at all, or the extension? I believe it looks for a particular file extension. I'm assuming you created the image using the Win 7 backup utility from the Control Panel.

 

[Gryphyn]

Nope, I didn't touch it, and yes, I used Windows Backup to make the image. I don't know the name of the file off the top of my head, but it is on a directory called ZoomZoomier, which is the name of my computer, inside of which are a number of files and a couple of directories. One of the directories is called WindowsImageBackup, and it has like 10 files in there. I have tried pointing the restore program at the ZoomZoomier folder, the Windows Image Backup folder, and even one of the files inside the folder itself, and I get nothing. I don't get it.

 

[DJG]

Can you post an image of the WindowsImageBackup folder listing details?

 

[Snufffed]

Might I also assume that you used Windows Backup to make your backup image?
You never really stated. Might I also assume that you placed the backupimage on your network.

I made a backup image a while back on my network

. Might I also assume that you used Win7 to make the backupimage.?

 

[DJG]

... I'm assuming you created the image using the Win 7 backup utility from the Control Panel.

Nope, I didn't touch it, and yes, I used Windows Backup to make the image. ...

Might I also assume that you used Windows Backup to make your backup image?
You never really stated. Might I also assume that you placed the backupimage on your network. . Might I also assume that you used Win7 to make the backupimage.?

I believe he answered yes.

 

[Gryphyn]

Yes, you could assume those things.

I fiddled with it some more last night and was still unable to get it to find my files, so I decided to just go ahead and reinstall. Once I had everything back up I went ahead and had it make another system image, this time on an internal hard drive. I'll see if it worked this time when I get home tonight.

On a side note, I found the "take ownership registry shortcut" posted in these forums very helpful when dealing with my user files (which I keep on my d:\ Partition).

 

[WilliamWest]

Windows 7 Repair Disk & Image Backup

I have NEVER had any success restoring a system with Microsoft Backup. This has been going on for years and across all computer platforms and builds.

Microsoft Backup can NEVER (at least for me...and why should I be singled out?) find the image or backup it had previously created. Not even with the "System Repair Disc", which I end up using as coasters, the original Windows Installation discs, or the Restore Utility within Windows 7 and Microsoft Backup.

I have always been reassured that my backups, including images, have been completed successfully via Microsoft Backup dialog boxes. I am then sucker-punched off of the face of the earth when I try to use the files Microsoft Backup has saved. According to any restore method offered by Microsoft..."The files are just not there and Microsoft Backup covers its eyes and refuses to see the image files that lie right underneath its own nose.

ShadowProtect Desktop works great every time but if you do Windows reinstalls because there is just no other way to get everything working again, the ShadowProtect team balks at reactivation requests by hard working consumers.

I am so very tired of all of the paranoia these companies have for copyright infringement protection that I am seriously contemplating using another operating and computer system altogether. As I really dislike that I have to speak negatively regarding anything, I am forced to do so because I waste way too much time trying to accomodate all of these immature insecurities these companies have, again, sorry to say.

 

[mjf]

For me Windows imaging has worked flawlessly for multiple imaging and restores to existing and new HDDs on two completely different PCs. That is not to say that some people have issues.

If you copy an image folder across HDDs or partition boundaries then this involves a physical copy of data and not just a directory change. I would not recommend this as you need to transfer GBs of data. More importantly if you have made multiple images with the "Backup and Restore" to the same WindowsImageBackup folder you are relying on shadow storage disk space to store difference imaging.

So I recommend you only use the "Create a System Image" button and only work with single images. Do not include Winsows imaging as part of your backup configuration. Delete them, rename them, move them within partition boundaries is fine as long as the image you wish to reimage is renamed and moved to the root of a partition as "WindowsImageBackup".

You can also use very reliable (free and paid versions) products like Macrium Reflect.

 

[damarques]

I have the same issue as Gryphyn.

I've been merrily backing up my laptop (win 7 pro) over the network using Windows Backup. I included a System Image with the regular backup.

The other day Windows starting hanging, and I ended up having to do a factory reset (it's a Lenovo, so that was available in the recovery environment)

So now I am trying to restore my latest system image but it is not so easy!
I figured out how to install my ethernet driver while in Recovery mode so that it could browse the network location but it either gives me the 'enumerating backup' error, or just silently fails. I've tried putting everything in the root of my backup drive, and sharing the root. Didn't work.

So then I tried copying everything from the network backup directory to an external USB drive. I can browse this while in recovery mode, but the Re-imaging program will not see it.

The structure of the external drive is:

G:\
-> \WindowsImageBackup
----> \LAPTOP
-> \LAPTOP
-> MediaId.bin

From what i've read on this forum, that structure is valid, and Windows should see it.

Can anyone shed any more light on this?
Any help greatly appreciated!!
I'd like to avoid reinstalling everything

Thanks

 

[mjf]

Many people here aren't a great fan of Windows inbuilt imaging. However, I use it all the time with total success so far - lucky me.

My suggestion: The Windows 7 OS is not bad and I wouldn't ditch it over this. I use free Macrium Reflect as well. It has great support on this forum. Give it a go if you haven't tried it already.
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Note: you will need to do a one time download of the Windows WAIK tools (1.7GB) to make the recovery pe Rescue DVD. Macrium holds your hand through the process.