netbook froze while creating recovery files on SD card

[jawzforlife]

I made it through the "copy file"s part, then in "verify files" it froze at 89% for about the last half hour.

What should I do.

It says I can only make these files once. If this doesn't finish, will it let me retry?

 

[jawzforlife]

i rebooted, and restarted the process we will see how far we get this time.

 

[gregrocker]

If your setup literature or manual says it supports SD card and it fails leaving you without another chance to retry, then contact Tech Support who should send you a free set of Recovery CD's.

A more useful Recovery method is built-in Win7 backup Imaging, creating an image just after you have it set up and running perfectly: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Here are some tips for cleaning up the factory bloatware which is larded on many new computers: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...p-all-four-primary-partitions.html#post952573

 

[jawzforlife]

made it through "copy files" again, and working through "verify files" will see if it finishes

 

[whs]

How big is your SD card, I think you are talking about appr. 8GBs of data. I did not even know you could burn the recovery partition to a SD card. And can the Netbook boot from the SD card the day you need it for a reinstall?

I think you would be much better off with imaging as Greg suggested. Here is an easy one http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I - but you need an external disk.

 

[jawzforlife]

second time worked the way it should, I successfully created a recovery file.

I was using a 16gb SD card, it needed to hold 13.6gb of data.

 

[whs]

But can the netbook boot from the SD card? Else the files are useless.

 

[jawzforlife]

hmm, i guess i dont know. It let me save to a SD card so I assumed it would recover from a SD card.

How can I test that theory???

 

[gregrocker]

Boot it and see if it cues up the options correctly. Consult your Manual on the Support downloads webpage for your netbook model.

Did it refer to SD card at anytime during the process of making this backup? One would assume that if it will write successfully to SD card, then it can be used but it should say for sure during backup process or in manual or setup literature pertaining to this.

 

[whs]

I would have a look in the boot sequence of the BIOS. If the SD card reader is listed (keep the card in the reader when you look), then it should work.

 

[jawzforlife]

When I created the files it I could choose to burn to DVD or USB/SD card. I dont have a disc drive on the netbook but I clicked on DVD to see if I could use the DVD drive in my desktop through the network but that didn't work. So I used the USB/SD option, it found the card, I clicked on it and press ok and it did it's thing.

I went into the bios to try to change the bootable device and the SD slot was not listed.

 

[gregrocker]

If it offered you to use the SD card then you're good.

An SD card like a USB flash stick may not appear in BIOS setup boot order menu unless it is plugged in, or it may appear under HD or USB heading.

If not, check the one-time BIOS Boot Menu.

 

[whs]

I went into the bios to try to change the bootable device and the SD slot was not listed.

That does not sound so good. The day you want to a reinstall with your nice SD card, you will be stuck - I think. If I were you, I would choose imaging as the better alternative. The link I posted above on Macrium is no good though. I forgot that you have no CD drive which you would need for the recovery program.

However, there is Free Paragon ( Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Advanced Edition - Overview ). There you can burn an USB stick for the recovery program (a small 2 GB stick will suffice). But in all cases you should have an external disk for the images.

PS: first check what Greg suggested. He is an expert in those questions.

 

[gregrocker]

You can also use built-in Win7 backup imaging, writing the Repair CD to flash stick using Win2Flash: YouTube - How to install Windows 7 from USB (WinToFlash)

You really need the Repair stick anyway in case Win7 fails to boot, you need to reimage from saved Backup Image, Startup Repair, System Restore, Command line, etc.

 

[jawzforlife]

If I create an image can I use that to reinstall windows if I ever need to replace the hard drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes. It reimages the HD or its replacement to exactly how it is when the image is taken.

Read the tutorials: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

Some like to use free Macrium Reflect or Paragon Backup 10 as they allow more flexibility in what you save in the image and where you can reimage it. They require a boot disk to be burned, instead of using the Win7 DVD or Repair CD.

 

[jawzforlife]

Yes. It reimages the HD or its replacement to exactly how it is when the image is taken.

Read the tutorials: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

Some like to use free Macrium Reflect or Paragon Backup 10 as they allow more flexibility in what you save in the image and where you can reimage it. They require a boot disk to be burned, instead of using the Win7 DVD or Repair CD.

Is there any way to do this without burning or using a disc since my netbook does not have a disc drive and I do not have an external disc drive.

I do have an external hard drive though.

 

[whs]

-- Not possible for Macrium
-- I believe it is possible with Windows7 imaging
-- Definitely possible with free Paragon

 

[gregrocker]

You really need a Win7 Repair Disk in case it ever doesn't boot, so I would download a Win7 Repair Disk ISO and write it to a small flash stick using Win2Flash which seems to work the best for that: YouTube - How to install Windows 7 from USB (WinToFlash)

Then you have a method as well to reimage from a Win7 backup image saved externally:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

As Wolfgang has explained, many experts here prefer free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 10 Backup to Win7's new built-in drive imaging, mainly because it doesn't offer as many options for what you can backup and where you can reimage it. He says that Paragon will let you write the boot disk to a flash stick. Paragon is a good program so that is certainly worth considering.

You have several good options here. I only suggest starting with Win7 Repair CD written to flash stick so you have it on hand in case you need repair.