Solved Restore image after replacing HD

[OlderBloke]

Have you run the HD maker's full diagnostic/repair CD scan? Sometimes a failing HD can be repaired well enough to return to service and live a normal life. Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

Also run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Yes. The Seagate utility. There's no repair option and it fails on all tests. It's twin doesn't. I did this before the first post.

 

[karlsnooks]

Yes, very good. Done it. Doesn't work for the reasons I took the time to write up carefully. Try reading it before posting something pointless mr wannabe guru.

Been a frustrating day hasn't it?

Actually, Greg is one of the true gurus on this forum. He may have jumped in late, but I sure have learned much from him.

 

[OlderBloke]

Acronis image restore completes but the machine won't reboot either.
Anyone got a clue why the OS restore can't see my drive, please?
This is two entire days wasted now - as usual it would have been almost quicker to rebuild the entire os and applications from scratch. it seems NOTHING has advanced in this area in the last ten years. Appalling.
EDIT
But why does he post something that indicates he hasn't read what I've written.?

 

[iseeuu]

Currently reformatting this drive using dos command again on another box.

Roy;
If you have access to a working computer, I would suggest you connect your good 1.5TB drive to that computer temporarily, also connect your external hard drive to that computer and move or copy your image from the external drive to the internal one. Then put the 1.5TB drive back in the original computer with your new 2TB drive which would give you easy access to the image and allow you to restore it to the 2TB drive.

Why has this stuff got to be so hard?
Roy

It really is not so hard, mostly just takes some foresight and planning. For example, I have two internal hard drives in my computer like you do. I have my Windows 7 installed on a 60GB drive which is ample room but keeps me from cluttering the partition with other files and junk. My second hard drive is 160GB. A small partition holds the clutter of utilities and misc files and programs. The rest of the drive holds the Windows Image and Backup which runs weekly. I did this before a hard drive crash so when needed (did have a drive die on me) I just replaced the hard drive and used my 7 install DVD (could also have used a 7 Restore CD) and restored the current image to the new hard drive. Easy.

What is hard is calling an Insurance Agent and stating "My house just burned down and I want to buy insurance for it."

By the way, I am a pensioner and I couldn't afford one TB hard drive, much less two or three, so please be easier on me than you were on Gregrocker who was only trying to help?

Cheers
Robert

 

[OlderBloke]

Currently reformatting this drive using dos command again on another box.

Roy;
If you have access to a working computer, I would suggest you connect your good 1.5TB drive to that computer temporarily, also connect your external hard drive to that computer and move or copy your image from the external drive to the internal one. Then put the 1.5TB drive back in the original computer with your new 2TB drive which would give you easy access to the image and allow you to restore it to the 2TB drive.

Why has this stuff got to be so hard?
Roy

It really is not so hard, mostly just takes some foresight and planning. For example, I have two internal hard drives in my computer like you do. I have my Windows 7 installed on a 60GB drive which is ample room but keeps me from cluttering the partition with other files and junk. My second hard drive is 160GB. A small partition holds the clutter of utilities and misc files and programs. The rest of the drive holds the Windows Image and Backup which runs weekly. I did this before a hard drive crash so when needed (did have a drive die on me) I just replaced the hard drive and used my 7 install DVD (could also have used a 7 Restore CD) and restored the current image to the new hard drive. Easy.

What is hard is calling an Insurance Agent and stating "My house just burned down and I want to buy insurance for it."

By the way, I am a pensioner and I couldn't afford one TB hard drive, much less two or three, so please be easier on me than you were on Gregrocker who was only trying to help?

Cheers
Robert

Thanks Robert
Right now the d*mned thing is actually restoring from the same image it refused earlier. The only change (if anyone cares) is that that drive was previously populated from the (non-booting) image derived from Acronis. Go, as they say, figure. Whether it will boot on completion is anyone's guess; I'd guess not on present form.
Regarding my uncharitable response to a previous poster I'd say that reposting someone else's post (which I have read, printed out, followed) is hardly a constructive contribution. The poster shows no evidence of having bothered to read my description of the process I had followed and its results. As such I'd describe it as pointless and actually quite insulting. As for the "wannabe..." that's his attribution, not mine. I'm usually willing to apologise when at fault, but in this case I don't feel at fault at all.
I remain convinced, as I have for years, that in the end these attempts to restore whole o/s application bundles takes longer than a clean rebuild. This attempt is getting close already.
A useful contribution would be for someone who has a clue to suggest why the blank formatted drive had previously remained invisible until the failed acronis install.
I'll post the results of this attempt but having become persona non grata I'll refrain from asking for any further assistance if no one wishes to offer it.
Roy

 

[iseeuu]

Roy;

You are not "personna non grata" ... yet. However you make a good point ... we are all unpaid volunteers ... offering assistance because we wish to. It seems rather harsh to expect perfection from such volunteers ... who are extending you a kindness.

A simple "Thank you ... already tried" would have been sufficient. Sorry you felt offended ... but being offensive in return, when no offense was intended is counter productive. There are some 150 Gurus on this forum, all with different personalities, abilities, and experience. The only way we coexist is by not tolerating personal attacks. Disagree we sometimes do ... but without being disagreeable. Being polite will get you much further here.

As far as your hard drive visibility, as we are not sitting in front of your computer, so we are totally reliant on you and you observations and descriptions for our diagnosis. There are so many variables ... the motherboard and bios, the bios revision, the hard drive brand, whether it has been initialized or not. Some have reported that connecting a SATA drive to a different SATA port on the motherboard restores visibility. At this point we can only guess ...

Please post the results of your current situation and if more assistance is needed?

Cheers
Robert

 

[OlderBloke]

Hi again
well, first to the point. The restoration from the original OS image backup has worked although not to the drive I'd intended but the orginally supplied drive used for data (ie 1.5TB Seagate - & why is this identified as an IDE device in the BIOS boot settings btw?). Interestingly the Samsung drive I installed is not being identified on the bus. So, as the last poster implied, the problem could be connected with the bus itself. I will shortly remove this drive and swap it - and possibly even try reconnecting it via another port on the sata bus for the potential benefit of other sufferers... I'd prefer the boot drive to be a Samsung; pure paranoia I suppose but I've had no problems with them previously.
Regarding forum sensitivities I certainly understand. The clinical nature of these exchanges can mask both good and ill intent.
I will report further in due course.
Roy

 

[iseeuu]

Swapping the SATA ports has to do with how drives are recognized by the bios. It is possible to then swap the SATA port back to the original in order to have the drives arranged the way you want them.

Some older motherboard / bios allowed for newer sata drives to be connected and used as EDIE drives for compatibility. You should check with ASUS to see what options are available with your motherboard, and whether there is a newer bios revision with additional options available?

Cheers
Robert

 

[karlsnooks]

OldBloke,

For that 2 TB disk, I very strongly recommend partitioning it into at least two partitions. Why? you ask. Because some 2TB and Win 7 do not like each other.

To partition the disk, probably the easiest approach will be to use Partition Wizard. This isn't the fastest horse in the stall, but he will always get you there.

Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software – Partition Wizard Online

 

[periboob]

Old Bloke,
Although I'm retired, I've no heart condition.

There are several clone alternatives.

With your new drive, did you perhaps receive a cd? If yes, there is probably clone software there. If not go to the manufacturer's website and see if he has a software for cloning.

...
________________________________________
________________________________________
CLONE A DISK
Yes, you can use the Create & Restore steps listed above when you want to replace your hard disk with one of same or larger size.
________________________________________
...
EASEUS
EASEUS Disk Copy is a FREE reliable disaster recovery, hard disk copy, disk clone, partition copy, backup freeware. Support for all Hard Drive and removable drive.
EASEUS Disk Copy: Free Disk Copy, Disk Clone, Partition Copy Software. Sector by Sector for hard drive backup freeware.

Great detail Karl. If I may add a few personal notes.

I have used EASUS with some success. Also had excellent luck with the Western Digital version of Acronis, and the Maxblast for Seagate drives. As I recall they both are free, from the drive vendor websites, as long as the drive you are copying too-or-from are one of WD, Seagate, or Maxtor brands.

One of the confusing points with several folks I know is whether to make a Clone, or an Image. Personally I like to use a clone, because of the warm successful feeling I get from installing that new cloned hard drive and having it boot, without having to trust that the software will actually restore from the image if I need it. It has become sort of a habit, to buy a new machine with a minimal HD, get it somewhat set-up like I like, then cloning up to the drive I really want, with a working system that goes on the shelf until I need it.

 

[OlderBloke]

Oh dear, why do these dialogues frequently degenerate into slanging matches?

I won't bother responding to all the various misinterpretations and irrelevancies except to say that having to deal with vicious illnesses is something I am all too familiar with, having recently lost an aged parent who I was caring for, after six years, which cost me a career, a home and the majority of my life's savings. Add in heart attacks, major colon surgery etc... All of which had NOTHING to do with the "go easy". All I meant is don't assume I understand more than I do.

Phew. Extremely unpleasant experience that I really don't need.

Many thanks to those of you who offered useful advice, but I'll terminate my participation here permanently.

Roy

 

[pacinitaly]

Yes, very good. Done it. Doesn't work for the reasons I took the time to write up carefully. Try reading it before posting something pointless mr wannabe guru.

Yes, very good. Done it. Doesn't work for the reasons I took the time to write up carefully. Try reading it before posting something pointless mr wannabe guru.

Been a frustrating day hasn't it?

Actually, Greg is one of the true gurus on this forum. He may have jumped in late, but I sure have learned much from him.

Roy;

You are not "personna non grata" ... yet. However you make a good point ... we are all unpaid volunteers ... offering assistance because we wish to. It seems rather harsh to expect perfection from such volunteers ... who are extending you a kindness.

A simple "Thank you ... already tried" would have been sufficient. Sorry you felt offended ... but being offensive in return, when no offense was intended is counter productive. There are some 150 Gurus on this forum, all with different personalities, abilities, and experience. The only way we coexist is by not tolerating personal attacks. Disagree we sometimes do ... but without being disagreeable. Being polite will get you much further here.

As far as your hard drive visibility, as we are not sitting in front of your computer, so we are totally reliant on you and you observations and descriptions for our diagnosis. There are so many variables ... the motherboard and bios, the bios revision, the hard drive brand, whether it has been initialized or not. Some have reported that connecting a SATA drive to a different SATA port on the motherboard restores visibility. At this point we can only guess ...

Please post the results of your current situation and if more assistance is needed?

Cheers
Robert

Oh dear, why do these dialogues frequently degenerate into slanging matches?

I won't bother responding to all the various misinterpretations and irrelevancies except to say that having to deal with vicious illnesses is something I am all too familiar with, having recently lost an aged parent who I was caring for, after six years, which cost me a career, a home and the majority of my life's savings. Add in heart attacks, major colon surgery etc... All of which had NOTHING to do with the "go easy". All I meant is don't assume I understand more than I do.

Phew. Extremely unpleasant experience that I really don't need.

Many thanks to those of you who offered useful advice, but I'll terminate my participation here permanently.

Roy

hooray goodbye; don't let the power button zap you on the way out.

as stated, politeness goes a long way when asking for help you nasty %#@&
this wanna be guru only pointed out that the INFO supplied by karlsnook may have been helpful to others as well.
you write well but it's diminished buy your callous tone.
go to yahoo answers, see if they can help :roflmao:
and have a ball writting down to the people there too.

to everyone else, great job at attempting to help out.

 

[karlsnooks]

Older Bloke,

Hope you get that system up and running.

I regret that we were unable to provide the necessary assistance.

Any misunderstandings or oversights were unintentional.

I'm sure you will end up enjoying your new system.

 

[pacinitaly]

I wonder what happen to roy:huh: