Solved Suspect System Images - Possible warning

[mjf]

Today I tried to perform a Macrium system image restore (image date 28 March 2015). It got through to completion but reported an error when it was time to boot. I didn't note the specific error. This has never happened before.

I then tried a system image restore of a Windows system image (image date 22 March 2015) stored on a different ext HDD. It got through to "completion" but reported a restore error (some file missing). This has never happened before.

I then tried another Windows system image restore (image date 4 March 2015). This succeeded.

What's different? MS issued bunch of update on 10 March 2015. So it may be that these updates have impacted the reliability of system images (Macrium and Windows) after this date. So it would be interesting to know if anyone has installed these updates and successfully restored an image made after they were installed.
The only other difference I can think of is Malwarebytes and Norton Definition file updates.

If this is a general issue your recent system images may be useless.

 

[RolandJS]

Macrium is one of the best according to many! I [along with some others] use Acronis True Image. When you're making the backup images, did you boot a Macrium-created boot disk, and let 'er do the backup? Or, are these backups on the fly, in the background being made?

 

[mjf]

Macrium is one of the best according to many! I [along with some others] use Acronis True Image. When you're making the backup images, did you boot a Macrium-created boot disk, and let 'er do the backup? Or, are these backups on the fly, in the background being made?

I always make Macrium images using the installed Macrium not from the Rescue disk. With Windows you must use the installed program. I have made 100+ system images and lost count of the number of restores to existing and new HDDs/SSDs (~50 I'd say). It has become a very routine operation for me. I've been using Windows and Macrium imaging for years.
This recent bad experience is totally new and I am warning others. Your images using Windows or Macrium will work and your Macrium verify will work but they may be useless when it comes to a system image restore.

 

[mjf]

Update

I made another new Macrium (5.3.7299) Image from a system image restore made prior to the 22 important MS updates of 10 March 2015. This new image restored without problem.
I installed the updates and the system image restore failed (broken pipe).
Conclusion:
System images made after the 10 March updates are unreliable. I don't know which of the updates are the culprit but problems from updates is becoming all too common and this is a big one.

 

[Golden]

Thats really worrying. My latest Macrium image is from 4 April, so I dare not attempt a restore from this image. The Macrium forums don't mention this issue...yet.

 

[Boozad]

Very concerning. My last image was taken 27th March so I'll put a note on it to use that one as my next backup if needed. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

[carwiz]

You might try and run a check disk (dskchk) on the backup drive. An old Macrium Support Thread suggests the problem may be a disk read error.

 

[DavidE]

On my triple boot test box i tested restoring a Win7 32 Bit image created on 3/18/2015.
The only updates not installed in this image are KB3035583 and KB2876229 (Skype Desktop).
I did NOT restore the MBR in my tests.

Test #1
Restore the Win 7 32 Bit image while running Macrium free build 7299 in Win 7 64 Bit.
Restore was successful.

Test #2
Restore the Win 7 32 Bit image while running the bootable CD Rescue disc.
Restore was successful.
The Rescue CD is Win PE 64 Bit, version 5.2, build 6544, created 2014-05-09.

Test #3
Create a new Rescue CD from Macrium free build 7299 while running Win 7 64 Bit.
Restore the Win 7 32 Bit image while running the bootable CD Rescue disc.
Restore was successful.
The Rescue CD is Win PE 64 Bit, version 5, build 7299, created 2015-04-7.

 

[Victor S]

I always make Macrium images using the installed Macrium not from the Rescue disk. With Windows you must use the installed program.

The Rescue disk should be all that's needed. As I recall I uninstalled Macrium after creating the Rescue disk when I tested it. I've been using Ghost 15 for years without it installed on my PC.

 

[RolandJS]

You might try and run a check disk (dskchk) on the backup drive. An old Macrium Support Thread suggests the problem may be a disk read error.

A media read error took down one of two ext usb HDs; well, I had to run the FixIt on it. Carwiz's correct, backups and restores depend upon media being free from problems.

 

[mjf]

On my triple boot test box i tested restoring a Win7 32 Bit image created on 3/18/2015.

Are you saying your test environment is a 32 bit OS? I am using 64 bit.
I get the problem using 2 different external USB3 HDDs. My OS is on a Crucial SSD. I have run imaging at least 5 times to identify what in the updates is causing the problem. Some of the updates enclosed in red appear to cause my problem. I don't all of them are the problem.


As long as I leave the ones in red out I can image and reimage without problem using Macrium and Windows. The SMART data for all 3 drives doesn't indicate a problem and it's unlikely that 2 externals are faulty.
I'll need to keep working on the problem but it has me stumped at the moment.

 

[DavidE]

Yes, my tests were done restoring Win 7 32 bit, fully updated except KB3035583 and KB2876229.
I'm creating a new Win 7 64 bit image now, and i'll see if i can restore that.

It looks like you use IE9, I'm fully updated with IE11, and i have Net Framework 4.5.2 installed.
Just mentioning that, as it's a difference between yours and mine ...

 

[DavidE]

On my triple boot test box i tested restoring a Win7 32 Bit image created on 3/18/2015.

Are you saying your test environment is a 32 bit OS? I am using 64 bit.
I get the problem using 2 different external USB3 HDDs. My OS is on a Crucial SSD. I have run imaging at least 5 times to identify what in the updates is causing the problem. Some of the updates enclosed in red appear to cause my problem. I don't all of them are the problem.
View attachment 355409

As long as I leave the ones in red out I can image and reimage without problem using Macrium and Windows. The SMART data for all 3 drives doesn't indicate a problem and it's unlikely that 2 externals are faulty.
I'll need to keep working on the problem but it has me stumped at the moment.

I just created, verified, and restored a new Macrium free image of Win 7 64 bit.
I have all the updates installed that you highlighted in red.
No problems here.

I do see a new optional update KB2952664 is available, published Today (2015-04-07).

My test box is old hardware, Legacy Bios ...

I certainly believe you have an issue, but with the testing i have done, i am still confident in Macrium backups for my PC.

Something is different with our systems, if it's a wide spread problem, i expect other people will start reporting the problem ...

 

[mjf]

Thanks for checking David. As you say unless others start reporting issues the problem is at my end. I've had 3 years plus of many images and restores using both Windows inbuilt and Macrium without a problem. Maybe these recent security updates reveal some underlying hidden problem I have. With Macrium I can create, verify and mount the images without error but not restore now. The thought of a clean install with all the software I have installed

 

[DavidE]

Yea, i understand your pain
The only other thing i can think of is to install the "problem" updates in small groups or one at a time to see if you can find the culprit(s) causing the problem.
Yea, that's a pita and takes a lotta time ... testing for the cause of this problem that way.
But, maybe it's better than a clean install, ?????

If i can answer any other questions about my configuration, hardware or software, let me know.

In your SF system specs, it looks like you have 3 PC's according to what i see for Antivirus ...
Do you have this issue on all your PC's ?

 

[mjf]

I went back to an earlier image that would restore and downloaded/installed all updates except optional drivers (as I always do) and the .NET Framework. This time it worked. I made 2 Windows inbuilt images and 2 Macrium images on 2 different external drives. All 4 restored. Could it be something associated with my system? - maybe.

For me: Just because the system imaging completes successfully and updates complete "successfully" I won't have 100% confidence that that image can be restored. I will always have an image I have successfully restored and mark them as tested.

 

[DavidE]

Glad to hear you have most of the updates installed.
I always research driver updates before deciding if i want to install them.
If you do get this problem again where Windows won't start after restoring an image you could try a Startup Repair.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html