System Image restore using WIN7 and DVD media

[brownbeardad]

I am planning to perform a system image restore using the system image contained on four DVD's. I have read Brink's excellent article "How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 7". After researching WIN7 Forums for this afternoon and into the evening, I have a question regarding the backup data files option when accessing system image recovery thru the control panel. This assumes that the win7 OS is functional. After many attempts using Mini Tool, Paragon and other software, I have not been able to repair the HDD so the OS will not boot. My only access to perform a system image restore is thru the repair console or repair disk. Does this mean I cannot use the backup option?

My goal is determine if any files lost from the HDD failure are contained in this system image without wiping the files I am attempting to recover. Is there another way to view or recover the files from a system image on DVD? I understand that since the vhd files are on four DVD's they cannot be viewed using WIN7 disk management. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[whs]

VHDs can be viewed with Disk Management provided you have a running system. In Disk Management under the Action button you can attach the VHD and then open it in Computer.

 

[SIW2]

It seems you don't have a running os.

You can d/l this and burn as an image to cd/dvd or extract to flash drive.

 

[brownbeardad]

I have tried to attached the vhd files for all four DVD's on my desktop. The DVD set is from a System Image made from my laptop. I get the same error message as shown in the screen print below. If I attach the System Image made on my Desktop and stored to its second HDD using Disk Management, I can view this vhd file. I know of two differences between the System Image that I can view and the DVD set; the DVD's are multiple media and the desktop is not AF. Is the sector size difference causing the DVD's to produce this error message?