Solved Will Not Load My User Profile

[newenglandmom2]

Hello again! things seem to be going well...I tried following the steps to create a system image on my computer from the second option listed in Post #37 above, but there's no drive listed on the hard disk when I get to Create a System Image via Control Panel...the only option is a DVD...I will need to buy an empty one. However, that's what I tried to do when the computer was new, and that didn't work...I just kept getting messages that the backup had failed. I looked at Macrium too, but it seems pretty complicated for me. I did copy all the personal files that I want to a flash drive, and I uploaded the photos and videos to the cloud. So it's really a recovery DVD that I'm trying to make now?

 

[Ranger4]

I really can't stress to you the importance of having a reliable back up program. For example, with the recent power outage problem you have had, could have been rectified in probably half an hour if you had a recent Operating System image.

The main essential item in any back up program is, "THAT IT WORKS". The built in Windows back up & imaging program is not really considered reliable & strange problems seem to occur from time to time that prevent it being fully trustworthy.

Most of the people on the Forum, including myself use Macrium Reflect. I do a weekly image of my Windows Operating System to an external portable USB 3 hard drive, which is a fairly quick process. On the 2 occasions that I have needed to use it to reinstall the OS image took about 15 minutes.

I would suggest that you invest in an external hard drive, either a caddy type or a portable one. The one I use is a Hitachi Touro USB 3, portable 1 Terrabyte drive, which I have found reliable. DVD's & flash drives are not recommended for reliable image back ups. If the back up does not work when you desperately need it then it's almost worse than not having one. Backing up to Cloud storage areas are OK, but how easy will it be to access it when you need it?.

Macrium may seem complicated to you, but it really is very easy to use, so I would suggest that you download the free version & give it a go.

 

[newenglandmom2]

Ok, you have convinced me about backup. I know it's vital and would have done it previously, but I never had any luck. But I certainly don't want to go through this kind of ordeal again! A couple of questions...do I need the external drive before I download Macrium? And would an external drive such as yours work for backing up the new computer I plan to buy in a year or two?

 

[Anak]

A couple of questions...

do I need the external drive before I download Macrium?
No, you could practice with the CD/DVD's before you had the opportunity to purchase the Drive.

And would an external drive such as yours work for backing up the new computer I plan to buy in a year or two?
It should as long as the Drive's file format matches the new computer, usually with Windows it's NTFS.

 

[Ranger4]

As Anak says you could practice with alternatives.

In reality we have to use hardware that is available today for things that we wish to do today. Whether they will work in the future is a question that no one can answer. The chances are that they will, but we have to prepare for things to change if it occurs.

Worrying about whether that external back up hard drive will work in the future, does not get back ups done in the meantime, which is the important part. External hard drives are not a major expense. If you have a local reliable computer shop go in & have a chat with them & find out the cost of one.

 

[Anak]

Alternatives.....

Here's one for you,
I have two (almost extinct) machines, one's an XP box, and the other is a Vista, meaning that, that is the operating system (OS) that is installed on each one respectively, and they are networked to this one, my win7 machine. Both have enough room (hard drive space) to accept the numerous images that I would want to place on them, and according to driver scans they're both healthy. That is what I use.

I also have CD's, DVD's and USB flash drives because like Ranger4 says:

If the back up does not work when you desperately need it then it's almost worse than not having one.

Let me paraphrase that; It's not almost, it is worse than not having one.

So counting the two extinct machines, the platters, and flash drives I have more than five different ways to recover my machine, and Ranger4 is correct, A hard disk drive (HDD) is the way to go because I don't know for sure if the others are okay, unless I run them, heck, I've even heard of users giving images of their HDD no matter what medium to their family and friends to keep for safekeeping in case the user had a weather catastrophe or a fire.

Diana, it would be nice if you get a new external drive, but if you don't have the wherewith-all to go the "new route" you need to look for alternatives; I do not mean to denigrate Ranger4's position, but one should always have... alternatives....

 

[newenglandmom2]

Sorry, I have had to attend to other affairs. Plan to try the DVD backup tonight, then go buy an external drive. I don't want all your assistance to have been in vain! Will keep you posted.

 

[Anak]

Ahh...Real-Life. Not a problem and thanks for letting us know, post back when you get a chance.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
John Lennon, from "Beautiful Boy" English singer & songwriter (1940 - 1980)

 

[Ranger4]

Diana, I have just noticed that you have 2 anti virus programs listed in your System Specs. You show Microsoft Security Essentials & McAfee. Having 2 AV programs often cause problems as they clash with one another & unexplained things seem to happen.

I would keep MSE & uninstall McAfee. Uninstalling AV programs can be difficult, so it needs to be done properly. To uninstall McAfee, have a look at this website & follow the directions.

https://service.mcafee.com/webcente...&showHeader=false&_adf.ctrl-state=ul5fi2plg_4

 

[newenglandmom2]

Hello all...Well, here's the latest! I downloaded and installed Macrium, followed the prompts, and copied a system image to a DVD. It was surprisingly easy, so I hope it worked! There are 9 files on it, including one that says Boot. I will put it in a safe place! I had already copied all my must-keep files to a flash drive. So at least I have some back-up now...I think. Still need to buy that external drive...

Ranger 4, I un-installed McAfee early on in this process because I'd read that it could cause problems like mine. So maybe those system specs you were reading are no longer current?

Is it safe to delete the original user profile (Diana) from the C drive? Remember, I copied everything on it to Diana2, and it was 60GB. Seems like maybe I don't need 2 user profiles using that much space...

And I almost ready to shut down and restart for the first time in a long time...

Thanks, friends!
Diana

 

[Ranger4]

Thanks for getting back & clearing up the duplicate AV issue. The System Specs I was referring to are the ones showing in your "My System Specs" at the lower LH edge of your thread replies, so you may need to update those.

Glad to hear you are finding Macrium easy to use & as time goes by you will become more proficient & confident with using & trusting it

If your current Diana2 User profile is working the way it should & you are happy with it, you should be able to delete the old Diana one. However, it might be safer to leave it until you get your external hard drive & have the system image back up process fully under control & you feel confident that it will work if needed. Then you could delete it after making a fresh image, so if anything goes wrong you can reload the image.

 

[newenglandmom2]

OK, I will wait on deleting the old User Profile until I get an external drive, and I updated my AV specs.

One thing I'm not sure about...now that I have the system image on a DVD that I created with Macrium, do I still need an external drive? As I keep making those images, couldn't I write over the one I just did on the DVD? Also, it used very little space on the DVD...if I could figure it out, maybe I could keep adding to that DVD?

 

[Ranger4]

Thanks for updating your System Specs.

I don't know how big your Windows 7 Operating System is but it should definitely be bigger than what can fit on one DVD. My Windows OS is just over 41gb & I always image the whole hard drive, as I don't have it partitioned & it is a 250gb SSD. To image 41gb using Macrium to an external USB 3 hard dive takes just over 5 minutes.

From what you have described it seems that you may only be imaging part of your OS drive. Could you post a screen shot of Disc Management please, so we can see how your OS disc is set up.

This tutorial explains how to do that. At the end of the tutorial there is a link to show you how to upload the screen shot.

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

 

[newenglandmom2]

OK, I posted a screenshot of my Disk Management and also one of the Rescue DVD I made. I should have known it couldn't be that easy!

 

[Ranger4]

Don't despair. Once you get familiar with Macrium & doing regular images, you will see how easy it it is.

This Macrium website might help you with learning to use it. The items listed are like chapters so you can click on them & read through to help you understand the process.

Backup, imaging and cloning - KnowledgeBase - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase

Looking at your Disc Management screen shot, you should image the whole of the Hard Drive, not parts of it. The reason for that is, if you suffer a major OS disaster or a Hard Drive failure, you will still have your Dell factory Windows 7 recovery software.

 

[Anak]

Ranger4, correct me if I'm wrong, but in comparing NEM2's screenshots it looks like she only created a rescue environment?

By the way; Nice link, saved.

 

[Ranger4]

Yes Anak, I think you are correct, in that she only created the rescue disc, which is a start & a very important part. Once she gets a full system image, she will be able to use the rescue disc to verify the image, which will be a test to see if everything is working properly.

I was lucky to find that Macrium website, which hopefully covers Macrium v6. I have the paid for version of Macrium v5, but I was not sure if v6 has exactly the same layout & I did not want to add any confusion at this stage.

 

[Anak]

I just noticed something from NEM2's second screenshot, but I wonder; Did NEM2 save it with that name or did Macrium do it automatically?




And I believe your okay with that being v6. This snip is from your link:

 

[Ranger4]

Well observed Anak. I had a look at my Macrium rescue disc & yes Macrium does name it automatically as mine is named Rescue as well & I did not name it. So that's something well worth keeping in mind.

It also confirms your suspicion that NEM only created the rescue disc.

 

[newenglandmom2]

Hello everyone...just wanted to let you know that I finally did it...I backed up my computer on an external hard drive! It wasn't easy...I kept getting messages that the backup had failed, with both Macrium and the Windows System backup. I had to run a chkdsk command, which took many hours, but must have worked. I was able to create a System Image with Macrium. So if you think it's OK, I will mark this thread as solved....and say thank you very much once again!
Diana