windows cant find system image when trying to full restore from ext HD

[freetvee]

Short version: I can see the system image files in windows explorer that I recently backed up on to my external hard drive. However, windows cant find the system image when trying to do a full restore from the same external HD?!?

Long version: I did a system image of my the old PC before starting the to do a sysprep process. Then I did the sysprep w/ generalize all is going well. I then tried to do another windows system image in sysprep mode. It seemed to be going well, until ironically i got worried about the new image replacing the old image so i went into windows explorer created a new folder and moved the old image. I then tried to system image and windows popped back with an error (sorry cant remember the specifics). I closed out of windows back up and tried reopening it numerous times. then it froze up as did windows explorer (they were all just blank boxes) so I had to do a restart. When I restart it was setting up windows again from new, which I got out of and into recovery mode since I just want to restore my full system as it was before (windows was already fully installed).

I have tried several different ways to boot into the recovery and restore the original system image (even after moving it back to its original location) and windows just cant find it. I can actually find that image on my external hard drive, its now even in the right spot (I moved it back to where I copied it from), but Windows just cant find it?!? Help please!!!

 

[SIW2]

You should be able to mount the vhd and make an image of the mounted drive using something else- e.g. Aomei Backupper free, Macrium free etc.

 

[freetvee]

You should be able to mount the vhd and make an image of the mounted drive using something else- e.g. Aomei Backupper free, Macrium free etc.

Dont want to sound like a knob, but what is VHD and how do I mount it? :huh:

 

[SIW2]

VHD is the format windows image backup uses. There is a .vhd file in the saved backup folder.

You need to have file extensions showing to see .vhd extension.

You can mount it with a number of programs, including disk management.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24771-system-image-extract-files-using-disk-management.html

 

[freetvee]

thanks. I can get to the VHD file on my external HD already. Are you suggesting I use Acrium or Aeomi free instead of Windows to restore my old system (since windows isnt finding it). Will both of these free services restore everything exactly like it was even though I didnt originally save the system image with one of these programs? Hopefully its pretty obvious how to start the system restore with these programs, is one recommended over the other?

 

[SIW2]

Best thing is to mount the vhd in disk management.

It then appears like any other drive.

Make an image of the mounted drive with macrium/aomei , save the image somewhere. Then use macrium/aomei to restore the image.

Are you suggesting I use Acrium or Aeomi free instead of Windows to restore my old system

yes

Hopefully its pretty obvious how to start the system restore with these programs

yes

is one recommended over the other?

They are both popular. I am using Aomei atm myself, Just for fun really, ( I have the expensive paragon hdm12 which has a lot more features - but it is not a free program )

Will both of these free services restore everything exactly like it was

yes


Aomei Backupper download only 14mb

 

[Victor S]

Freetv, not sure where you are now with your system, but after you get it up and running, look into using Macrium instead of the Win 7 imaging. And do "cold" imaging and restores, which means from the CD/DVD/Stick, instead of with Windows running. It lessens the chance of "issues."
This is an excellent tutorial.
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

 

[freetvee]

excellent info, thanks! so since my main pc isnt booting but I have it's system image (VHD) on my External HD... Could I do this in a totally separate PC and then somehow boot my old pc to load Aomei/the old system image even if I cant load up into windows, or is that getting too complex? The other option is I think I can reload windows again and then just not register it and start the process you mention for there...

 

[freetvee]

Freetv, not sure where you are now with your system, but after you get it up and running, look into using Macrium instead of the Win 7 imaging. And do "cold" imaging and restores, which means from the CD/DVD/Stick, instead of with Windows running. It lessens the chance of "issues."
This is an excellent tutorial.
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

Thanks Victor. See the other thread-it kind of blew up on me before I could get it started... http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ion-transfer-new-computer-46.html#post2336802 Once I get my original system image back I will try it again!

 

[SIW2]

Yes,


If you install aomei on win7 it can make a pe image for booting.

Otherwise, you can download a premade boot iso from aomei . You just need to burn it as an image to cd/dvd

Download AOMEI Backupper Linux Bootable Disc Image

excellent info, thanks! so since my main pc isnt booting but I have it's system image (VHD) on my External HD... Could I do this in a totally separate PC and then somehow boot my old pc to load Aomei/the old system image even if I cant load up into windows, or is that getting too complex? The other option is I think I can reload windows again and then just not register it and start the process you mention for there...

 

[Victor S]

Thanks Victor. See the other thread-it kind of blew up on me before I could get it started... http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ion-transfer-new-computer-46.html#post2336802 Once I get my original system image back I will try it again!

Right. After you get set up and comfortable doing your imaging/restores by booting to the imaging software CD/DVD/Stick, remember to set sysprep to shutdown upon completion. I think you misread something about the sysprep process you want to do. It should always be set to shut down when tranferring a system, whether via image or HD transfer.
You got into trouble somehow by being in Windows and breaking something. When you do "cold" imaging/restores you can't break Windows.
And it keeps your mind concentrated on that specific task. Works that way for me anyway.
Good luck getting your image restored.

 

[freetvee]

I decided to go through the reinstall boot to windows 7 CD process first, and then loaded my LAN driver. Once I got through that I tried a system recovery first and it found the image this time!?! Thanks for the help once again!