System Image - Recover a Broken Windows 7 System Image

betaupsilon · 15 Apr 2016

I am attempting to use MACRIUM now to recover some broken images, but I have some confusion on your tutorial. You state:

"Imaging an attached VHD is no different than imaging any other volume (partition or drive). Start Macrium and follow the steps explained in the Macrium imaging tutorial that is linked above."

There are 2 choices for imaging:
1) Image drives on this computer
2) Create an image of partitions to backup & restore WINDOWS.

Choosing #2 seems to be logical, but it only displayed drives with the current OS & no vhd's. #1 allowed me to select the vhd's, but is this simply cloning the vhd's or will these be functional OS's when they are restored?

Moreover, is it necessary to include the RESERVE partition? I am assuming the restore procedure in the WIN PE environment will handle the MBR & appropriate partitioning. Am I correct? If so I would think the RESERVE is unnecessary.

whs · 15 Apr 2016

The reserve partition contains the bootmgr. So if you want to boot, you better have that.

betaupsilon · 15 Apr 2016

whs said:

The reserve partition contains the bootmgr. So if you want to boot, you better have that.

So MACRIUM does not create a new one? If not, do I include the RESERVE in the same image with the other vhd's or in a separate image alone with itself?

whs · 15 Apr 2016

Either way is OK.

betaupsilon · 15 Apr 2016

Another ?:
My system is a triple boot system so along with the reserve I am imaging 4 partitions. Will MACRIUM follow the allotted partitions for the mounted .vhd's or do I have to construct partitions manually?

whs · 15 Apr 2016

The sizing should be OK without any special arrangements.

betaupsilon · 16 Apr 2016

I am thoroughly confused. Can you designate all 4 partitions to be restored or does it have to be 1 at a time? I placed all 4 partitions inside 1 image file, but could only manage to restore each partition 1 at a time. Moreover, at the end of the process I could not boot. I got the message that there was no boot file or record even though I restored the RESERVE partition.

I think I need more clear cut directions on this procedure.

The problem I think is that the .vhd's are mounted & seen by MACRIUM as 4 independent disks or drives instead of 4 system partitions that reside on 1 drive; hence, I can only restore 1 at a time? Furthermore, the restored partitions take on the drive letters of the mounted .vhd's & not the drive letter of the system partition when it was imaged. I am not really sure. I need more guidance.

betaupsilon · 16 Apr 2016

whs said:

The reserve partition contains the bootmgr. So if you want to boot, you better have that.

Based on what has transpired imaging the RESERVE partition is useless when attempting to restore from .vhd's. The restored partitions take on the drive letters of the mounted .vhd's & not the drive letter of the system partition when it was imaged.

So it is necessary to reconstruct the MBR via bcdedit or possibley the EASYBCD tool if you boot from a WIN RE or WIN PE CD/DVD.

I still cannot figure out how to restore the restore the .vhd images in a single operation. I could use some input on that.

whs · 16 Apr 2016

Why don't you do it your way since you seem to know how to go about it.

betaupsilon · 16 Apr 2016

whs said:

Why don't you do it your way since you seem to know how to go about it.

Currently my way only restores the partitions 1 by 1. I have been asking for help to do them all in a single operation. Can this be done or not? If so HOW?