Yes the PC is still working, and I tried both ways to get the ext. HDD seen. I used the system repair disk first as I did not think of the second option. When I tried going through the control panel Backup and Restore option, it does the same thing. it does not see the external hdd. I looked at the OS drivers through device manage for my ext. hdd and tried to load drivers for the ext. hdd from those files during the restore without success.

Basically I am attempting to make the backup work in case catastrophy strikes. Everyone says it’s best to test your backup before you need it. At this point my back up image does not work.

It is a USB Ext HDD, but….. The system does see the HDD during normal use, but when I do the Restore function, when restarting and booting to the restore function, at this time the HDD is not seen. I am attempting to confirm that my restore function works in the event I loose my system for whatever reason. When I try to confirm it works, either using the System Repair Disk or through the windows Backup/Restore control panel, the ext hdd is not seen. I suspect the drivers may not be loaded, but according to WD this Ext HDD uses the basic windows drivers and does not need any further drivers to operate. Somehow, the windows drivers that should load to allow my Ext HDD to be used are not loaded during the Restore process.

WD My Book Essentials 2, model WDH1U10000PN

I do not think this is related to the backup software, but to the fact that for some reason the drivers are not in place when trying to test the restore function. That’s why the HDD is not seen during this process.

Yes it is. I can see it access it, etc. It just isn’t there using the restore function. This is why I think it may be a driver issue. I have also posted this same question on the WD site tech help forum.

David,

Sorry it took so long to respond to your original entry. I just tried to boot from the Win 7 DVD, with the same results. The Ext. HDD is not seen, I believe no drives were loaded by windows. I am waiting to hear from WD on this problem.

Well, WD finally got back to me and tells me the Ext. HDD I bought is not Windows 7 compatible because they have decided not to issue drivers for it so I guess I will be looking for another drive. Does anyone have a recommendation for an External HDD about 1 TB that is Windows 7 compatible. I will return the WD I have and buy something else. Thanks.

Got a laptop. The only way to put images on an internal would be to partition the hd and place the image on the new partition. Since I have a 320 GB hd, I would start eating into my internal HD quickly. That’s why I thought that an Ext HDD would be better. I do not want to go through buying a new int hd and loading all I presently have to it.