Restoring OS image from external drive

Topic

New Reply

I have 2 internal drives on my W7 Home Premium desktop system.
One is partitioned so that C: contains the OS and my programs; D: contains my data.
The 2nd drive is used for backups (using Macrium Reflect, paid version.)

I have a LaCie external drive that I also use for images images. On my system it is drive H:

If I try to restore an image from H: the cursor just blinks, and then asks me to retry or enter system setup.

How do I change the boot order so the system will first look for H: and then revert to C: if I don’t
have the external drive plugged in (which I usually don’t; but would want to if I was trying to restore
an image from H:?)

Thanks for your help,
Dick

PS,
My desktop is a Dell 4600.

Reply | Quote

Replies

If you have an image on drive D or whatever on your 2nd internal drive, you should be able to use that to restore from easier than from your external drive. But in any event in order to boot you need to have a boot disk for whatever Image program you are using – probably Macrium. If you are still able to boot to C Drive, you should go to Macrium in Programs and create such a disk.

Reply | Quote

If you have an image on drive D or whatever on your 2nd internal drive, you should be able to use that to restore from easier than from your external drive. But in any event in order to boot you need to have a boot disk for whatever Image program you are using – probably Macrium. If you are still able to boot to C Drive, you should go to Macrium in Programs and create such a disk.

The only problem here would be if the HD itself goes bad. This is why it is so important to have an Image external to the HD as well. As Clint states boot to the Macrium Boot disk, and access your Image to restore from there. The restoration of the OS should occur from outside the OS. At least this is how I restore from Acronis. I know Dick, Acronis does not work for you.

Reply | Quote

The only problem here would be if the HD itself goes bad. This is why it is so important to have an Image external to the HD as well. As Clint states boot to the Macrium Boot disk, and access your Image to restore from there. The restoration of the OS should occur from outside the OS. At least this is how I restore from Acronis. I know Dick, Acronis does not work for you.

He states that he has images on BOTH a 2nd internal drive as well as the external drive which is good. The restoration if done from an internal drive would normally be easier and faster. The image on the external drive to be used in the event of internal disk failure.

Reply | Quote

If you are attempting to restore the image on the external drive you’ll need the Macrium boot disk.You might also try just using the keyboard. Having the external drive made to show as first boot drive will only make sense if you have something on it to boot to.

Reply | Quote

Thanks all. A few clarifications:
I take images to my internal drive and external drive for just the reason Ted mentioned – in case my internal drive dies.
I have used the Macrium rescue cd often (’cause of playing around w/my system), and restored from my internal drive’s image.
A few months ago I installed a Macrium “extra”, such that when I boot up normally I am presented with 3 choices, in the following order:
Windows 7
Macrium Reflect System Recovery
Microsoft Windows Recovery Console

If I choose door #2, I can recover from a Macrium image on my internal drive without having to use the rescue cd.

So, what I was trying to accomplish – and, hence my question, was to use choice #2 and recover from an image on my external drive.

It turns out – as per your suggestions – that I have to use the rescue cd to recover from the external drive. I have done so, and can continue on with my “belt and suspenders” approach to taking images.

Thanks,
Dick

Reply | Quote

Interesting.

You MAY be able to get the boot order you wish by going into your BIOS settings with your external drive attached.

Reply | Quote

Thanks all. A few clarifications:
I take images to my internal drive and external drive for just the reason Ted mentioned – in case my internal drive dies.
I have used the Macrium rescue cd often (’cause of playing around w/my system), and restored from my internal drive’s image.
A few months ago I installed a Macrium “extra”, such that when I boot up normally I am presented with 3 choices, in the following order:
Windows 7
Macrium Reflect System Recovery
Microsoft Windows Recovery Console

If I choose door #2, I can recover from a Macrium image on my internal drive without having to use the rescue cd.

So, what I was trying to accomplish – and, hence my question, was to use choice #2 and recover from an image on my external drive.

It turns out – as per your suggestions – that I have to use the rescue cd to recover from the external drive. I have done so, and can continue on with my “belt and suspenders” approach to taking images.

Thanks,
Dick

when you choose option #2 “Macrium Reflect System recovery” maybe it is requiring you to put in the rescue disc. Unless Macrium Extra has put the contents of the rescue disk on your hard disk somewhere (maybe in an extra partition as windows recovery console is often set up) maybe there is an option during this procedure to select the drive that the image is stored on if it can see your external drive.

Reply | Quote

Yes, I realize this. I guess we are just misinterpreting what each other are saying. We are both saying the same thing from the opposite sides it appears.

Reply | Quote

Story of my life . . .

Dick

Reply | Quote

For what it’s worth, I put my drive images on an external drive that is in a powered drive dock connected through eSATA. It’s the same speed as going to an internal drive. The drive dock was under $40 USD, and included all the necessary cables and hardware. It can also connect through USB, but eSATA is noticably faster.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

Reply | Quote