WD HDD not reconized during an Image restore

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I am attempting to restore my Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit to a slightly earlier condition, before another problem began relating to an Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 install presently posted in another forum. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a WD Essentials 2, 1 TB external HDD. Because of the file size limitations in FAT32 I reformated the ext hdd to NTFS as WD suggested (originally formated as FAT 32). I used the Windows 7 Backup utility to store a back up image of my system to the HDD, which completed successfully. I also created a System repair disk using the Windows 7 Back up utility. I am not sure if the Ext HDD was actually attached to the PC when the Repair Disk was created. First, does it need to be attached when I create the Repair Disk??? Second, why won’t the sytem find the HDD Image when I attempt to use the System Repair Disk to restore the image. Any help would be appreciated.

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No I don’t believe having the HDD plugged in during creation of repair disk is necessary.
Have you tried booting to your Win 7 original disk instead of repair disk?

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Also why are you restoring from a recovery disk?

If your win 7 is working ok then you should be restoring an image from the recovery control panel which is the method recommended by win 7

If your computer is still working and you can access Control Panel, or if you want to restore your system image backup onto a different computer, follow these steps:

Click to open Recovery. (control panel applet)

Click Advanced recovery methods.

Click Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer, and then follow the steps.

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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.

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Hi Ted:

You say your system is working but doesn’t recognize your external hard drive. Is the drive a USB drive? If so, it may well be your USB cable that is toasted. If you can find another cable, give it a try and see if it is recognized then.

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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.

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I have not ever been happy with any of Microsoft’s “Backup” or “System Imaging”. I use a third party on (True Image) and I would suggest that you do to. They are well worth the money spent.

Also what is the make and model of this external drive?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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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.

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If you boot to the safe mode is it seen?

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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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.

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Historically IMHO, some backup/restore software has been hampered by the built-in drivers not working well with different chipsets on the external side. Transferring the drive into an external case with a different chipset (or switching to Firewire) may lead to a successful restore. If the backup needed is a standard type, changing the backup/restore software may also work on the existing hardware.

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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.

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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.

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….. 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.

I recommend you start a new thread in the Hardware Forum on this topic.

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I recommend backing up to an internal drive they are more reliable than externals are.
Not to mention faster…and you don’t need a driver.

C

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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.

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