Backing up and restoring an SSD to a HDD Windows 7 (SOLVED)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
D

dojoman1959

Reputable
Oct 25, 2015
5
0
4,510
I have a Samsung EVO SSD and I want to back up an image to a WD external HDD. I purchased Novabackup and backed the image up to the HDD. However when I tried to restore the image booting up from the disaster recovery disk, the source disk indicated was the SAMSUNG, it would not recognise the HDD as the source disk for the the image. I have been in contact on numerous occasions with their CS but they cannot sort it out for me. All I want is a reliable method of backing up my SSD to the HDD, and then being able to restore the said image back from the HDD to the SSD. Can anyone please help me or recommend the best way of doing this
 
Solution
SuperSoph_WD
Welcome to the community, dojoman1959!

This seems very unfortunate. I'd suggest you to try repeating the process of creating a boot disk for disaster recovery on your WD external. In order to do that, you'd need to reformat it, though. Another thing you could try is reinstalling the backup software itself and see if you'd be able to recognize the external as the system image destination.

If none of these work, I'd simply use Windows 7's ability to create a system image. Here's an article from MS that can walk you through it: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-programs-system-settings-files#1TC=windows-7

Hope it helps you. Keep me posted! :)
SuperSoph_WD
Sort by date Sort by votes
SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
6,758
3
45,960
Welcome to the community, dojoman1959!

This seems very unfortunate. I'd suggest you to try repeating the process of creating a boot disk for disaster recovery on your WD external. In order to do that, you'd need to reformat it, though. Another thing you could try is reinstalling the backup software itself and see if you'd be able to recognize the external as the system image destination.

If none of these work, I'd simply use Windows 7's ability to create a system image. Here's an article from MS that can walk you through it: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-programs-system-settings-files#1TC=windows-7

Hope it helps you. Keep me posted! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

Distinguished
Nov 11, 2011
2,487
1
20,960


If you're using a USB 3.0 port to plug your drive into... it's suggested that you simply plug it into a USB 2.0 Port. I read that on Novabackup's website for those having problems restoring from an External HDD:
http://support.novabackup.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2127223-dr-boot-disc-cannot-see-usb-hard-drive-or-usb-mouse
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

dojoman1959

Reputable
Oct 25, 2015
5
0
4,510

Thanks for the welcome and taking the time to reply. I have already done what you suggested. The backup software already recognises the HDD as a destination drive but not as the source.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

dojoman1959

Reputable
Oct 25, 2015
5
0
4,510


Thanks for the reply but I have already tried what you suggest to no avail.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
6,758
3
45,960


You mean that you are trying to boot from it, right, @dojoman1959? If that's the case, you need to check your BIOS settings and make sure that the USB hub devices are in the boot order (Since the external is connected via USB, not via SATA). The boot priority should be set to your SSD. However, if you want to load the OS from the recovery disk, maybe you should try switching the priority to the WD external HDD and see what happens then.

Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes. :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

dojoman1959

Reputable
Oct 25, 2015
5
0
4,510

Sorry, the software does not give you the option of creating a boot disk/disaster recovery disk to the external HDD, it only allows you to create one on a dvd or a flash drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
6,758
3
45,960
You are right! Unfortunately, that's not uncommon for backup software tools. If you want to have a system image of your OS, you can still keep it on the HDD together with all the backed up data from your system.

However, now we are talking about a System Repair Disk, so you'd definitely need a flash drive or a DVD.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-system-repair-disc

In case there is any sort of disaster with your system, you could use this repair disc to restore/repair the OS. Once you have fixed the system problem, you can transfer back your data to the computer from the external HDD's system image.

SuperSoph_WD
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

Distinguished
Nov 11, 2011
2,487
1
20,960

Can you give some information about your external HDD? Is it a USB 3.0 drive? If so, you said you plugged it into a USB 2.0 port and that didn't work? If so, my best guess would be that the software you bought simply doesn't support restoring images from external hard drives. Your best option would be to try a different software. I used to use Norton Ghost but after I upgraded to Windows 10.. it no longer works. I didn't like the built in Backup Program in Windows since you can't select the the save location nor the specific drives you want to backup... it will force you to back up every single drive on your system (I have four drives).. After doing some checking I decided to try EaseUS solution.... I downloaded and installed the FREE version and it seems to work great. Why not give that a test run and see if that works with external drives. If so, then you could close the book on your problem and conclude your software just doesn't support image restores from External HDD and possibly ask for a refund.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

dojoman1959

Reputable
Oct 25, 2015
5
0
4,510
Have d/l AOMEI Backupper and tried that. Created an image, burnt a bootable disk and did a trial run. Booted up fine and recognised the external HDD along with the created image.
Thanks for all the replies, have also requested a refund that I will escalate to a dispute with Paypal if I don`t receive it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom