Restore to an external drive

[Sunlion70822]

Can I restore a system image backup ONTO an external drive? I did a drag-and-drop backup of data files only, but one is missing. I don't want to restore the whole thing, but thought maybe I could restore an earlier system image backup onto an external drive, find my missing file, and put it on the new hard drive.

 

[Sunlion70822]

Sorry for the late reply. Tomorrow is Windows Update day and I wanted to get a good system backup in first.

Try this, first Detach the VHD files again. Now add them again, but be sure that the "Read Only" box is NOT checked. [Here] is why. Someone else was having this type of problem and that might help.

From Computer Management>Storage>Disk Management, when you right-click and click Attach VHD, the dialog box that comes up has a check box for Read-only. If you check this box and try to mount the "Drive" it comes up as a blank volume. If you do not have this box checked, it will successfully mount the VHD.

 

[Sunlion70822]

My turn to have a delayed reply. I had tone out this afternoon. I will try your suggestion, but I did check at least once for the possibility of "read only."
Good luck with your update!

 

[Sunlion70822]

OK this is weird. It looks like the D drive (the external drive) has copied itself. Could this be the real problem? I can't seem to attach a photo to this post (writing on my iPhone). But under Local Disk (C): the Seagate Backup Plus Drive appears twice. Both list the same folders, including the WindowsImageBackup.

 

[gardenman]

It's easier to post the image to a image hosting site like https://postimage.io/ and then link to it.

I really have no clue what you have going on.. with the disks.. and I'm not sure if a screen shot will help or not, but it might. You might want to go back into Disk Management and detach all of the VHDs to see if you can get that straightened out.

I also read today that 7-Zip will open VHD files. This would be much much easier than trying to attach the file(s) in Disk Management. If you don't have 7-Zip installed, I recommend downloading it and trying it out. You can even associate VHD files with it and open them by double clicking on them.

 

[Sunlion70822]

It's easier to post the image to a image hosting site like https://postimage.io/ and then link to it.

I really have no clue what you have going on.. with the disks.. and I'm not sure if a screen shot will help or not, but it might. You might want to go back into Disk Management and detach all of the VHDs to see if you can get that straightened out.

I also read today that 7-Zip will open VHD files. This would be much much easier than trying to attach the file(s) in Disk Management. If you don't have 7-Zip installed, I recommend downloading it and trying it out. You can even associate VHD files with it and open them by double clicking on them.

 

[Sunlion70822]

I have detached all VHDs several times. I may try the 7-Zip idea. I've used that program before.

You've been more than generous with your time and knowledge. If/when I ever get this straightened out, I'll let you know. Thank you again. -Carol