usb flash drive not a valid backup location for system image

To answer :-

1 - and 2 , I made system image to this usb drive using Macrium Reflect with no problems.

Why can't Windows 8 .this new and latest offering from Microsoft handle it from within using there own system image creator. They try and discourage you from using 3rd party software but it seems that you just have to when there system does not work as well.

The link you sent was for creating folder on C-drive and sending the image there or am I missing something.

Regards

Hi,

I have the same problem, (the drive is not a valid back-up location) It's not that i don't want to try all of these "solutions" (or not) , spending a whole evening. But why?

It always seems that when something doesn't work properly, microsoft is twisting and turning, to make you believe that you have to try this and that and if it does not work you can also try another solution and another, etc.

This is what i understand, i also  have macrium reflect. Even when you mess everything up, this programm still gives you a working image! on cd, dvd, usb, harddisk or even on a floppy disk!

I don't understand it, do i reallly have to use my old back-up programm, is microsoft really so negligent, do you really care? About YOUR name?

I'm very sorry, i'm saying this while i (still) have a positive attitude about microsoft, and that is becoming rare!

Honestly, i think you have a leading position and maybe then, you also earned it.

Why throw this away?

The internet and the world is full of crappy software, so i know that what MS offers, is not so bad at all!

Everytime i visit microsoft they will ask for feedback, everytime ill give it.

My opinion: Update the software so it works properly, Update it so even an elderly person , who does not know about computers, can use it. 

Simular problem, when i use IE11 the button for going back to previous page doesn't work properly,  i'll have to push it twice.

I already noticed that i'm not the only one having this problem. The solutions given to another poor soul, di'd not work! I also tried them!

So now it seems that they  say, it's because of specifik sites that block this button!

(Trying to blame someone/thing else)

I tried using IE11, i gave it a chance. I know that this problem didn't occur while i was using Google's browser, So it's really your problem!

I'm not looking for response, niether am i looking for all kinds of solutions, i'm just giving microsoft my feedback. Everytime they ask and everytime i visit one of your sites!

(because i'm having troubles with your software!)

Maybe this is not the right place to write this, but it seems that it's never the right place. so it doesn't matter.  I will hope!    ---- a small change wil ripple and change the world! ---

Do with it as you like, throw it in the bin or let it float between callcenters and other nice people who just try to help me, and don't have the power to really do something about it!

have a lovely day,

best regards

Merijn

Hi Shakey,

I think you have a slight misunderstanding.  It sounds like you may have the idea that a "Bootable" Recovery Drive is the same as a "System Image".  They are two separate things!

A "System Image" is NOT bootable.  Very simply put (little more complicated in reality) is just an exact copy of all the files on your hard drive (usually C:) where the operating system resides including your personal files and all your system settings.  When I say an exact copy - I mean exact including the EMPTY space on the drive.  This is why if you have say a 500 GB hard drive but only 100 GB of it is occupied - a 128 GB USB flash drive will not be a valid drive because it cannot accommodate the empty space.  Windows does sometimes allow a drive to be somewhat less than the full capacity of the drive you want to create an image of but it cannot be that much smaller.  A good rule of thumb would be it has to be at least half the size but this is just a rough guess.

A bootable "Recovery Drive" -on the other hand- is what you would use in the event you could not even boot up from your hard drive for some reason.  It would be used to access the ***Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE)***externally in order to access the utility to restore your system using the System Image you created at some time in the past.  However, if your PC is still capable of at least booting up from the hard drive - you could access Windows RE WITHOUT a bootable Recovery Drive and restore your system to an earlier point in time using your System Image.

If you are unsure of how to create a System Image or a Recovery Drive I can send you a guide (PDF file) if you provide me with your email.  It goes into step by step details of how to create a System Image and a Recovery Drive.  It also explains how to access Windows RE and how to restore your system using your System Image.

Try this:

• create a directory on your USB drive
• right-click the directory and choose "Share with", "Specific people"
• choose yourself from the list of users and click Share and Done
• in the "Create System Image" menu choose "On a network location"
• now enter the URL for your share (\your-computer\sharename)
• enter your username and password and click OK

Good luck.

/Claus

That was genius; although I am not sure that if I can use this backup when I need it.

/ V

I appreciate your reply but I have 64gb flash drive and my system image is only approx. 16gb ,as I knew before getting that size flash drive.

Is it possible to place the flash drive as part of home network and then proceed to backup to that location.

Hi there!

I have Windows 7 freshly installed on my machine and I decided to install all the program that I need,

then create a system image.

I bought the same type of USB stick, but from different supplier...the 2 of 64GB and 1 of 128GB.

The System image at the point I attempt to create is DECLARED from Windows 42GB.

I format the 64GB USB stick prior attempting creating the image with Windows,

and Windows does not recognize this a valid device(corrupt message).

I was very frustrated then I tried to use the 128 GB. Same process...

Windows recognize them as proper and created the image.

However at this point I wanted also tried to use it.

Separate, I created a DVD for the startup that work correctly.

At the point of RESTORiNG the image from USB, Windows cannot recognize the USB connected to the machine as lack of drivers.

Then I used the Dos prompt to install the driver...I made prior two different DVD...1DVD with the exact .inf .dll  than WiN7 is using when running, 1 with setup file from internet executable to install the driver.

Both ways has been a failure...no probs now...but when recover image will be necessary what I will do?

Been trough the old MSCDEX cd driver and SATA driver dedicated installation by myself...here a new problem harder then previous

It is possible that with weekly update Microsoft cannot sort this so simple things in 2013?

Technically a HARD DRiVE is not safer than USB pen properly stored

DIRECT QUESTiON: How to install the usb driver installed to recover system image ?