Skip to main content

Windows update won't run after full restore

Thread needs solution

System : Windows 7 Samsung NC10 netbook with SSD
Following a disastrous experience trying to resize a partition with Paragon Partition Manager (the process started then just aborted half way through then wouldn't restart seemingly with corrupt MBR) I abandoned the idea and resorted to a TI2011 restore from an earlier backup. The backup image was a partition backup and I proceeded to restore the C, D and MBR and very happily found the system to come back up normally.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get Windows update to work - first error was about the windows update service not running - but it was- then after trying countless fixes found on the web started getting another error message which I was still unable to fix.
Mysteriously after a couple of days the Automatic update started downloading updates and after installing seems to have sorted things.
I am very nervous now about using True Image in case this problem occurs again - and worse still on one of my other work machines.
Has anyone come across this before or has any idea what could cause it.
Apart from this the content and working of the machine was exactly as i'd expect from the backup image.
Thanks

0 Users found this helpful

I have done dozens, maybe hundreds, of full disk restores with Acronis True Image, on WinXP, Win Vista, and Win7, and have never had that problem. It may have been coincidental, since Windows Update problems are common.

kgee,
My suggestion would be to switch your backup style from Partition type to disk mode type. The switch would enable you to have the Disk Signature included within the backup. Then during the restore, you would also invoke the option to Recover disk Signature. Often times, this signature is needed by Windows update. Click on link #2 for an example of a disk option backup.

If still interested in resizing a partition, post a screen capture of your Disk Management graphical view and indicat e the changes you want. Maybe the forum volunteers could offer suggestions.

GroverH. Thanks very much for the reply. I 've just now read one of your earlier posts on the issue and can see why this may have caused a problem. Now thinking back exactly what happened was that I restored the C partition first then the D and rebooted - the machine wouldn't bootup ( despite the fact I note from your earlier post that C should have included the MBR ?? I then booted up again with the TI2011 disk and restored the MBR separately. After this all seemed well, the machine came up immediately and I thought everything was ok until I found the issue with the windows update.
The only other strange thing I noticed ( and this was some time after ) that the date and time was wrong. Thought this would have just been restored from the bios or corrected as soon as it was connected to the internet ? Anyway, it wasn't so I corrected it manually.
So, I guess all is well and will start Disk back ups as you suggest then just restore the whole thing.
It's still puzzling why the auto update seems to have corrected itself - I can now run the "Windows Update" function without problems.
In the restore I took the opportunity to do the partition resizing so that issue has gone away as well. Will be very wary about using Partition Manager though even though I've used it very successfully in the past.
Thanks again for the info

GroverH. The only other thing I missed earlier regarding your previous post about Recover disk Signature was - under what circumstances would you NOT use it ? I am still a bit confused about that - particularly since it would be used to clone a new drive.

You would not Recover the Disk Signature if you are planning on keeping two identical disks such as an old and new replacment--both installed. Windows will not allow two identical disk signature so if that does occur, Windows will change one of the disk--maybe the wroing one. This is why we inidcate when doing a restore or clone procedure, always remove the source and keep only the target during the first bootup.

Generally, it is not necessary to recover the disk signature when doing a simple disk restore overtop an existing install. If creating a replacement disk, then restoring the signature can be a big help. The general purpose of the recover disk signature (not to be confused with Track 0/mbr which is different) is to indicate that the new or old disk is a continuation --not a totally new installation.

It is important that the user know their partition arrangement and which disk the active partition. There are times when the user needs to overrule the program as to which is the active partition. When restoring, the screen which has the Proceed/Cancel option is a summary screen and shows what is going to occur. This is a good inspection time to make sure the restore is going to occur according to your wishes--not that just of the program. When necessary, use the Cancel option to prevent the Restore from ever beginning.

Restoring from a disk option backup is particularly important when createing a new disk or having real problems with an old disk. Interim restores of single partitions does not require a disk option backup and these can be partition type backup--if there are storage space limits. Sometimes space dictates that you restore an old (not current) full disk backup followed by a restore of a current partition backup. My point being is that not every backup needs to be a disk backup but if you are restoring to a new disk, then the best backup to have is the disk option backup rather than a partition backup of the same partitions.

The Recover disk signature is a specific opiton and only available on those backups which were created as "disk mode" or full disk backup. Many of us have been trying to get this changed so that a partition backup ( which includes all partitions) would also have the disk signature available. Maybe some time soon....

Grover,

When restoring partition mode backups from the Rescue Media, the Restore Disk Signature option is available. It is not available when restoring a partition mode backup from within Windows. It seems that any time you create a partition mode backup, the disk signature is included, but is not always visible when restoring as noted above.

As a test for you, make a backup of any partition on your disk, and then boot to the rescue media and simulate the restore. You should find the option to restore the disk signature. If you don't see this behavior, let me know. I've seen this option in 2012 build 7133 Rescue Media (and I believe, much earlier versions/builds as well) and in all the 2013 Rescue Media to date (5551, 6514, 6528).

James,
Thank you for the update. I will get back to you after I had time to digest this info--probably Tuesday.

kgee,

Correction to my prior post. You do NOT need the Disk option backup to have the Disk Signature included in your backups. As pointed out by MVP James F above, it would have included in your backup which you restored.

The Recover disk signature opiton should have been offered to you on the next screen following your selection of MBR/Track0 to be restored. The option is easy to miss but that option should be on the same screen where you select the target disk to receive the MBR/Track0 restoration.

http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2009/11/5940/recover-signat…

Nethertheless, I do believe the disk option backup is the best backup for most users. Ready why in the post below.

Hi James F,
Thank you for the correction of mis-information. As you have stated, If the restore lists the "MBR/TRACK0 as available for restore (which is always does for MBR Type backups), the "Recover Disk Signature" will be included and found on screen where all disks are listed with a header of "Select Destination of Disk...." Not sure when this feature was added but definitely there for the more recent past versions.

http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2009/11/5940/recover-signat…

Unfortunately, the option to Recover Disk Signature is often overlooked. but is offered on backups of single or multiple partitions as well as disk type backups. This option is offered even if the backup is a backup of a single partition.

While the disk option backup is not a requirement in order to have access to the "Recover Disk Signature" option, the disk backup (disk mode-all partitions) remains my recommended backup type regardless from within Windows or TI Recover CD. Naturally, there can be exceptions, but the full disk image is my preferred type of backup for the following reasons:

1. All partitions selected and included by the program. All partitions needed for a successful restore are included automatically. User omission of a hidden or non-lettered is avoided.

2. If the backup type is a disk mode or full disk backup, when performing a disk option restore (via CD), the disk image backup enables the user (if desired) to select the disk as being restored and user is immediately passed to the "Select Destination of disk..." usually without the requirement to configure each partition individually.

http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2009/11/5940/recover-signat…

This feature saves time and prevents an assortment of user errors which can prevent the disk being bootable. Granted, not every user or situation may warrant the disk option restore. User may need to adjust each partition individually but if the backup type is "partition type", this requirement is forced on the user without any opportunity to bypass this requirement.

3. If the backup type is partiton type (all partitions), the link below illustrates what is forced on the user and this option involves 3 or more screens for each partition restored. Whereas, these screens can be often be avoided if restoring a disk option backup.

http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2009/11/5940/restore-partit…

This response is lengthy but I did want to convey that while the Recover Disk Signature is included in all type disk or partition backups, the Disk Image backup remains my preferred type--for most (?) situations.

Thank you James for taking the time to clarify this feature.
Grover

un-intended duplicate.