True Image 2014 Premium Problem
I have 2 Exact model laptops that I want to save time and not installing the same programs on both, along with updates. I am also replacing drives on both with a SSD.
I loaded one laptop exactly how I wanted it, installed all programs, all Windows Updates, put some files that I want on both, etc. I than booted into the bootable USB I created, and chose to Backup Disk. I backed up to a Disk connected VIA USB.
After backing up, I put a SSD into the laptop. I than plug in my USB drive that has my backup on it. I also plug in the bootable USB Flash drive.
I boot up and choose to Recover Disk. I select the top selection to recover all partitions. I choose my source and destinations. I have used the selection to Restore Disk Image (not entirely sure that's the exact wording). I have also left this unchecked.
However, once it says it is successful, I get an error that says Invalid partition table!
No matter what I do, I get the same error. I can remove the disk from the laptop, and hook it up to a different PC, I can browse the disk and see the same data.
I tried to restore only the C drive and the 100MB reserved partition, with the same results as well. Not sure what step I am missing. I have BACKED UP DISK to two different hard drives to test that. Since I am doing this all through the bootable USB drive, I don't see an option to verify the backup, but that's why I tried 2 different ones.
Both computers are the same exact model, but have different processors. Otherwise everything else is the same.
By coincidence I was just reading this in the help files before reading your appeal.
This applies when recovering/restoring a drive to another drive with same configuration...
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Do I need to recover MBR and disk signature?
Sometimes you need to recover the MBR (Master Boot Record). For instance, it may be necessary when Windows does not boot after recovery. To recover the MBR (either together with the partition or individually), click Show MBR and then select the MBR check box.
If you recover the entire disk, the Recover disk signature check box appears. Disk signature is a part of a hard disk MBR. It is used for uniquely identifying the disk media.
We recommend that you select the Recover disk signature check box due to the following reasons:
Acronis True Image 2014 creates scheduled backups using the signature of the source hard disk. If you recover the same disk signature, you don't need to re-create or edit the backups created previously.
Some installed applications use a disk signature for licensing and other purposes.
****** Pay attention to this part.....
We recommend that you clear the Recover disk signature check box when:
You use an image backup not for disaster recovery but for cloning your Windows hard drive to another one.
Michael, thank you for your response. So, in reading this, I believe I would not use the recover disk signature option, and maybe I should be trying to skip the MBR completely. I'm not sure if I tried that combination yet. I will post a follow up. I'm not concerned about licensing on anything and will be entering a new Windows 7 product key anyways. I will also enter a new office license if need be, but I wanted to have all of the updates done, and all programs installed, and just have to change PC Name, Win7 Key, and have a fully working 2nd laptop.
Thanks again for the response.
I was sent this as a PM, so I'd like to post it here. Very helpful instructions to at least try. Sadly, I just loaded each computer manually, so I am not able to test, but very good advice from Bob Huffman:
I see no one answered your post so thought I would. Have a look at this link, it offers several possible solutions to your problem.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-system/invali...
Regards,
Bob
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Reading through that link, the information below seemed to be the most useful and a path I didn't try:
I fixed the problem as follows:
Turned off the laptop
Unplugged the External USB HDD (and all other USB devices probably not necessary, but didn't know at the time)
Made sure ALL media bays (SD Card reader and DVD drive) were empty
Went into the BIOS config on boot up, and configured the boot sequence to leave off everything except Internal HDD, and CD/DVD (so turned off the USB and secondary HDD from the boot sequence)
Rebooted - and windows resumed without any error message.
Michael, thank you for your response. So, in reading this, I believe I would not use the recover disk signature option, and maybe I should be trying to skip the MBR completely.
Thanks again for the response.
Tom,
I'd keep the MBR, for all your partition information.
Its just the disk signature you don't need because you're moving to a new disk with its own signature.