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Restored Backup Image Hangs on Windows Welcome Screen

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Using Acronis True Image 2013 build 6514

I needed to restore my last back up image of my C drive (a solid state drive; one partition; data are safe and sound on a separate D drive which is where I also store my Acronis back up images). Unfortunately, following the restoration, Windows 8.1 boots up goes to the "Welcome" screen and gives me the line "Preparing Windows" a the circle of dots rotates. Eventually the screen goes black, although my mouse does move the cursor around. I get the same deadly result when I restore an earlier Windows 8 image (so the problem is not Windows 8.1). Rebooting makes no difference -- I get the same result.

The first restoration attempt was started with Acronis within Windows 8.1. The subsequent ones were done from my Acronis DVD (obviously, since I can't get back into Windows).

In the past I had no problem restoring a backup image (I always do full backups). For restoring, I am selecting the entire disk including the Master Boot Record (MBR). I have tried it with "Recover Disk Signature" checked and with it not checked. The result has been the same every time.

I have used "diskpart" to confirm that the "C" drive is, indeed, the "C" drive. The files are present on the C drive. Using bootrec.exe, I have run FixMBR and FixBoot to no avail. The problem continues.

I've built about 70 Windows computers and know enough to be dangerous -- but I am stymied. Does anybody have any clue why this is happening and how to overcome it? Help, please.

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Daniel,

First, I would suggest that you do all your system partition restores or disk restores when booted from the TrueImage Recovery CD.

If your backup type is the disk mode type whereby you select the disk as the checkpoint rather than individual partitions, then your easiest restore would be the disk option restore whereby you checkmark the disk (not specific partitions) as the restore point so indivual partition restore is not necessary.
For reference on disk mode backups, click link 2 below and look at the first few illustrations discussion disk mode backups. For reference of disk option restore, click link 3 below and skim item #2. My suggestion for use of the "Recover disk signature" is that it "should" be done when transferring to a replacement disk or if the disk is having boot issues.; or it is optional on routine restores.

In addition to the above, another option you can try is to sign up for a test of version 2014 which support Windows 8. Register the provided serial number for 2014 and download only the ISO bootable media file. Once downloaded, you can right click on the ISO file and use the Win7 or Win8 "open with Windows Disk Image Burner" to create a 2014 Recovery CD. This would enable you to test the 2014 CD as the test version can be used to restore any of your 2013 or 2012 backups. Note the test CD can only do restores--cloning is not enabled.

Before attempting any restore of a GPT OR UEFI SYSTEM, use DISKPART (or other) and look at the sequence order of partitions. As I have observed, currently, TrueImage is only capable of putting the 128mb Microsoft Reserved partition as the partition 1. If you are building installing your own Windows, then your installation probably has the 128mb first as well. You should review both the source disk and the resulting restored disk to know whether the restored sequence is the same as the original source sequence.

Even with all the above, there is stil the chance you may need to use the Windows Installation CD and perform a Startup Repair. Never boot with both source and restored or cloned disk attached at the same time during the first boot after a restore or cloning process. Two identical disks attached at same time on first boot causes issues with Windows booting and has rendered both disks not bootable in some reported instances.

My suggestion involves always installing the target disk inside the computer in normal boot location and booting from the CI Recovery CD to perform the restore or clone procedures. Backup file or source disk located in an alternate location such as an external enclosure.