Macrium Reflect Free version 6 - rescue disc will not boot.

[Kick]

Hi,

I've been using Macrium Reflect for some time now on an XP desktop and more recently on a Windows 7 desktop. I like the program and it has got me out of a few scrapes over the years. Previously I have used the Linux version of the Macrium Rescue Disc to boot my system when needed but the update to version 6 (free) I got today, when I opened Reflect to do a backup, appears not to offer the option to create a Linux version rescue disc but only the Windows PE version.

I am hoping that my previous Linux based rescue disc will be compatible with this latest version of Reflect because, although I believe I followed correct procedure in creating a Windows PE version of the rescue disc (two attempts), I cannot get it to boot. Being a user of the free version of the program, I am not allowed to use Macrium's help forum so I am hoping that someone on this forum may be able to offer some advice and guidance please.

An extra option, included in version 6 of Reflect and which sounds interesting, is to create an additional boot option that enables booting into Reflect without the need to use a boot disc at all but I'd rather wait to hear others' experience of this before I try the method in case I mess up booting Windows 7 in general.

Cheers, Kick.

 

[DSTM]

I would disconnect all drives except the drive with the backup on and see if it will boot.
Has worked for me. I have never used a boot disk yet on multiple computers.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

I'm assuming that you made an image file and not a disk clone?
In which case you would need to use the rescue disk.
I use the Windows PE and haven't had a problem with it yet.

Using version 6, you can add a boot menu option which I used to use all of the time in Acronis rather than a rescue disk.
I haven't tried the Macrium Reflect boot option yet but if it works as well as the Acronis one did, I'll be very pleased.

 

[Plastic Nev]

One thing I discovered a good few versions since, is that a rescue disk either the Windows PE or the linux that has been made with a previous version, will not work with an image made with next version. So any disks you have you might as well throw away unless you have an image made with a version that matches a disk. That disk should run with the image from the same version the disk was made with.

Nev.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Good to know, Nev. Have you tried the F11 boot option with Macrium yet?

 

[Plastic Nev]

I stopped making images on the external drive since I bought a spare drive, I now make a clone on the spare drive. It means a quicker rescue to just swap out the old drive and put in the spare, a few screws and replace plugs, your up and running in a lot less time than it takes for an image to install. You can worry about what went wrong on the original drive in your spare time then.
So to answer the question, I have never needed to try it.

Nev.

 

[DSTM]

I do the same,Nev.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

For obvious reasons that option won't work for some people.

For me, it's not feasible because I have too many computers.
For others, less experienced, they may not know how to swap out a hard drive.

In fact, I've just recently begun to switch my Acronis machines over to Macrium.

 

[Kick]

Hi all,

Thanks everyone for your interest.

DSTM, I have tried what you suggested but the disk will not boot - I see a screen with the message "attempting to boot from CD/DVD" or similar but the system then moves on to the usual boot sequence and continues to boot Windows 7 normally.

Fortunately, at the moment, I don't need to restore my system but on creating the image backup when I first used Reflect version 6, I was prompted to create the rescue disc and saw the only option was for the Windows PE type. Previously I have had no problems with the Linux rescue disc and my preference, had I been given the choice, would have been to create another Linux version. However, not having that choice, I went ahead to create the Windows PE version and that process appeared to have worked according to the generated messages. My Windows 7 is a 'Home Premium' OEM version - I don't know if that makes a difference but I suspect that the problem may relate to the downloading and installing the Microsoft PE files within the Macrium Reflect program.

I may pursue the additional boot option offered by Macrium which, if successful, would be very convenient - would this still be workable if the main operating system should become unbootable?

I would like to get a Windows PE rescue disc working but have no idea what I may have done incorrectly or missed out in my previous attempts to build the rescue disc. If necessary I may uninstall Macrium Reflect version 6 Free and go back to version 5 but hope the problem is something simple such as a bug in the free program update from v5 to v6 which Macrium will address. More likely, I know, is that it is something I have done or not done.

Regards, Kick.

 

[DSTM]

Hi Kick.
If you made the backup with version 5 as Nev said and since updated to version 6 then it's not going to boot.You have to uninstall version 6 and install version 5.
Earlier versions can be got easily from "File Hippo" Earlier versions right hand side of link.

http://filehippo.com/download_macrium_reflect/

If you go into your Bios and change first boot to the drive in question (not cd/dvd) I would be surprised if it doesn't boot. You can disconnect your cd/dvd and all other hard drives as I said and it should boot.All depends what Motherboard you have as you can hot swap the drives while computer running.Try exactly the way I said with what version you done the backup with. It can't boot back to the normal Windows 7 as you said if the drive is disconnected (pull sata cable off drive) first like I said.If the boot order hasn't been changed then it will boot to Windows7.

 

[Kick]

Hi Kick.
If you made the backup with version 5 as Nev said and since updated to version 6 then it's not going to boot.You have to uninstall version 6 and install version 5.
Earlier versions can be got easily from "File Hippo"
If you go into your Bios and change first boot to the drive in question (not cd/dvd) I would be surprised if it doesn't boot. You can disconnect your cd/dvd and all other hard drives as I said and it should boot.All depends what Motherboard you have as you can hot swap the drives while computer running.Try exactly the way I said with what version you done the backup with. It can't boot back to the normal Windows 7 as you said if the drive is disconnected (pull sata cable off drive) first like I said..

Hi DSTM,

Thanks for your quick reply. My latest backup was made with version 6 but no joy with the Win PE rescue disc created in that program. I still have a couple of recent backups created with version 5 if I need them and I have downloaded the version 5 installer from FileHippo. I don't actually need to run a backup image but, as Macrium advised when I ran version 6, I tested the rescue disc I had just created and booting was unsuccessful.

The key question now is, if I add the additional boot option offered by Macrium Reflect version 6, does it still become accessible if Windows 7 itself becomes unbootable?

I don't fully understand the rest of your post - perhaps I didn't explain my problem clearly - I do understand the concept of Macrium Reflect version 6 not being compatible with backup images created in earlier versions although I have, in the past, found Linux rescue discs created on earlier versions of the program still give access to and can restore image files created on version 5. The boot order in my BIOS is CD/DVD, HDD and USB. My image files are stored on an externall USB HDD but I don't want to boot from that drive, I want to boot from the CD/DVD to allow Reflect to access the image files from the connected external HDD.

Cheers and regards, Kick.

PS. I don't know if you are are cricket fan, I am not particularly one but the Ashes series are a bit special - I'm afraid I don't have high hopes for England in the upcoming series - I guess our American friends will wonder what I am talking about.

 

[DSTM]

I was of the understanding you can't retrieve files from a backup as the files are compressed.

However a system clone you can as the files are not compressed. I have retrieved files from my clone OK.
Nev may know more.

PS. Judging by the English Cricket team's recent performances the Aussies should win the Ashes comfortably..

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hum, Two of you knocking our English cricket team eh? GRR. We will see LOL.

A good point about a total failure of the operating system, if it can't boot you aren't going to be able to access the Macrium program to be able to run a rescue from it.

Anyway, back to the disk business, I am also very surprised that the Linux option isn't available any more, and without actually burning a disk myself to double check, I can only suggest trying again with a different make of disk.
When I was making images to my external drive I did actually use the Windows PE and had no trouble, however that was with much earlier versions of Macrium.

I also see that with this version 6 and a correctly burned rescue disk they are saying you can access files within the image, in the past that wasn't possible due to the compression used as DSTM has said.

I would be downloading and installing version 5 again and then stick with that as we know that version can make the Linux disk, and is reliable.
It might also be worth having a look in your downloads folder, I just looked and still have Reflect version 5 application files from 2011, you might also have some even earlier to do a reinstall. If you do have them and want to use again, might be best to uninstall the present version 6 first in case of a possible conflict.

Nev.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

You can access the boot menu when Windows isn't accessible, if you have already installed the boot menu option.

You will see a prompt when you turn on the computer. Right after the BIOS screen, you will be prompted to press F11 to access Macrium Reflect recovery.

 

[Kick]

Hi Nev and Cindy,

Nev, re: the Ashes series - I'm thinking that if I'm a little pessimistic regarding England's chances, we might do well - if that strategy works, I can then get back to DSTM. Regarding Macrium Reflect version 6; the Linux rescue disk option has definitely been withdrawn but there is a poll on the Macrium forum as to whether it should be brought back - the poll questions are a bit odd e.g "Did you notice that the Linux option was no longer available" but regarding the straight "bring it back" and "don't bring it back" questions, the bring the Linux option back is leading so far. Unfortunately users of the free version cannot join the Macrium forum and it is unclear how one can contribute as a 'guest'.

I tried downloading an earlier version of Macrium Reflect from FileHippo but, although I set things up correctly regarding the version number I wanted, the downloaded file was the latest version 6. I tried this several times but always with the same result. Fortunately I backup my download folder and store old downloads going way back so I was able to find the installer for version 5.2.6437.0. There have been a few updates since that was issued but before the final update to version 6 but, as expected, only the version 6 update is offered. To stop the nagging when I run the program, I have disabled the updater. I have also chosen not to compress my backup images - I have always done this as space on the external storage drive is more than adequate for the few backup images I keep. I have already uninstalled version 6 - one day, when I can resolve the Windows PE rescue disk issue or if Macrium doonce more include the Linux option, I may reinstall it.

Cindy: Thanks for your post and the clarification about the boot menu - it sounds a useful addition but,as I have said to Nev, I have, for the time being, uninstalled version 6 and reinstalled version 5.2.6437.0. I'd really like to know if I did something wrong when I tried to create the PE rescue disk in version 6 or if there is a bug in the free version that does not appear in other versions of 6.

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments, this a great forum, best regards, Kick.

 

[Kick]

Update:
Although, whatever older version of Macrium Reflect I opted to download from FileHippo, it always provided the latest version 6 installer so, as stated in my last post, I reinstalled version 5.2.6437.0 which I had filed away. When I ran this version, its updater would only offer the update to version 6 so I disabled the updater. Since then I have searched the internet and found a few sites with later versions of Macrium Reflect 5. I am very wary of which sites I visit but my Avast anti-virus programme gives some indication if a site has a record of giving problems - I also scan installers with Avast and Malwarebytes before running the installer. The little program Unchecky also gives some additional help in keeping out PUPs. Eventually I found Macrium Reflect version 5.3.7299.0 which I believe is the last version before 6. It came out clean in my checks and installed no unwanted extras so I am safely back to where I was before I updated to version 6. Now I can use my Linux based rescue disc should the need arise.

I am still puzzled as to why I could not create a workable Win PE rescue disc in version 6 so I will keep an eye on the Macrium forum to see if there are any developments including any concerning the possible reintroduction of the Linux based rescue disc.

regards to all, Kick.

 

[Plastic Nev]

Having recently updated to version 6 myself, and considering I have some time available tomorrow, I will try to burn a Windows PE disk myself and see if I see any problems. I have a heap of fairly cheap disks, as well as good quality ones, so if I get a success or not with one of those I will let you all know.

Nev.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Thanks, Nev. I have decided to go with the boot menu option as that was always my preference with Acronis.

 

[Kick]

Thanks from me too Nev. It will be interesting to see, if you get the WinPE rescue disc up and running, what size the contents are and what folder/files are included as compared to my non-working disc.

I have indirectly related questions - if necessary I will ask them in another section of the forum but as I came upon the issues using Macrium Reflect when I created an image backup of my system (C) drive partition on my XP desktop, I will begin in this thread. For some reason I cannot use the 'safely remove hardware' feature to disconnect my external SATA drive. Normally I have no problem but now I always seem to get the 'problem ejecting ....' error message. I've tried stopping file indexing on the drive to no avail. If I reboot the system into Puppy Precise (it is a dual boot arrangement), I can eject it from there or, of course, I can just shut down the system and switch the drive off (it has an independent power supply). My questions are as follows:
1) What might be causing the 'safely remove hardware' error?
2) Am I correct in thinking that once the computer is shut down, it is safe to disconnect the external drive by switching it off?
3) Although the computer and the external drive are powered from separate switched extension sockets so one can be switched off without affecting the other, ultimately they both connect to the same wall socket which is switched off at the end of sessions (I hope you can follow my convoluted explanation) - would it be reasonable to leave the external drive switched on whenever the computer is switched on and only switch it off, when the computer is powered down, at the main wall socket?

 

[Plastic Nev]

Once a computer is booted down or off, it is then OK to turn off or disconnect any external drive or device.
I sometimes get a warning that a drive cannot be removed as something is still using it. Trying to find what it is, takes longer than turning the whole thing off and then disconnecting the drive.
It is possible that something is using or connected to your drive, hence why you see the warning that it cannot be disconnected. The most obvious would be Macrium itself, have you made sure Macrium is fully closed before asking for the safe to disconnect?

Nev.