System Restore: main C: partition now missing after creating new partition.on

[Kick]

Hi,

After issues with the latest version of Macrium Reflect and moving back to the previous version, I thought I would create a new partition for my personal files. I would then need only create new backup images of the the C: partition only occasionally such as after installing new programs etc. The new data partition could be backed up more frequently as data changes on a day to day basis.

The partitioning process appeared to work smoothly and I quickly redirected my personal folders into the new P: partition. There was a bit of tidying up to do with some of the shortcuts but no problems. However I thought I would disable and then enable System Restore when all was working properly and this is when I noticed a mystery with the main C: partition.

The C: partition was initially was listed but shown as missing. I disabled System Restore on it, confirmed the change and rebooted the system. Now the partition is not shown at all. Everything else is working fine and I am not unduly worried about System Restore as I prefer to make use of my image backup files but I do find it puzzling.

It seems the partitioning process has caused the problem as I took free space from C: in order to create P:. Although I don't particularly require System Restore, is there a way I can set it up once more for the C: partition (and not one that requires changing my new P: partition)? I have attached a couple of screenshots that might be helpful. Perhaps I don't need to worry about at all but if it is something that should normally be available it might be worth getting it back if it isn't too much of a hassle.

I welcome your comments and advice, thanks and regards, Kick.View attachment 13023 View attachment 13023

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Kick, sorry but I don't understand what you mean by the (C : ) partition being missing, it is there in your first screen shot and listed in the second!

In the second screen shot, to turn system restore back on, click the configure button and you should be able to enable the protection or system restore in there.

Nev.

 

[Kick]

Hi Kick, sorry but I don't understand what you mean by the (C : ) partition being missing, it is there in your first screen shot and listed in the second!

In the second screen shot, to turn system restore back on, click the configure button and you should be able to enable the protection or system restore in there.

Nev.

Hi Nev,

It's probably me being naive and a bit confused so I am hoping this explains the situation and that you will tell me there is no problem.

Previously, the 'System Properties' window shown in the second screen shot had included an additional 'WINDOWS 'C:'' partition followed by the word 'missing' in brackets so there were 4 items listed as follows:
WINDOWS 'C:' (System)
Personal 'P:'
RECOVERY
WINDOWS 'C:' (missing)
(I have used single speech marks either side of the drive letters rather than brackets because the colon followed by a right hand bracket generates a smiley as )

My first screenshot shows the partitions since I created the new 'P:' partition - it shows 4 partitions, the unlettered 'RECOVERY' partition, the unlettered 300mb 'SYSTEM' partition (which I presumed was the one marked 'WINDOWS 'C:' (System)' in the original System Properties window), the 'WINDOWS 'C:' partition and the new 'Personal 'P'' partition.

The 'WINDOWS 'C:' (missing)' item disappeared from the 'System Properties' window after I disabled System Restore and rebooted.

I will be rather pleased if you tell me that 'WINDOWS 'C:' (System)' is actually the 'C:' partition that contains the Windows directory and the Program directory and not the unlettered 300mb 'SYSTEM' partition. If that is the case, what is the 300mb 'SYSTEM' partition and why does it not show in the System Properties window as an unlettered partition like RECOVERY?

I hope that you can understand why a non-expert like me can get confused over such things.

Thanks for your interest yet again - you 've put in quite a bit of time in helping me which is much appreciated.

Cheers and regards, Kick.

 

[Plastic Nev]

I understand you now Kick, in my case it shows as "System Reserved" on my hard drive, however it is needed and was possibly already there before you created the new partition, although as part of creating the new partition it may have been created then perhaps.
For a lot more and to save me typing, have a read of this :-

http://www.howtogeek.com/192772/what-is-the-system-reserved-partition-and-can-you-delete-it/

However, in a nutshell, it is nothing to worry about and is best to leave it alone.

Have you had a look at the configure button and managed to turn your system restore back on? If system restore is running it can save time to use it for minor system upsets, rather than going for a full system backup install.

Nev.

 

[Kick]

Hi Nev,

Thanks for that - yes I have turned System Restore back on the Windows 'C:' (System) partition drive and I have checked that a restore point has been created.

The 'System' partition did show show in the 'Disk Management' window right from when I first had the computer but I can't remember if it ever showed in the 'System Properties' window. I think what showed were two 'C:' partitions, one with 'System' in brackets (which, at the time, I assumed was the small System partition although I was a bit puzzled by why it was lettered 'C') and one with 'missing' in brackets (which I assumed was the main 'C' partition containing the Windows directory and Programs directory etc.). However after creating the new 'P' partition yesterday, there was an error message in the Event Viewer that related to System Restore so I decided to disable and then enable System restore to remove all old restore points and reset System Restore. After that, only the one 'C' partition showed in the System Properties window and as it was the one followed by '(System)' I mistakenly assumed it was the small 'System' partition and the main 'C' partition had disappeared. You have now put me right on that so thanks again. There have been no more errors in the Event Viewer.

Cheers and regards, Kick.

 

[Plastic Nev]

I am glad to have helped, and any more problems please don't hesitate to ask.
Can we mark this as solved? (Not staff here so will have to ask a staff member to do so)

Nev.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

That's vBulletin, Nev. XenForo doesn't have the Solved option.

 

[Kick]

I am glad to have helped, and any more problems please don't hesitate to ask.
Can we mark this as solved? (Not staff here so will have to ask a staff member to do so)

Nev.

Hi Nev,

Certainly you can call this solved. I'm relieved too - I wasn't unduly worried, more puzzled but less confused now - a bit more extension to my Windows 7 learning curve. I'm probably ready to have another go at Macrium Reflect 6 now.

Cheers and regards, kick.