problem restoring system image from backup DVD

[pdxrain]

I am really confused; HELP, please!

I have an x61s. I did a factory restore from the hidden partition, then all the system updates and Windows updates. All seemed good, so I used the Vista backup utility to completely backup on 2 DVDs (USB DVD RW). It burned 2 DVDs and all seemed fine. When I explore the DVDs I see image directories with catalog files, etc...

I wanted to test the backup process, so I tried a few days later to completely restore the image from the DVD. Here lies the problem. If I use the Lenovo Restore/Recover utility, I am repeatedly told to put the disk labeled "Final C" and reselect CD/DVD; no luck with either disk. When I go into setup with F8 and select Repair, I am told (something like) a device is unavailable, and I cannot run repair.

What am I doing wrong? Can I not restore the whole image from DVD?

Thanks for any help!

Vince

[DAH]

I am really confused; HELP, please!

I have an x61s. I did a factory restore from the hidden partition, then all the system updates and Windows updates. All seemed good, so I used the Vista backup utility to completely backup on 2 DVDs (USB DVD RW). It burned 2 DVDs and all seemed fine. When I explore the DVDs I see image directories with catalog files, etc...

I wanted to test the backup process, so I tried a few days later to completely restore the image from the DVD. Here lies the problem. If I use the Lenovo Restore/Recover utility, I am repeatedly told to put the disk labeled "Final C" and reselect CD/DVD; no luck with either disk. When I go into setup with F8 and select Repair, I am told (something like) a device is unavailable, and I cannot run repair.

What am I doing wrong? Can I not restore the whole image from DVD?

Thanks for any help!

Vince

I am not sure I am following you here, but it sounds like you use the Vista Backup program to backup your files, and the Lenovo program to attempt to restore your computer. Two different programs.... The Lenovo program does not use the same format as the Vista program. I would not expect the Lenovo program to be able to use another programs data set.

[RaysMD]

in order to use the vista restore/backup utility you need to have a vista install dvd which will allow you to boot into a recovery console.

[pdxrain]

Unless I misunderstand DAH and RaysMD, one cannot, then, backup an image of the computer and restore it with Vista as it comes packaged with the Thinkpad.

DAH, I understand that Lenovo Rescue/REcovery and Vista are different. Rescue & recovery offers the option to restore from a backup rather than a factory restore. BUT I don't find a backup option in Rescue&Recovery. So, with what backup utility, if not Vista's, is one supposed to have backed up the computer?

RaysMD, you state that one needs a Vista install DVD. I made a set of recover DVDs (that one-time option Vista allows), but the computer did not come with a Vista install DVD. Am I out of luck?


Thanks.

[DAH]

Start (menu) | All Programs | ThinkVantage | Rescue and Recovery (icon is a life preserver)| When you click on this, you should be presented with an option to backup your computer. If this is not on your computer you'll need to install it.

There are two different Rescue and Recovery programs on your computer. One is in the hidden partition that you can access by pressing a special key during the boot process. This is the one that allows you to restore among other things. There should also be a second Rescue and Recovery program in the above location that enables you take a image of your computer and store it on your computer, on dvds, or on a network, or a usb device.

Hope that helps.

[Wiz]

Unless I misunderstand DAH and RaysMD, one cannot, then, backup an image of the computer and restore it with Vista as it comes packaged with the Thinkpad.

You can use the Vista backup and restore center to create a complete backup (something you have already done) and also to do a complete restore. To restore the whole computer you could either boot from a Vista DVD or press F8 when the OS start to boot (just after the BIOS screen disappear and before you see the Vista logo while booting). When you press F8 you should have an advanced boot options menu and then select "repair your computer". If you start the Vista "backup and restore center" and click "Restore computer" you should see a dialogbox with a link and if you click on the link you should find the complete instructions how to restore your computer. If you use the Vista backup it's recommended to have a Vista DVD as well in case your computer doesn't boot at all or if you have a hardisk failure and replace the harddisk. In that case the F8 before boot will not work and then booting from a Vista DVD is the only option to restore.

Another option is to use rescue and recovery, but as already said you cannot create a backup with the Vista backup and restore with rescue and recovery or the other way around. You use either rescue and recovery or the Vista backup for both operations.

[pdxrain]

Thank you very much! Now the Lenovo process makes sense to me (I had only been restarting and hitting the magic blue button). I have now used Rescue and Recovery to make an image backup; in fact, when I selected backup to CD/DVD, it first made a recovery startup disk for me...

It took about 80 minutes to make an image backup.

I am still confused about the Vista backup issue...

I am contemplating using Acronis True Image, or similar software. This might belong in another forum, but if there are Vista users who have had experience with True Image on their Thinkpad, I would welcome any advice.

Thanks again for the replies.

Vince

[pdxrain]

Thank you Wiz (your reply must have posted while I composed my previous one.) So the error message I'm getting, when I hit F8 and Repair, is seemingly something I should have Lenovo look at- I can't run Repair (the machine is currently backing up now, so I cannot repeat the exact message, but it was some kind of device or configuration problem which prevented me from running repair.)

Thanks again.

[DAH]

Thank you very much! Now the Lenovo process makes sense to me (I had only been restarting and hitting the magic blue button). I have now used Rescue and Recovery to make an image backup; in fact, when I selected backup to CD/DVD, it first made a recovery startup disk for me...

It took about 80 minutes to make an image backup.

I am still confused about the Vista backup issue...

I am contemplating using Acronis True Image, or similar software. This might belong in another forum, but if there are Vista users who have had experience with True Image on their Thinkpad, I would welcome any advice.

Thanks again for the replies.

Vince

What works best really depends on a number of things, I've used Acronis True Image and it is very powerful. But it's not always the best solution. IMHO you should contact Lenovo and ask for a set of Rescue and Recovery DVD for your machine. This set from Lenovo will allow you to restore your machine to an out of box condition no matter what. Even if you replace the hard drive, or you experience a hard drive failure and have to replace the drive.

Your machine is setup to use Rescue and Recovery, you've paid for the program already and I believe you might as well learn how to use it until you can articulate a reason why it will not work for you.

If you save an image of your system to your hard drive, this will enable a few more options to restore your system when you press that magic button at boot time. As you have experience, Rescue and Recovery can work, when other software fails, apparently the F8 option doesn't work for you at the moment, and that is the main reason other programs are not my first choice.