I hope this discussion doesn't go out of topic, but since we're talking about system restore's problems and alternative backup solutions (and installations), I don't understand why Windows 10 doesn't give an option for a slow/deep formatting like Windows 7 (and previous versions) does.
So what would be a free and good utility for checking bad sectors before installation and is it included in the Windows' command prompt?
Best would be a program that comes from the maker of particular disk. There's Seatools for Seagate. Download Seagate SeaTools for Windows - MajorGeeks
For Western digital Download Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools - MajorGeeks and Download WD Drive Utilities - MajorGeeks etc.
Than you have Download DiskSmartView - MajorGeeks and Download Hard Disk Sentinel - MajorGeeks
@meridius thanks for keeping us up to date on everything you are doing.
Also I agree with testing the HDD on your test computer using the manufacturers program.
--- As you are seeing various problems with Macrium Reflect, you could run into similar issues with other programs so please verify up-front any basic issues first such as the HDD.
In post #45 "the spare laptop isn't perfect hardware wise as it does not have a working battery and the screen was replaced. There may be a hardware fault I need to check which is possibly leading to these problems but that is why it is a spare!" I suspect those 2 issues wouldn't cause what you are seeing but the possibility of a hardware fault could be important and at this time the HDD looks like it should be followed up on.
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but if you try Macrium Reflect on one of your good working computers I believe it won't cause any problems installing and creating a normal full system image backup but please make sure to turn on Verify image or backup file directly after creation as mentioned in post #39. If you do that, post back before going any further.
Last edited by MeAndMyComputer; 26 May 2018 at 08:33.
I am interested in any feedback from Macrium users with Windows 10 build 1803. It appears that there have been some issues with this although I am not sure this has been entirely resolved in the latest version v7.1.3196_reflect_setup_free_x64 which is the one I have been testing with.
Macrium Reflect and 1803 update...
https://www.google.com/search?ei=z-U....0.MRXKLHxPsXs
From what I can see Macrium is still the best choice if you can make it work for you.
I forgot to mention last night. I think my HDD is corrupt. Even on a clean install it would not repair in chkdsk so when I find another HDD I will start this process again hopefully with more concrete results.
The WD Acronis free product is very limited and I only found an option to wipe the whole HDD. Therefore I would not recommend it unless you are prepared to pay for an upgrade.
From what I can see for the free products it is mainly Macrium vs Aomei with an understanding that different builds of Windows 10 can have an impact on these products: Macrium not letting me fix boot - 1803 update
The installation of a backup system is not a potentially risk free process and we may be expected to work through problems related to the backup system itself.
It's too early to assume that quoted thread says anything definitive about Macrium. More that the user has a problem with the SSD not being recognised.
I used another HDD for testing as I think the first one was defective. The results I am now getting with Macrium are much more positive. I have completed an image and restore, from boot, without error and no chksdk failures.
Now I need to understand and learn the application a little more and see if I should just use it for big backups before a new build or otherwise.
I would like to know how Macrium interacts with restore points in Windows, for example after a Macrium restore does it invalidate existing Windows restore points? I also need to understand the value of recovery options such as are in 'Reset this PC' within Windows.
I guess it is better to have two options for backups in the event of a problem i.e. Windows and a third party application but operating without conflicts...
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