Hi,

I don't mean to be sound critical; but, I am having a tough time trying to understand restore options for my system.

I have a RAID1 setup (two (2) 500 GB drives) that recently became corrupted and unbootable.

I have worked with the original hard drives, and have not been able to repair them.

I replaced the original drives with two (2) 1TB drives. I ran the RAID setup for the system and configured them as a single RAID1 volume.

I used the setup disk that came with my Gateway computer to install Vista to the computer.

I have an old SPD image backup that I was able to verify. (The newer image backups would not verify.)

I booted to the SPD .iso CD and restored the verified image. Based upon several posts that I read on this forum, I did not check the options to restore any of the following from my backup image: Backed-up MBR, Generic Windows MBR, Signature, Hidden Tracks, or Hardware Independent Restore.

When the restore was completed, I restarted Vista (without the SPD .iso disk in the CD drive). It was peculiar that I was asked to enter my password twice (I was pretty sure the first entry was correct). Then a message was displayed on the screen that said something to the effect that my desktop was being configured. The system continued to process until a final error message was displayed. That message stated: "rundll32.exe  Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access them." I finally had to do a hard shut down.

What should I have done differently on the restore? The hard drives are different (new drives and larger capacity); but, none of the other system hardware has changed (such as processor or graphics card).

What do I need to do now to restore the backup image again... this time correctly? Do I need to reformat the RAID1 volume to erase any of the previous restore data?

Thanks

Jeff

Are you now restoring from a working backup. So I should ignore the other posts?

You do not need to install any OS before restoring a backup. The backup image contains the OS, filesystem and files. When you boot the SP CD all you need to do is set create the partition on the blank disk. If you set it to "Perfect match" it will be the same size as the original drive. For some people, it is easier to do this, boot into the restore Windows system and then extend the size of the Vista partition using the Disk Manager partition re-size option. Others just create the larger partition and restore to it. Doing that requires a few changes at boot time.

Jeff:

I booted to the SPD .iso CD and restored the verified image. Based upon several posts that I read on this forum, I did not check the options to restore any of the following from my backup image: Backed-up MBR, Generic Windows MBR, Signature, Hidden Tracks, or Hardware Independent Restore.

I would not do another restore for now - I don't think you need to.

When you logged in, did you see a "Preparing your desktop...." message? If so, follow the instructions I posted here:
http://forum.storagecraft.com/Community/forums/p/1958/9504.aspx#9504

FTTester:

Are you now restoring from a working backup. So I should ignore the other posts?

I am restoring from a backup image from May 2008. It is one of the original SPD backups. Please help me with my previous questions. I very badly need the more current backup images restored if at all possible. I am especially interested in finding a way to restore the Outlook1.pst file from the most current backup image. I need to at least get my accounting software operational so that I can cut payroll. (My payroll files were backed up to two different types of media.) That is the reason I need to get at least an old backup restored.

FTTester:

You do not need to install any OS before restoring a backup. The backup image contains the OS, filesystem and files. When you boot the SP CD all you need to do is set create the partition on the blank disk. If you set it to "Perfect match" it will be the same size as the original drive. For some people, it is easier to do this, boot into the restore Windows system and then extend the size of the Vista partition using the Disk Manager partition re-size option. Others just create the larger partition and restore to it. Doing that requires a few changes at boot time.

I located the much older SPD backup image (May 2008) after I installed the new hard drives and loaded Vista onto those drives. My question concerns that scenario. Vista was installed, and then I restored the May 2008 backup without those options defined below being checked.

FTTester:

Jeff:

I booted to the SPD .iso CD and restored the verified image. Based upon several posts that I read on this forum, I did not check the options to restore any of the following from my backup image: Backed-up MBR, Generic Windows MBR, Signature, Hidden Tracks, or Hardware Independent Restore.

That's fine, in part because you pre-installed Vista on the machine. For most people, when restoring to a blank disk they want to restore all those parts from the backup image (MBR, signature, Hidden tracks). In other words, use the default settings and you'll be fine.

FTTester:

I would not do another restore for now - I don't think you need to..

FTTester:

When you logged in, did you see a "Preparing your desktop...." message? If so, follow the instructions I posted here:
http://forum.storagecraft.com/Community/forums/p/1958/9504.aspx#9504.

I don't mean to sound dense; but, the following procedure does not step me through the process exactly. When someone is trying to follow the instructions exactly as written, it gets confusing when things are different than written.:

1.       Boot up Windows

2.       When “Preparing your desktop….” Message is shown, Ctrl+Alt+del

3.       Select Task Manager

4.       Taskmanager à File à Start process à Explorer
You can then check which drive letter is assigned to the Windows volume (e.g. “N:”), and, which volume has been assigned drive letter “C:”

5.       Taskmanager à File à Start process à regedit

6.       Locate the registry key: HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

7.       Edit DosDevice entries*
Rename \DosDevices\C: to \DosDevices\Z:
Rename \DosDevices\N: to \DosDevices\C:

8.       Restart the PC

 I am fine getting to the Task Manager. When Taskmanager starts, I believe the procedure above is telling me to click on the File drop down, then click on Start and then Explorer. When I click on File I am given the following two options: "New Task (Run...)" and "Exit Task Manager". I figured it must be "New Task (Run...). I then searched for Explorer although it wasn't in the default directory.

(The Windows volume is "D:". There is no drive letter "C:")

When I attempt to run Regedit, I receive the following error message: "The specified path does not exist. D:\Windows\regedit.exe Check the path, and try again."

At this point, I cannot get Regedit to run, either from Task Manager, or from the Start command line.

Would it be easier at this point in time to just reformat the hard drives in the RAID1 volume and restore from the backup again?

Sorry to make this difficult.... it isn't very easy on this end either.

Jeff

Jeff:

(The Windows volume is "D:". There is no drive letter "C:")

That looks like the problem - or at least part of the issue. I need to leave the office for a couple of hours.

Did you try:

Task Manager --> New Task (Run..) --> "regedit"

I'll check back in when I get back if you need more help.

I left an update on one of the other posts about running scanpst against the PST file.

FTTester:

That looks like the problem - or at least part of the issue. I need to leave the office for a couple of hours.

Did you try:

Task Manager --> New Task (Run..) --> "regedit"

Yes, I also tried just regedit. It also results in the same error message. The Windows folder is under drive D:. I'm not really sure what is going on with the regedit command... it is located in the D: drive, and it should execute.

I am close to deleting the RAID1 volume, removing one of the hard drives, and starting over again with the old backup image. I would prefer not to spend that time if you can help me work through this issue; but, I am wondering if that wouldn't simplify this process.

FTTester:

I'll check back in when I get back if you need more help.

I really could use your help.

FTTester:

I left an update on one of the other posts about running scanpst against the PST file.

As I explained in the other thread, I can't figure out how to run scanpst agains the Outlook1.pst file. I can locate the file in the backup image using SPD's explorer utility. I can use the copy command from with the explorer utility. But, when I try to paste the file to a local hard drive, I get the error message I referenced in that previous post (0X8007025D) which references ill-formed data. Is there any type of utility (similar to Norton) that can be run against a file when I get that error message. That is really the most promising option in terms of getting the .pst and a few other files to be recovered. (FWIW... I have been able to use the SPD explorer utility to copy various other configuration files from the backup image and paste them into a folder on the local hard drive. It appears that the problem only appears with larger files.)

Thanks again for your help. I know I have asked a lot of questions; but, a lot hasn't gone right the last several days and I'm under the gun to get this system running again.

Jeff

Jeff,

I could be wrong, but I think the method being suggested with scanpst didn't require the file to be copied out. You would just mount the image and run scanpst on the file (the PST file remains in the mounted drive). If it fixes it, then copy it out.

For regedit not running, does it make a difference if you start a Command Prompt from the Task Manager and run the program directly? From the Task Manager, File >> New Task (Run...) >> type in cmd and press OK. Then run the following command: d:\windows\regedit

Or, if you Browse to the program file and try to run it? It should put the entire path into the "Open" box (D:\Windows\regedit.exe, for example).

If you can't do the MountedDevices fix using this method, it can also be done when booted to the Vista DVD's Repair Mode. More steps are involved, though.

Ok, I'm back.

Restoring to a single disk is not going to help. The RAID is not the issue. The "rundll32.exe" issue is, I think in part a problem with the registry setting, and potential a corruption in the filesystem. While I check into the registrry problem, I'd suggest you run chkdsk against the restored volume. There are a few ways you can do that:

1. Vista install disk (Recovery console --> command prompt, type chkdsk /f /r C: (or whatever driver letter the Vista volume has)
2. ShadowProtect CD --> SP Explorer --> X:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe --> type chkdsk /f /r C:
3. ShadowProtect CD --> Disk Map --> Select Vista disk --> Right-mouse-click and select "Check disk" (I can't remember the exact name)

Whichever option you choose, make a copy of the chkdsk output and post back here.

To Use Scanpst.exe against the PST file:

1. Boot up another computer with Windows installed
2. If the Windows install has Office w/Outlook, then it should already have Scanpst.exe (otherwise I think you can probably download it). I'm not sure if ScanPST.exe changed with each version of Office/Outlook, but I'm going to assume not. Either way, if the version of Office matches the one of the backup image then that is the main thing. The location of ScanPST.exe varies, depending on the version of Outlook (see list below).
3. Connect external USB drive with backup images on it
4. From the filemanager, browse to the backup image and select it
5. Right-mouse-click, and from the context menu, select Mount. Mount as writeable volume and note the drive letter assigned to it (e.g. N:)
6. Double-click Scanpast.exe and browse to the location of the PST file on the mounted backup file and click open
7. Click the Start button and Scanpst.exe will analyse the file
8. Scanpst.exe will then give you an option to make a backup of the PST file before trying to correct it. Select that option.
9. Run the Repair option of Scanpst.exe
10. It will create a log file with the same name as the PST file and in the same location as the PST file. You can post that here if you like.

32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\scanpst.exe
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\scanpst.exe

Outlook 2003

32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1003\scanpst.exe

64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1033\scanpst.exe

Outlook 2002/XP

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\1033\scanpst.exe

Hi MudCrab,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question.

MudCrab:

I could be wrong, but I think the method being suggested with scanpst didn't require the file to be copied out. You would just mount the image and run scanpst on the file (the PST file remains in the mounted drive). If it fixes it, then copy it out.

Between you and FTTester, I believe I understand the process. I will give it an attempt this morning.

MudCrab:

For regedit not running, does it make a difference if you start a Command Prompt from the Task Manager and run the program directly? From the Task Manager, File >> New Task (Run...) >> type in cmd and press OK. Then run the following command: d:\windows\regedit

Or, if you Browse to the program file and try to run it? It should put the entire path into the "Open" box (D:\Windows\regedit.exe, for example).

If you can't do the MountedDevices fix using this method, it can also be done when booted to the Vista DVD's Repair Mode. More steps are involved, though.

I am not an expert at this, and sometimes think I know just enough about the basics of the operating system to get by. It's issues like this that really frustrate me. As a side note, I am confused about why the restore of the backup restored the boot drive to D:; the original configuration had the boot drive as C:.

Regarding regedit, I have tried various methods of getting the program to start. Each way results in the same error message ("The specified path does not exist."). Just as a check, while in Taskmanager, I can type New Task (Run...), and execute another program in the same directory (D:\Windows) and the program runs. For example, I type in "notepad", and Notepad immediately starts up. No matter how I enter regedit, I get the same error message.

Thanks again for your suggestions. A little sleep and I'm ready to get back at this.

Jeff

Hi FTTester,

Thanks for the response last night. I thought I might have missed you. I appreciate you responding back to me.

FTTester:

Restoring to a single disk is not going to help. The RAID is not the issue. The "rundll32.exe" issue is, I think in part a problem with the registry setting, and potential a corruption in the filesystem. While I check into the registrry problem, I'd suggest you run chkdsk against the restored volume. There are a few ways you can do that:

1. Vista install disk (Recovery console --> command prompt, type chkdsk /f /r C: (or whatever driver letter the Vista volume has)
2. ShadowProtect CD --> SP Explorer --> X:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe --> type chkdsk /f /r C:
3. ShadowProtect CD --> Disk Map --> Select Vista disk --> Right-mouse-click and select "Check disk" (I can't remember the exact name)

Whichever option you choose, make a copy of the chkdsk output and post back here.

I am very willing to run chkdsk; but, I still have a few basic questions that are really bugging me. Why is the boot drive D:? The boot drive on the system from which the backup image was made was C:. Secondly, I am really puzzled by the ability to run other programs located in the D:\Windows folder from either Taskmanager of the Start line in Vista (for example Explorer and Notepad), yet not be able to run regedit. What would cause that being that the path IS correct?

I don't know if it makes any difference; but, when I installed Vista to the new RAID1 hard drives, I used the same user name, password, and computer name. I don't know for certain at this point in time; but, I believe that Vista was installed to C: at that time. Why is there no C: drive now?

FTTester:

To Use Scanpst.exe against the PST file:

1. Boot up another computer with Windows installed
2. If the Windows install has Office w/Outlook, then it should already have Scanpst.exe (otherwise I think you can probably download it). I'm not sure if ScanPST.exe changed with each version of Office/Outlook, but I'm going to assume not. Either way, if the version of Office matches the one of the backup image then that is the main thing. The location of ScanPST.exe varies, depending on the version of Outlook (see list below).
3. Connect external USB drive with backup images on it
4. From the filemanager, browse to the backup image and select it
5. Right-mouse-click, and from the context menu, select Mount. Mount as writeable volume and note the drive letter assigned to it (e.g. N:)
6. Double-click Scanpast.exe and browse to the location of the PST file on the mounted backup file and click open
7. Click the Start button and Scanpst.exe will analyse the file
8. Scanpst.exe will then give you an option to make a backup of the PST file before trying to correct it. Select that option.
9. Run the Repair option of Scanpst.exe
10. It will create a log file with the same name as the PST file and in the same location as the PST file. You can post that here if you like.

Hi FTTester,

I thought I should post some additional information which may, or may not, be helpful.

I know that you told me that restoring the backup image wouldn't solve this problem; but, I wanted to make sure I got a clear picture of what was happening. I also thought I would try a couple of different restore options.

I restored the same SPD backup image as yesterday. The restore worked flawlessly.

Once the restore was complete, and I was still in the SPD environment (i.e. the one created with the .iso CD), I used the file browser. I could see the hard drive (RAID1 Volume) on the system. The restore had installed the boot drive files and folders to C:... which I thought was good news. (I had not checked this previously.)

I then restarted Vista by closing out of the SPD environment and removing the CD.

Immediately after entering my password, I saw the configuring desktop message, so I hit ctrl-alt-del. I then started Explorer. I was able to open Windows Explorer from there. I found that there was no longer a drive C:. All of the contents that were on drive C: immediately after the restore were now on drive D:. I also still cannot get regedit to execute... I get the same invalid path message.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what is causing the change in drive letters from C: to D: at start-up. Could it have something to do with the RAID volume?

When I first worked at setting the computer up last year, I trialed a program called Boot-It NG. The program was originally installed so that I could use it as a boot manager and for a utilty to create and resize partitions. Because of some discomfort with Boot-It, and start-up problems with Vista, I ended up doing a complete reinstall of Vista. (The timeframe for this reinstall was several months before the backup that I have restored.) I will contact Terabyte (Boot-It) to see if the problem that I am now having could be related to something left over from that initial install.

Is any of this making sense?

Thanks again.

Jeff  

Jeff:

When I first worked at setting the computer up last year, I trialed a program called Boot-It NG. The program was originally installed so that I could use it as a boot manager and for a utilty to create and resize partitions. Because of some discomfort with Boot-It, and start-up problems with Vista, I ended up doing a complete reinstall of Vista. (The timeframe for this reinstall was several months before the backup that I have restored.) I will contact Terabyte (Boot-It) to see if the problem that I am now having could be related to something left over from that initial install.

Yes, that is important. Most of these boot managers insert their own MBR boot code, and sometimes add data to the hidden tracks. If you make a backup, that data is recorded in the backup image. That is one of the reasons you have the options to restore those data structures or not. However, re-installing Vista should overwrite that MBR boot code and thereby make the data in the hidden tracks irrelevant. If you make a backup of the newly installed Vista system, you should be fine. There's a guy on the forum that uses BING a lot and rates it highly. I can't remember his name at the moment, but he might be able suggest if I have missed anything relating to BING.

The drive letter assignment is made by Windows at boot up. With Vista there are a few steps to the process, and that is why the restore of a Vista partition can create some unusual side effects. It also one of the reasons it makes it difficult to write a step by step restore guide that works for everyone.

Just to make sure I'm not assuming to much. Is there/was there, only one partition on the system, i.e. Vista with drive letter "C:"?

• What was the partition layout on the original system (one partition with Vista, drive letter C:, or more than one Windows)?
• What was the partition layout on the restored system? Did you still have the Vista partition on there that you installed from the Vista install disk?

Regarding the regedit issue, do you have Vista 64 by any chance? (I can't remember if you said or not). One thing you can try to do, is to boot into Safe Mode and try to start regedit from there.

Hi Again,

I am having trouble with the following instructions:

FTTester:

To Use Scanpst.exe against the PST file:

1. Boot up another computer with Windows installed
2. If the Windows install has Office w/Outlook, then it should already have Scanpst.exe (otherwise I think you can probably download it). I'm not sure if ScanPST.exe changed with each version of Office/Outlook, but I'm going to assume not. Either way, if the version of Office matches the one of the backup image then that is the main thing. The location of ScanPST.exe varies, depending on the version of Outlook (see list below).
3. Connect external USB drive with backup images on it
4. From the filemanager, browse to the backup image and select it
5. Right-mouse-click, and from the context menu, select Mount. Mount as writeable volume and note the drive letter assigned to it (e.g. N:)
6. Double-click Scanpast.exe and browse to the location of the PST file on the mounted backup file and click open
7. Click the Start button and Scanpst.exe will analyse the file
8. Scanpst.exe will then give you an option to make a backup of the PST file before trying to correct it. Select that option.
9. Run the Repair option of Scanpst.exe
10. It will create a log file with the same name as the PST file and in the same location as the PST file. You can post that here if you like.

Maybe there is a new version of SPD that has a different look to it? If not, the following are my questions concerning the items above.

Or, do I need to install Shadow Protect on the system to which the external hard drive is attached?

Item 1. Does this refer to booting up Vista normally, or using the SPD .iso disk?

Item 4. This item refers to "filemanager". Which filemanager is this referring to? Windows Explorer does not offer any options for mounting that drive. If this refers to "explore backup image" from within the Shadow Protect screen, then I can proceed.

Item 5. If this refers to mounting the drive from within Shadow Protect, then I can mount the drive; but, it will not allow me to do so by right-clicking. And to make it writeable, I would think that means to uncheck the option to make it read-only. When I try to view the mounted volume (L: in this case) with SPD's "file browser"  there is a lot of disk access. I let it continue for about 25 minutes before I clicked on another drive letter to stop the disk access to the external drive. Should that amount of access time be expected? Should I have let it continue?

Item 6. I did find scanpst.exe in the backup image. (It was not found on the system that I am using for troubleshooting because Outlook is not installed.) I copied the file from the backup image to the root directory of the local computer. But, when I double click on scanpst.exe, I get an error message that says something to the effect that scanpst can't run in this manner because of a side by side installation error (or something similar - I will make note of it exactly if that is important).

This is as far as I have gotten.

Sorry for the lengthy posts; but, I am doing my best to follow the recommendations... it just doesn't seem to be easy.

Jeff

Hi FTTester,

To answer your questions...

The original partition layout was as follows: C: for Vista/Boot  D: for Gateway Recovery (I think)  K: for Data  and L: for Multimedia Files

When I installed the new drives and loaded Vista, I set the RAID1 volume as a single partition (C:) After restoring the backup image, C: is gone completely, and there is only D: (in addition to any external hard drives I have attached via USB and the removable media slots). When I restored the image, I used an image that I had made as a backup for the root drive only (C:). I have not tried to restore the backup images for the data or multimedia files. I have copied those already using a file utility, so even if I have problems with SPD, I still have current copies. C: is the real deal breaker.

I am running Vista 32. I will try booting into safe mode to see if this makes a difference.

Thanks again.

Jeff

Jeff:

Maybe there is a new version of SPD that has a different look to it? If not, the following are my questions concerning the items above.

Or, do I need to install Shadow Protect on the system to which the external hard drive is attached?

Item 1. Does this refer to booting up Vista normally, or using the SPD .iso disk?

Item 4. This item refers to "filemanager". Which filemanager is this referring to? Windows Explorer does not offer any options for mounting that drive. If this refers to "explore backup image" from within the Shadow Protect screen, then I can proceed.

Item 5. If this refers to mounting the drive from within Shadow Protect, then I can mount the drive; but, it will not allow me to do so by right-clicking. And to make it writeable, I would think that means to uncheck the option to make it read-only. When I try to view the mounted volume (L: in this case) with SPD's "file browser"  there is a lot of disk access. I let it continue for about 25 minutes before I clicked on another drive letter to stop the disk access to the external drive. Should that amount of access time be expected? Should I have let it continue?

Yes, you need to boot up the PC normally, i.e. no ShadowProtect CD. You need to have ShadowProtect installed in order to mount the backup files. The options to mount a backup file ("Mount..." and "Quick mount..") will then be available from Windows Explorer. Use the "Mount...", rather than the "Quick Mount..." option. That will bring up a mount wizard that will let you configure the mount as a writeable volume. Mount it as a driver letter, not within a folder.

Jeff:

Item 6. I did find scanpst.exe in the backup image. (It was not found on the system that I am using for troubleshooting because Outlook is not installed.) I copied the file from the backup image to the root directory of the local computer. But, when I double click on scanpst.exe, I get an error message that says something to the effect that scanpst can't run in this manner because of a side by side installation error (or something similar - I will make note of it exactly if that is important).

Jeff:

The original partition layout was as follows: C: for Vista/Boot  D: for Gateway Recovery (I think)  K: for Data  and L: for Multimedia Files

When I installed the new drives and loaded Vista, I set the RAID1 volume as a single partition (C:) After restoring the backup image, C: is gone completely, and there is only D: (in addition to any external hard drives I have attached via USB and the removable media slots). When I restored the image, I used an image that I had made as a backup for the root drive only (C:). I have not tried to restore the backup images for the data or multimedia files. I have copied those already using a file utility, so even if I have problems with SPD, I still have current copies. C: is the real deal breaker.

That will explain why you have the problem loading the desktop. I'm surprised there wasn't an issue with the BCD. What Gateway model was it?