thanks Bert.
The system image was made by Windows so if that is not making a good backup it sucks!I tried restoring the system image with Easeus backup software which I have but it does not recognize the image made by windows
cant boot the drive at all so cant get to safe mode .
I think the lesson for me is not to make any more system images via windows - from what I have been reading many users have had similar experiences , they really need to improve their system imaging .
my only option at this point seems to be to get a new HD and reinstall win 8.1 pro but I will get Macrium .
thanks for all your suggestions , appreciate it
bala
Bala,
First you can't restore an image with any other software than the software which made it. There may be some. The native Windows backup is less than ideal, but it is way better than the way it used to be. You must remember that Windows loves to copy other apps and incorporate them into their product. For instance, back when Roxio GoBack (system restore on steroids), was around there was no such thing as a bad restore. At least if you "went back" it worked 50 times out of 50. With Windows, System Restore, is a guessing game.
Where you went wrong (if I may say so) is not making a Backup Boot disk the moment you made an image. This is the only way to really get to your backup image properly in this situation. You can boot from the disk and restore that way. I always install an OS, get everything the way I want it, then image it and label it "Original Install." It's nice to know I can go all the way back to the beginning. All other installs after that, you can get to via the boot disk. The nice thing about Macrium, is it lets you make a boot disk and instal WinPE (Windows Pre-Environment) on the BIOS, so it comes up during bootup. Some of these boot disks allow you to install many other tools you can use when you boot from it.
What do you mean exactly when you say you cannot bootup. What happens when you turn it off and turn it back on.? That should have nothing to do with Windows as CMOS will control that. You should be able to boot to safe mode.
Another thing you could try is going to another computer, go to the backup program, and it should let you create a backup boot disk. Almost all backup programs now will practically yell at you to create a boot disk. With Macrium, any boot disk will work on all computers. Not sure about Windows.
Indy's idea is a good one. You may also try moving the disk to another computer and just temporarily connect a SATA cable and power cable and you should be able to access any files from it.
