Can not get my backup program to create a verifiable ISO

Autoplay and boot CDs under Windows
Note: The CD drive is contolled by Windows AFTER Windows starts. So, Autoplay problems could be (and often are) related to bad Windows settings, or corruption, etc.

However, when you first power up, your CD drive is controlled by your BIOS (BIOS eventually hands control to Windows.. and that's when you see the Windows start screen). So...
1. Autoplay issues can be due to any number of Windows issues (most all of which don't apply during BIOS boot when Windows isn't even running)
2. Only thing to check under Windows
> Does it recognize the CD is in the drive?
> Can you can browse file/folders on the CD using Windows Explorer
3. So... I'd defer any discussion specific to Autoplay problems you're having for now
4. Questions are:
> Does your computer recongize a CD in drive when insert the boot CD?
> Can you use Explorer to browse the CD content (ignore Autoplay issues)
> Test the CD on yours and test on other machines to see if it's bootable on any of them or problem is just your machine
> And do try creating a new boot Macrium Rescue CD using their "direct to CD" option

DriveCleanup Tool
Copy it to C:\Windows\System32 (not to any subfolder) It should appear as C:\Windows\System32\drivecleanup.exe. The utility will uninstall all the Windows generic drivers for all the currently disconnected USB storage devices. You then get a clean reinstall of the Windows drivers on reconnect. It won't affect any vendor specific drivers/software/firmware

Problems in verify CD data
May take me awhile to get back to you as need time to review and check the process you're following giving your bad checksum results. Meanwhile,
1) see if you can get ANY boot disk to work on your computer (is important to know earlier then later if any disaster strikes! that you can boot from CDs)
2) Just for heck of it... There's an old and simple tool i used to use to compare folders: AND it will give a report on file mismatches as i recall. So might try playing with QVerify to see what it says and reports about specific mismatches. Pretty simple interface too.
> Be sure to click Check Data.
> When it's done, you should be able click on its report, Ctrl-A to select ALL, Ctrl-C to copy, Ctrl-V to paste into notepad or other text document so you can save the results

Hi

I ran through a bunch of stuff this morning:

I made a new cronis rescue CD, that doesn't work, it should but doesn't. See attachments 1,2,3. It goes right past it and opens the boot menu. Once Windows is open, then it tries to open. All AutoPlay setting are correct, but AutoPlay doesn't open on desktop.

see view from Explorer. It appears the CD is good. I'm sure it's my machine, I just don't know what or where or how to fix the problem.

Then I tried to create a disk image, that failed too. See 4 and 5.
Maybe you can see something in that log that tells you anything? Other than the archive being corrupt, which tells me nothing really.

Thanks, gonna go play with QVerify. Will run that driver cleanup too.

Ughh..

Seems there are two fundamental issues to be reckoned with regardless of the topic of system vs. data backup to run....

Bootable CD device
1. I now realize your BIOS is set to USB CDROM. Do have internal CDROM device??? Or only a USB connected CD?
2. I would still test those CDs on another computer to be certain if they're bootable or not
3. Again, when you burn ISOs files they must be burned as images. Try burning Acronis ISO again. Try using freeware ImageBurn. Also, See here for a snapshot of its menu
4. I've seen cases where booting from a USB CDROM is problematic. Hope that's not true for you. So do check those CDs are really bootable on other machine as well. And do you still have any support or warranty from the store you bought it at?

Acronis Validation Fails
Also not a good sign that validation fails i think. Try installing CrystalDiskInfo. Use it to check each HD. Does it report everything as Good (with those blue icons)?
/* EDIT */
When you get the chance, probably worth trying a Macrium backup/validation as well to see if also fails. Quite frustrating, i'm sure, not to mention these problems take away time from the business of running your business

Spent some time playing with QVerify. I decided to start checking folders 1 by 1 to see if anything stuck out. I think the problem is in the Manifest folder in the winsxs folder. Poor Q darn near choked to death checking there. see attachment

This is where I think that Smartware is screwing things up. I'm not sure which one of the F buttons I pushed have to try it over and see if I can get pull it up again. Anyway it asks what the boot priority should be. It offers me the choice of that stupid virtual thing or the ATAPI. I clicked the ATAPI but it isn't changing in the BIOS to that. I don't remember if I discussed it on this forum or the WD forum but the registry values look to me like they are reversed. I can't remember how I got to where it was in the registry, can't find it now.

Today is a good day, kinda slow in the shop. Hard to sell high end kitchens in this economy. Good day to fool with this thing, before I actually have to put it to work and it dies.

Thanks for the snapshots. They help

Re:Booting from CD
Looks like your BIOS settings are wrong. You're inserting the boot CDs into your internal ATAPI DVD drive but your BIOS First Boot Device is looking for an external USB CD/DVD drive to boot from)

See this link again.
> F2 to enter BIOS setup
> Then look at changing setting for First Boot Device. Change it to ATAPI DVD (or some similar name as this is your internal CD/DVD drive. It should be among the First Boot Device options you will see)
> Also remember to save BIOS settings before exiting BIOS (should be F10 per the info in link i found)

As to your backups
More later when i have more time to post. But while i'm still concerned if Acronis' or Macrium' backup can't validate their own backup archive, i see a problem with what you're trying to do so yourself (in this case using "Qverify").

Your Windows system is running and system files always changing. I see you're trying to compare a backup of Windows files to your currently running Windows system files on drive C. That won't work as C:\Windows is constantly changing.

For now, suggest you try
1) Run a Macrium system backup also and set it to validate. Acronis and Macrium are the ones who know how to validate and compare your changing Windows files (these backup programs actually work with a Windows service to do this task. You can't compare running Windows system files on your own)
2) You can still go ahead and use QVerify to check your personal data files

3) Also, did you try CrystalDiskInfo tool? Do they show you're drives are OK? I'm thinking they are.

more later...

Hi

My CrystalDisk check came back all blue on both drives.

I have been messing around all morning trying to change that USB/BIOS thing. I'm not having much luck. This morning I ran the drivercleanup tool you gave me. (attached results) While I had the external HD disconnected I tried changing the BIOS setting. Even though Hard Disk and ATAPI were the only choices; when I went into setup the BIOS still say USB CD ROM (by the way I hope that's not considered shouting??)
I also noticed that every time, and I mean every time I go back into boot set up it's highlighted as being in "Hard Disk", not what it was previously set at. Yep I'm clicking enter after picking ATAPI, and when it asks if I want to save changes, I say yes, it still does the same thing.

I have this hammer in my shop, it's called a "dead blow hammer":evil:, I wonder if that would fix all of this.

Quick questions

1. I'm trying to find your machine on the Acer support site here. But it doesn't list by Acer motherboard. Is this a custom machine or is it an Acer model PC? (if so, what's the model?)

2.

I'm misunderstanding.
> As i understand from earlier post, you said you can't save Boot order changes to BIOS? And your First Boot Device is stuck to USB CDROM, yes?
> What is stuck to Hard Disk? (below is your BIOS screen shot from earlier)

p.s. "USB CDROM" is all acronyms so it's not shouting

/* Edit */
And any chance you see anything on the Acer flash screen or in BIOS setup that looks like the BIOS version number??

Unfortunately no one really likes ACERs because of their quality issues here, hence, I don't have the ability to check the BIOS it self.

Anyway, some BIOS do have option to 'Disable Booting from USB' if yours have one please enable it.

Set DVD/CD as your first booting device, and disable booting from second, third, fourth device etc. etc. (don't forget to set boot priority as CD/DVD ROM).

Now to your issue that it probably isn't saving settings when you do set DVD/CD as boot device; are you entering the BIOS with right privileges? Some systems do have option of setting user or administrator access to BIOS itself, in such cases you can't change values etc. with user access.

Lastly, if all above doesn't apply, I will look into updating the BIOS itself (I'm at work so I didn't have chance to read your complete thread, but I will do so whenever I get the time after work). So please check for BIOS update availability on ACER's site for your computer.

If you have never done BIOS update before, and or is uncomfortable about it, please do let us know, because if not done rightly it can screw up things pretty badly.

@LookingAround

It's an Acer Aspire E700, Desktop, the only stuff I can find from them is for the laptop. The only thing that didn't come with it was the graphics card (PCI Express ATI Radeon x1650) and I think the little dweeb that put it in also put a RAID controller in too. I can't think of any reason it would have came on there standard as cheap as Acer is.
Maybe I didn't include this shot see below. Every time I go back it is reset like that. I can pick ATAPI click enter to accept, but it's always on HARD DISK when I go back there.
I read someplace that I can click on pause when that black flash screen with the BIOS information comes up, haven't tried yet but will.

@Archean
I did a BIOS update. I actually thought that was going to fix the problem but it didn't. For as much as I HATE Acer, they do make updating the BIOS easy, unless of course they found out it was easy and changed it:haha:

How would you get into the BIOS to do anything without administrative privilege? Where would that be set up? I'm the only one who ever touches this machine. How do I find out if I can disable the USB? That sounds like what I'm looking for, if I can accomplish that, then maybe this little sucker will work the way it's supposed to.

A few things

1. fyi... I did find Acer E700 Desktop support site (see attached jpg) but Acer has little useful online user manual on it for your model. Arghh

2. fyi. something i'll mention here but you can look into later (tho important, it's not needed for the immediate tasks at hand)... Do you have Windows Vista reinstallation DVDs?? If not, appears your Acer has an eRecovery Manager program on it which should allow you burn Windows installation DVDs
> You should have these DVDs if your HD ever fails / they should be needed
> You'd want to create and burn these DVDs before your HD ever failed
> Tho to use them you'll need to be able to first boot from CD/DVD!!

3. Any chance your machine has eSettings manager, as I also found this link (for a different model) about an alternate way to set boot priority

4. Per your last post: I think what you're seeing on that last screenshot with Hard Disk as top choice is a non-problem. That screen is simply Acer's list of choices. What's important is the actual First Boot Deivce you see set on the earlier screen and if you can't change it. We need it to say First Boot Device (and stay) = ATAPI DVD so you can boot from CD/DVD

5. @Archean: Thanks for that additional info. Though about trying to disable USB support in BIOS.... Question: I think that's only OK to try if OP isn't using a USB mouse/keyboard??? As I think then we'd also lose mouse/keyboard to change BIOS settings?
@justgeorge: Do you have a USB or PS/2 mouse/keyboard??

Sorry for double post, but i wanted to add (and highlight) a couple more (different) things

1. Re: bootable CD/DVD

Don't know why all the problems with your BIOS settings. And IMO (In My Opinion) you need to be sure to have a bootable CD/DVD drive if ever needed whether to boot from Backup Recovery CDs, or Windows reinstall CDs, or the many other types of Rescue CDs out there to help when you have problems with your computer.. So just an alternate thought, another way if you choose (or forced) to get past this issue, is actually just getting a USB DVD and trying seeing you can boot from CD/DVD just using a USB DVD if need be. Just in case this becomes the best or cost effective option (i think they run about $50USD)

2. As to your backup issues
> I suggest you try a Macrium System backup and also have it validate the backup. If Macrium's own validation also fails, there are also another big set of issues (even on top of your said your System Restore not working either nor your bootable Cd/DVD ugh!)

/* edit */
As someone on these forums once aptly stated "Who needs a hobby when you have a PC?"

Hello LA

I was referring to disabling 'Boot from USB Device' and it doesn't stop your KB / Mouse from working; in fact that is the setting I always keep on all of my computers (all in all I use 3 computers, 1 PC at home + 1 at work + my notebook)

@LookinAround

Miracle of miracles, one of the other forums I subscribe to actually found a "repair manual " for this PC. Just started looking at it a few minutes ago. It's 85 pages an took awhile to download.

The problem precisely. Yes this has the eRecovery, that takes it back to day 1. I also have that set of 3 disk from Microsoft; Vista, Vista SP1 & SP2. Like you said they are of little use if I can't boot from CD. And no, I can not get Macrium to make a verifiable backup iamge. That is how I got started on this mess in the first place. It wasn't until after I installed the external Hd I discovered it was too late to just recover to a good image. I didn't have one & I couldn't create one.

I found the exact or close to the same one that came with this PC. It's $30 . It's not USB, so, it would have to be exchanged for the one in there. I don't want to waste $30 if it's just a BIOS issue. Also right now all of my USB ports are tied up.

@Archean

Actually I was just about to ask that same question, because yes, I do Have USB mouse and keyboard, etc. How do I find this "magic" place to disable that?


I had a go around with the support staff at WD and they said to just disable the VCD, and that should take care of it. It didn't, as you can see even with the damn thing unistalled it still wants to boot from USB. So I was just abut to ask about that question LookinAround posed.

Hmmm, well a few more comments / opinions

1. just fyi.. I don't think your problems are due to the internal/external hard drives (they seem to be working without errors)

2. You said you have a Macrium boot option? Have you tried running Macrium backup/verify directly from the Macrium boot option (and NOT when Macrium is running under Windows) - as can;t help but wonder if Windows is corrupt (and/or problems are a side affect of Smartware while running under Windows). So try running Macrium directly from boot option (as Windows and Smartware won't be running then for that case)

3. Note your BIOS problem (can't change boot order) is still a mystery. That's not due to Windows or Smartware (Windows isn't even started yet. Your machine is controlled by BIOS for bootup)

I am absolutely at loss why you don't have any option allowing you to disable 'Boot from USB Device (or something similar). I have one machine running AWARD and the other two running Phoenix BIOS and both have this option.

I will dig around further on this and will get back to you, hopefully with something useful.

@ LookinAround
I ran that back up/verify before booting into windows. Yeah it passed. Now, before you get too excited (like I did) I then rebooted and ran Macrium within Windows. I pulled up the backup and checked to see if still verified, nope. So, I'm thinking, maybe I forgot to click on the verify after running backup. I reboot back into Macrium boot and run it again, this time making sure I check verify upon completion. Yeah it passed. So I boot back into Windows and pull that backup out to verify. The thing failed. How the hell can that be? Notice on try 2 failure it's a checksum failure. The first one just says it failed.
Now I'm really pissed off so I run the Acronis for WD. That sucker failed too. :suspiciou
At least it gave me some kind of report to look at. Not that I understand it, but I got it. See attachments. On the Acronis; I don't know what '0-0' or '1-1' are, I assume they are the PSQ and Data drives? The '0-0' is evidently what failed because it terminated and gave an error code.
I'm going t see if I can boot using the Acronis boot CD and see if thats makes a difference. I also just remember I didn't turn off the Norton Anti-Virus, that may have affected the outcome too.

@Archean.
I finally got the USB turned off, I didn't realize all I had to do was click on the dumb thing to open the window with that option. I still can't open a CD off of the desktop, it will be interesting to see how the booting from the Acronis boot cd works.
I've added some files

BIOS
Hey-hey! Sounds like you finally have your boot from CD/DVD problem sorted out then? :grinthumb

Backups
Actually, your backup results when you boot directly into the backup tool is just what i suspected - and hoped! (in fact, i'm relieved. As if they also failed on direct boot i'd be totally stumped!)

Your problem is when you run the backup software under Windows. Acronis / Macrium failing to verify their backup under Windows (but work on direct boot) PLUS your sytem restore and other Windows related issues led me to guess one or both of these are the problem (and is why i had you check boot direct into backup tool actually works)

1. WD Systemware is interfering with Windows and the backups and/or
2. Your Windows installation is corrupt
> Windows must be able "help" backup software do its job to backup/verify while Windows is also running because it's trying to backup/verify a "moving target" (not the case when you boot directly into the tool, Windows isn't running and your disk image is static)
> Also your System Restore failures also weren't a good sign

-> You could first try just disabling VCD if that should help
->Or i found this instructions from WD to uninstall Smartware

Tho i suspect you may need to do a Vista repair (if not bite the bullet and have to do a full, clean reinstall) but we should talk before you do either of those

/* EDIT */
I just re-read your last post. And while i think might have misinterpreted some what you said (i first thought you said you ran a whole new backup/verify under Windows vs. i think you just tried to revalidate the archive you created when did the direct boot?) but still i think the conclusion's the same: i.e. things don't work when running under Windows and the follow-up steps are still the same

LookinAround
Well I'm glad you understand this cause I sure as heck don't. Actually I did both. I tried to pull up the image I ran before booting into windows, that did fail.
Then I ran one from both Macrium and Acronis while in windows and they both failed as well. I should have kept the log files but I cleaned out everything except 1 image from Macrium and 1 image from Acronis which are on the external HD.

As to the Smartware, I didn't install the software. I found out that if I click on the Smartware drive (J) icon a folder opens that has the software in it. (attachment) I guess that's there so you can add it if you want or remove it if you want.

Been doing some reading this morning on the Acronis forum on corrupt archives and causes. It suggest running Memtest86+. I did add 2 sticks of ram, but that was months ago. Anyway it said it could be a problem with the RAM. I'm willing to test anything to get this sucker straightened out.

I bought that Spotmau repair CD months ago but found I couldn't use it because I couldn't boot from CD. (Boy do I feel like an *** on that one, I could have fixed that USB thing months ago too. I just didn't know how to.) Would it wise to try to do a repair from that or wait???
George

We've all been there one way or another and learn from our experience(s)

I've never heard of Spotmau, myself. Plus i'm generally skeptic (leery?) of most of those types of products (esp. commercial ones) but that's me. Also, re: a repair - i had in mind to use Windows Vista CD to do the repair (see below)

They're right. Bad memory could also cause backup validation to fail. BUT my guess is: if it was a memory problem you'd get validation failures whether booted into Windows or not (vs. only when running under Windows)
> Of course, it doesn't hurt to check it if you want

My best guess tho: Given sum of all your different and varied problems i'm really thinking is best to attempt a Windows repair (tho i'm not optimistic, but who knows!) and then (if still a problem) do a clean reinstall to rule out the very real question and possibility of Windows / software corruption on your machine.

Well.. actually, i first thought you said you did another backup/verify under Windows (which failed). Now i understand you just tried to verify the backup created under direct boot, but regardless of which, all failures only occur when Windows is running (which is now the common denominator). I think ending up with a clean reinstall is going to be the shortest and least painful distance to ruling out all the possible things that might be wrong or corrupt under your current Windows

Here's a couple links you can look through about your Windows Vista CDs.
> What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista?
> And this tutorial here

A couple extra tips before you should do a clean Windows reinstall
> You now have a good backup archive (created under direct boot) that includes a copy of your data but to be extra careful, i'd still just copy/paste your personal data to the external drive
> Make sure you know how to reinstall things you use/need. Look through all your installed programs (Ctl Panel->Programs and Features). Make sure you have installation source (CD or online download) for what you need/care about. ALSO be sure you have activation numbers for paid products (you'll need to activate them again)
> Also useful to backup your drivers as well. See How to backup your drivers (and reinstall them later if and when needed!)

I happened to see this Macrium KB last night. I'm guessing you've already read it?

For what it's worth, just a bit more food for thought...

1. While they talk about disk, memory or motherboard all being possible cause for the backup/verify problem (and they can be) my inclination is if any of those were the case you should be having the backup/verify problem whether Windows is running or not. (But Acronis and Macrium still work correctly when you direct boot? - In which case, it makes me think it's Windows or something running under windows related)

2. They mention antivirus - I never heard of that but is worth a shot. if you disconnect from your network, turn off any real-time protection on antivirus / antispyware and give it a test

3. And it might be worth a quick look at your Windows System Event Logs if any clues. Post a copy of recent Windows Event Log entries. See here BUT NOTE: When you run VEW, rt click it and select Run as Administrator (since you're running Vista)