How to recover system image from Windows 7 using the backup & restore app
-
I realize its not the best way, my dilemma at the time was I had to get the machine working lol fast. So once I miraculosy got the vmware to xen server done, i immediately saved the updated image (with database files I need). I could really care less about the OS/App. But the data if I can get it back whether by system image or just for the files I would be golden again.
-
Has the database and files changed since you imported this VM into XenServer?
If not do you have the original export you made from ESXi, and if you do, just import the file again into XS and power it on.
-
Where did you store the image?
That file should be browseable by another Windows machine.
-
As an alternative you can attach the virtual hard drive to a working VM on the same host, and browse the file system.
This way you could extract the data from the drive without the "broken" VM needing to be online.
-
The file is stored on a NAS/External HDD that I just used "Disk Management" to attach the VHD to my system, and I see the drive but the folder is blank which just made my heart sink.
-
So if you want to browse the virtual hard drive.
- Create a new VM
- Attach the virtual hard drive from the failed VM (with it powered off) to your new VM
- Power on the new VM.
- Browse the drive as if it were physical, and copy any data off.
-
@krisleslie said in How to recover system image from Windows 7 using the backup & restore app:
The file is stored on a NAS/External HDD that I just used "Disk Management" to attach the VHD to my system, and I see the drive but the folder is blank which just made my heart sink.
Umm... can you explain how your XenServer infrastructure is setup.
Are all of your VM's VHD's stored on the NAS?
-
Dustin, remember I use the native SSD that is on that host. Its just my temporary host. I have a Dell Power Edge T110 still running VMWare which I will moving from.
-
My Xen Server isn't in RAID or anything, its just a singular SSD using local storage pool.
-
Oh this is the single installation.
-
What I would try is power off the VM that isn't working (saying repair windows).
Create a new VM (power it off then), attach the virtual disk from the broken VM to this one.
Power up this new VM that now has two disks, and pull any data off of it.
-
Ok I'm going to make a clone of the working windows 7 vm I have and then "attach" the VHD to it. Now the fun of waiting for the clone.
-
Cloning is done machine boots up fine. So At this point, I need to detach the hdd
-
@krisleslie said in How to recover system image from Windows 7 using the backup & restore app:
Cloning is done machine boots up fine. So At this point, I need to detach the hdd
Wait what?
I think you have it backwards.
-
If there is a broken VM, shut it down.
Do you have TeamViewer... I'd rather just help you so no additional damage is done?
-
ok no problem
I'm still nooberish to Xen and still a baby for visualizing but I get some of the concepts! Yep still got team viewer i'll inbox you bro. If your at spiceworld expect plenty of beer from me haha -
Just send me a PM with the details here on MC.
-
Any luck?
-
No luck, plus I got sided tracked.
the VHD files he has were created from Windows Backup not from the hypervisor.
He's going to import what he has from the original import and see if that works.
-
so the backup had no data in it?
I didn't know windows backup would create VHD files.
