Can't Create System Image

Greetings,

I purchased a 2TB Seagate Expandable HD and tried to do a system image from my HP laptop Windows 8.1. This is as as far as I get. Note "next" and "cancel" never become active, it just sits there. I've let it sit for over a half-hour and nothing. I X it out and try again. I was able to do a File History onto the same drive so I know it works. Any ideas?

 

System Image can be a bit finicky-have you tried system image with the hard drive in a clean condition-not with file history,or, anything else on it?
I remember having difficulties with imaging when it will only save to one place- so a clean drive should work. Otherwise try partitioning the hard drive ,and saving it on another partition
From Toms hardware

 

OK, here's what's on the drive (see pic). So I turn off File History and then just delete the FileHistory folder on the Seagate drive? The other stuff has to stay no?

I watched that video and that's what I did but never got past the "Where Do You Want To Save The Backup" point.

I actually wanted to partition this drive but chickened out. For one thing I didn't know how big to make the partitions, for another I've never partitioned before. My original plan was to have a partition for my laptop, one for my wife's, and then the remainder for general files and such. We have a lot of old TV shows and videos that I'd rather not leave on my laptop.

 

I would suggest - 4 partitions -just something like- one for each laptop,(200gb each)one for your videos,and other photos etc:,(1tb) and one for image back up (say ..500gb

 

Here's what the disk looks like (ref pic).

I'm a little uncertain on your partitions and it's undoubtedly my fault. Allow me to explain further and see if that clears anything up. I was only going to image backup the two laptops...

Partition 1. System Image my puter. (500gb?)
Partition 2. System Image wife's puter. (500gb?)
Partition 3. Misc. files, photos, videos, etc. (1tb?

Maybe I'm confused but isn't a System Image also a backup, or are those two separate things? Sorry to be a PIA here, I'm not super-puter-savvy.

 

File History
This keeps copies of your files, and regularly updates, but can fill a lot of space with multiple copies from different file backups- file history.
I tried this, and found I kept getting the "insufficient room on hard drive" ,and had to delete earlier ones to get the next 'File History backup saved.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17128/windows-8-file-history
System image
System images contain all of the info on your PC at a particular time/condition
Can be used to restore your system, with Windows, too
Using on a regular basis backs up everything at the time you backup, including windows itself-does not create multiple copies,like File History does.

 

I really don't need to automatically backup file history, I can just drag-n-drop them.

With regards to the partitioning I mentioned....

I'll probably try using this Partition Wizard http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/minitool_partition_wizard_home_edition.html

I'm a lil gun shy so I want my plan down pat before I go charging into uncharted territory.

 

Partitioning
I was away for a while (busy),and I see you have been back- Yes, if using Partition Wizarduse, take your time,and use it carefully
Just remember to create the partitions, and then click apply, and wait until Partition Wizard finishes (you will get a popup saying so)
Otherwise,--In your pc, go to bottom left corner,until almost off the screen and right click - when the list comes up, and click on disk management.
Click on disk management,and as you know it shows your disks.
Choose the new 2 tb disk
Right click on the 2 tb disk,and choose shrink partition, -as you have data in this, I would leave it there,and shrink this to 1tb.
If you want to create all the partitions with Disk management, you do the same with the no unallocated space, to form your next partition, and again to create your last partition

 

Sounds like Disk Management is easy to use...perhaps I'll try that.

I'll give it a shot today. Thanks for all your help and I hope I don't have to bother you again on this...

 

No problem - just come back, if you need more help.

 

I did it. Had to use the Wizard because I couldn't figure how to partition the unallocated space with Disk Management but I got it...thanks again.

Now I'll try a system image on it...

 

It's working...backing up now...Sweeeeeeeet!

 

Well done- As I said I have found system image a bit choosy , like I said- let us know if everything saves o.k.

 

It's taking a bit but still chugging along. I'll post back about the results either later on or tomorrow.

 

I did both laptops and now I'm going to manually move files onto the large partition. I turned off the file history and deleted that folder, way too much crap. I'll do it manually, much easier. I simple created two folders, one for each of us.

Question; if I make an updated system image, will it overwrite the old one or should I manually delete the old image first?

 

It will normally overwrite the image, no need to delete the old image.

 

Great.

I cannot thank you enough for all your help and guidance.

 

You are most welcome- Always nice to see a problem solved.