Testing an Image

The first number in the TYPE column should be 07(assuming NTFS file system, else 0B) and the first number in the BOOT column should be 80. Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button before exiting.

If that doesn't get it recognized, there is a possibility that the Registry key that labels the drives is corrupt and contains left-over information that may be confusing XXclone. That key is at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices

When you open it, you should see an entry for each dos device detected by Windows. There should also be a corresponding Volume entry to match each dos entry. Then there will be a default entry. You may have several other entries listed if you have had usb devices plugged in at times.

If it appears that you have more entries than may be justified, you can delete all of them and reboot to allow Windows to re-detect all of your drives and clean up the registry key for you. It's a safe procedure that I have done many times when my usb drives get labeled wrongly. You can dump the entire key and it will be recreated or you can just delete all the drive info and leave the default. I've done it both ways without any problems. Windows will recreate as needed.

Nevertheless, always export a copy of any key before deleting and set a System Restore Point just in case. Belt and suspenders. (As a side note: I generally rename keys by placing an X after their name rather than deleting them. That makes it easier to get back to original form if need be. Then I delete them when all goes well.)

Other than that, I can't believe the drive is defective but I would still run the manufacturers diagnostics on it. I would also format it while in a dos box under windows so as to get a full format and report as opposed to the quick format that Windows offers.

 

Sorry Dude but I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing.
Have got to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices alright and I'm seeing some (about 2 dozen) entries labelled '\??\Volume' etc etc and then I have six entries as '\DosDevices --- which I think are the entries you are talking about. The six Devices are listed as A, C, D, E, F, G, which I think is self explanatory. The only one of those I do not have on PC is 'G' so this is what I should delete, yes ??

 

That's correct. Delete all entries shown in that key Leaving only the default value string or rename the entire key to MountedDevicesX

As for the G: drive, you likely had one at one time or it wouldn't be there, possibly a USB flash drive.

You must reboot for effect after the deletion or renaming.

 

Sorry again Dude. You mean ALL entries i.e. including the ones listed as \??\Volume, yes ??.
The default value is showing as 'Value not set'

 

Yes, all entries.

 

PHEW !! That took some courage but crossed fingers and cleaned out the mounted devices but, unfortunately, still no improvement but no harm done. Probably not doing something right but don't seem to be able to do a format in a 'DOS Box' -- is that the same as the 'Command Prompt' in windows ?. If it is, then I'm not sure of the commands to use - it doesn't seem to like FDISK. Anyway, I had formatted the partition in Windows using a full format (as opposed to quick format) which I imagine might be the same as the DOS format.
Have tried moving on to manufacturers (Samsung) disk diagnosis but am getting bogged down there as well. Their instructions relate to making, then booting from, their FDD software but I don't have a FDD. They also list an ISO file for CD ROM (is that supposed to do same thing as floppy ?) but can't get that to work.
Have emailed Samsung for guidance but am not holding my breath about getting a reply. So that's the story so far.

 

Now the registry key involved will not be in question. It should have equal numbers of dos device versus volume entries.

Yes. However, you have accomplished the same thing by the method you used. I thought to do it the dos way to possibly get some useful report when it concluded. I doubt it would have made any difference.

That's odd since you reported that the MountedDevices registry key was listing an A: drive. Take a look at that key again and see what drives are listed now.

Yes, it would be an ISO file of a bootable CD with the diagnostics on it. You would download that and use your CD burner software to create the bootable CD. How you do that depends on what burner software you have but essentially you would select to create a CD from an image file, then direct the software to the ISO image that you downloaded. When the process completes, you can leave that CD in your drive bay and reboot the computer. You may need to set your BIOS to so that the CD drive is listed first in the boot sequence. It will then boot to the diagnostics disk and allow you to check the drive for any failures. Be careful not to select anything destructive since you have data on the drive. You'll be warned if you select something of that nature.

I would also suggest that you post this issue to the XXclone forum since you may have discovered some bug that they have already found a cure for or would offer to help you find one.

Like you, I doubt Samsung will respond, especially if their diagnostics disk give you a clean bill. Reinstalling the drive from scratch, using their install procedure might take care of the issue but you would lose all present data on the drive.

 

Yes, I can confirm that registry has equal Dos Devices and Volume entries and just to explain that I used to have 'A' drive but it went bust so took it out. The cleaned out registry does not now show it.
Will now try to follow your instructions re the Samsung diagnostics CD.
Many thanks for all so far.

 

Hi Dude,
Just to say that am not having much luck with Samsung diagnostic tool. Have burnt the disc o.k. and it boots up but half way through trying to run the diagnosis it just flips me back to the starting point. I suspect, rightly or wrongly, dicky software. Can do no more unless or until I hear back from their Help people.
I got no meaningful help from XXClone either - just a one-liner suggesting I format the drive. Told them that I had done this but have heard nothing from them since.
So, I feel that I have reached a dead end, for time being at least, and will give up with XXclone unless I hear back from them or Samsung. I might go back and try the Macrium software again and will keep you posted if any further progress. Meantime, many, many thanks for your efforts, patience and understanding.
Graham (Lydeard)

 

OK Graham, Thanks for the update. I understand your position and agree.

I suspect the drive has some obscure problem since the diagnostic software won't complete its check. Perhaps deleting all partitions and setting it up anew would fix things but that's for you to decide. Maybe a rainy day project in your future.

All the best, Dude

 

Update:

I found This Thread that matches your problem. It would seem that the solution it finds would apply to your condition as well. I think we had already arrived at the same conclusion but this adds a little more credibility.

Regards, Dude

 

Thanks for that Dude. I had read the thread the other day but good of you to point it out. It all got a bit complicated for me but it sounds as though XXclone are going to try a couple of fixes so if I haven't achieved anything by other means I will probably try them again in the future.
Regards

 

Perhaps you missed the main point about the final solution on that thread.

The fix turned out to be completely wiping all partitions on the drive and reinstalling it anew:

And Kan Yabumoto responded with:

Kan Yabumoto is one of the developers of XXclone and very knowledgeable. He also developed Xxcopy which is another fine product that I use often.

Regards, Dude