Windows 10: Macrium Free - DVD Disc Does Not Boot To The PE Environment (Recovery)

Problem is that I can't find any SD or USB with less than 8GB any more.

 

A note: It usually is difficult to boot to the RW [ReWritable] type of CD and DVD discs, best to use only R [Recordable, once]. I've also seen difficulties trying to use DVD+R/DL [Dual Layer] discs for booting.

 

The stupid thing is I've just successfully made a bootable Dvd+ R disc using Paragon which works! It boots to the recovery console (outside of Windows) yet Macrium does not work. The Dvd just boots to Windows...and no one has been able to offer an explanation. Shame....

NB: I had to download the Windows ADK and Paragon made an ISO which I burnt to the disc. Macrium does not offer that but offers various Windows versions (I tried Windows 8/10 (I have 10), but failed to work correctly.

 

Sounds like there is something wrong with the bcd entry.

Are you using bios or EFI?

 

If there is an error why did Paragon work?? I think I have Bios

At the boot screen it says Bios EFI..but the black boot screen says it's Bios

 

If there is an error why did Paragon work??

Because the error is with the macrium media, the Paragon media builder worked correctly.

Make your own, it is easy enough. You have all the files in %systemdrive%\boot\macrium folder.

 

Okay...I'll have a look. Thanks for your time.

Gulp! I would need guidance for that. Found the folders, but no idea where to start

 

I am just downloading and creating the media now. Will have a look for the precise locations when it is done.

I expect it just requires creating an iso from the files in the boot\macrium folder there might be a sub folder called waik or sources . I will check the folder structure when I have completed the download

 

That's so kind. Thank you. I hope I don't waste a 3rd Disc through, my bin is getting rather full *chuckle

NB: The ISO Macrium created is 257,856 kb (as shown in File Explorer)

 

I have just had a look.

To avoid wasting dvds:

I suggest you create the rescue media iso, then add an entry using easybcd. See if the .iso boots off the hard drive. If it does, then the problem is with the burn or the optical media.

(If you already have the rescue.iso , just add it to your current bcd using easybcd - see 3 below)

1.Open macrium, select create boot media, click through to this bit and select "Create ISO image file" in the dropdown. Then click Finish





2.It will ask where to save the rescue.iso. I suggest just pop it in the C:\boot folder.





3.Then use easybcd to add the C:\boot\rescue.iso your current bcd. (It takes a few seconds to defrag the iso before adding the entry)






4.Restart your pc and select Neosmart ISO from the boot menu. See if that boots up ok.

To get easybcd, scroll to the bottom here and select non commercial (free) version
EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

 

If all the above do not solve, check to see if Secure Boot is ON in your BIOS, and turn OFF if it is....try again.

 

Oh...just seen what you have said. I already have Macrium in the Boot menu. I selected that when I installed the software. So, I get a choice of booting into Windows or into the Rescue environment. But that won't help me if my SSD gets corrupted and the table/boot section is gone! That happened with Acronis, I had 'Unallocated space' as a C Drive and had to get back the bootable drive with my original Windows 7 disc!

I would like a bootable DVD so if my drive gets corrupted (non bootable) Marium will sort it out. (It says 'Fix unbootable drives' so I think it would work.

Thanks for trying. I'll wait for other ideas.

NB PC is from 2012...no Secure Boot in Bios (also cannot boot from a USB)

 

Perhaps you didn't read it.

Craete the iso on your hard drive.

Boot the iso off your hard drive.

If that works, there is nothing wrong with the iso. It must therefore be a fault somewhere else- perahps the burner or the dvd.

The standard macrium boot menu is not the iso.

 

Oh okay...I'll give it go.

 

Added it as described. When I selected the new the Neosmart entry the PC rebooted and then went back to the menu to select it again (the blue screen to boot to Windows or Macrium. Failed to work!