Macrium trashed my backup drive. Another Bkup software?

[skyglider]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.

BACKGROUND:
On the trashed backup HDD, I had copied the profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird from my Win10 PC to transfer to my new PC. Regular file copies, not MRF backups. Prior to the incident above, both profiles copied fine from the backup HDD to my new PC. The profile for Thunderbird was huge so it took a long time to be copied but it copied perfectly. So I know that the HDD and the docking station were both fine.

SUMMARY:
MRF worked perfectly on my previous Win10 PC, including browsing image backups to extract files. I know that MRF was pulled by Macrium and is no longer supported. But I never figured that a backup HDD could become unallocated by MRF running under Win11 Home 24H2.

REPLACEMENT BACKUP SOFTWARE:
Macrium Reflect is now apparently a subscription model. I won't use subscription software including Adobe products.

I'm considering switching to Easeus ToDo Free or Paid $80 version. But in research I see that there is Hasleo backup which is totally free (not even a pay for version). Hasleo Bkup has good reviews.

Any recommendations for a MRF replacement? I want to do whole drive image backups, not just file copy backups. And be able to extract files from the image backups. Thanks.

 

[BobKnDP]

I'm using the paid version of Macrium Reflect 8 on my Windows 11 24H2 machines.

(I haven't decided whether I'll ever go with the Reflect X subscription. I'd have been likelier to switch if they hadn't claimed that the switch to a subscription model was requested by their users. I don't have the facts, but I believe that's nonsense.)

So far, I haven't replicated your issue.

I have no idea what may have caused it, but a quick Web search suggests that it's not a common occurrence.

I'm not trying to persuade you to stay with Reflect Free, but you may be scaring other users unnecessarily.

 

[Austinian]

I'm using the paid version of Macrium Reflect 8 on my Windows 11 24H2 machines.

(I haven't decided whether I'll ever go with the Reflect X subscription. I'd have been likelier to switch if they hadn't claimed that the switch to a subscription model was requested by their users. I don't have the facts, but I believe that's nonsense.)

Agreed. They had a change of management.

Macrium Appoints New CEO

Global backup solutions leader Macrium names Dave Joyce as new CEO, signaling a focus on growth and innovation in data protection and cyber resilience.

www.macrium.com

So far, I haven't replicated your issue.

I have no idea what may have caused it, but a quick Web search suggests that it's not a common occurrence.

I'm not trying to persuade you to stay with Reflect Free, but you may be scaring other users unnecessarily.

I've used Macrium Reflect Free on multiple PCs running various Windows versions many, many times for quite a few years, and have never lost any data while using MRF for anything.

I'm certainly not going to abandon MRF unless I personally have a problem with it.

 

[drj3]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.

Are you sure the Macrium had anything to do with the "Unallocated" drive. I would worry about the USB3 docking station.

I had one of my USB3 DAS enclosures cause two of my hard drives to become "Unallocated" (a 16 TB and 20 TB drive). The first time this happened I thought the drive had failed. I used Disk Drill to recover the data and then I used Diskgenius to recover the original partitions. Nothing was lost and as soon as I recovered the partitions the drive worked perfectly.

I was ready to have Seagate replace the drive (5 year warranty), when a few weeks later the same thing happened to a new 20 TB drive. Again Diskgenius recovered the partitions and there was no problem with the drive. I replaced the DAS and both drives have worked perfectly since the DAS replacement.

BACKGROUND:
On the trashed backup HDD, I had copied the profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird from my Win10 PC to transfer to my new PC. Regular file copies, not MRF backups. Prior to the incident above, both profiles copied fine from the backup HDD to my new PC. The profile for Thunderbird was huge so it took a long time to be copied but it copied perfectly. So I know that the HDD and the docking station were both fine.

SUMMARY:
MRF worked perfectly on my previous Win10 PC, including browsing image backups to extract files. I know that MRF was pulled by Macrium and is no longer supported. But I never figured that a backup HDD could become unallocated by MRF running under Win11 Home 24H2.

REPLACEMENT BACKUP SOFTWARE:
Macrium Reflect is now apparently a subscription model. I won't use subscription software including Adobe products.

I'm considering switching to Easeus ToDo Free or Paid $80 version. But in research I see that there is Hasleo backup which is totally free (not even a pay for version). Hasleo Bkup has good reviews.

Any recommendations for a MRF replacement? I want to do whole drive image backups, not just file copy backups. And be able to extract files from the image backups. Thanks.

 

[Robert Zanatta]

Maybe do a burn-in test on your new system and make sure it doesn't have any issues.

 

[XiaoDeer]

Any recommendations for a MRF replacement? I want to do whole drive image backups, not just file copy backups. And be able to extract files from the image backups. Thanks.

Well, you've just smacked into an inherent problem with the imaging approach.

I believe the best solution involves a combination of imaging and file synchronization.

But it all starts with good organization of your files. My system drive is for the OS and applications. I try to keep all of "my data" on a separate drive. And that includes my Thunderbird profile with all my contacts and saved emails.

I image the system drive from time time. And use file synchronization software frequently for all my data.

Even if the image of the system drive is damaged I can reconstitute a working system by downloading all the appropriate software. That might take a day but at least none of my data is lost.

Actually, I maintain a file by file copy of the system drive too. It can't be restored to a bootable system but... just in case I need a DLL or some settings/config file from C:\Users\xxxxxx\AppData\...

All of the file-by-file work is done by Robocopy invoked by some scripts to semi-automate the process.

 

[Eric Carlson]

I back up my data with Free File Sync (I donated). It makes exact copied of all your specified files and folders, and even has versioning. You don't need any special software to access the backups, since they are just file copies. I backup to more than one external drive, and keep them disconnected when I'm not backing up.

If you want to backup your OS, you will need something additional, but I can just reinstall my OS and apps. And I have many other computers if my main one crashes.

 

[skyglider]

I'm not trying to persuade you to stay with Reflect Free, but you may be scaring other users unnecessarily.

Not trying to scare anyone into not using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF). Just reported what happened to me to see if anyone else chimes in that they had a working HDD become unallocated even if they didn't know why it happened.

Plus that I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement for MRF since MRF is no longer supported and has changed to a subscription model with the perpetual license paid for version priced at about $170 - $180. Pretty steep.

I think EaseUs Todo's perpetual license goes for about $80 which is more palatable for me.

Also wondering if anyone here is using the free Hasleo backup software and what their opinion of it is. Some folks have touted it to be a Macrium Reflect replacement since the free version of MR is no longer supported.

 

[skyglider]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.

Are you sure the Macrium had anything to do with the "Unallocated" drive. I would worry about the USB3 docking station.

I'm 99.9% sure that Macrium did it. Because I copied the profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird from my Win10 PC to the Backup HDD in the docking station. The Tbird profile is quite large at 28.9 GB so it took a long time to be copied to the HDD in the docking station. ..... Later, I copied the Firefox and Tbird profiles from the HDD to my new Win11 PC. Again, the Tbird profile took a long time to be copied. Both profiles copied perfectly.

The clincher that Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) made the HDD become unallocated is that MRF hung/ froze while the red LED on the docking station kept flashing. I had to kill MRF using Task Manager. Did a restart and examining the HDD, it was unallocated. Since MRF hung/froze, it pretty much clinches to me that it was the culprit.

I had one of my USB3 DAS enclosures cause two of my hard drives to become "Unallocated" (a 16 TB and 20 TB drive). The first time this happened I thought the drive had failed. I used Disk Drill to recover the data and then I used Diskgenius to recover the original partitions. Nothing was lost and as soon as I recovered the partitions the drive worked perfectly.

I was ready to have Seagate replace the drive (5 year warranty), when a few weeks later the same thing happened to a new 20 TB drive. Again Diskgenius recovered the partitions and there was no problem with the drive. I replaced the DAS and both drives have worked perfectly since the DAS replacement.

That is really good info about Diskgenius being able to recover your unallocated drives. I might try it. Was that the free version or the paid version?

BACKGROUND:
On the trashed backup HDD, I had copied the profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird from my Win10 PC to transfer to my new PC. Regular file copies, not MRF backups. Prior to the incident above, both profiles copied fine from the backup HDD to my new PC. The profile for Thunderbird was huge so it took a long time to be copied but it copied perfectly. So I know that the HDD and the docking station were both fine.

SUMMARY:
MRF worked perfectly on my previous Win10 PC, including browsing image backups to extract files. I know that MRF was pulled by Macrium and is no longer supported. But I never figured that a backup HDD could become unallocated by MRF running under Win11 Home 24H2.

REPLACEMENT BACKUP SOFTWARE:
Macrium Reflect is now apparently a subscription model. I won't use subscription software including Adobe products.

I'm considering switching to Easeus ToDo Free or Paid $80 version. But in research I see that there is Hasleo backup which is totally free (not even a pay for version). Hasleo Bkup has good reviews.

Any recommendations for a MRF replacement? I want to do whole drive image backups, not just file copy backups. And be able to extract files from the image backups. Thanks.

 

[skyglider]

Maybe do a burn-in test on your new system and make sure it doesn't have any issues.

I'm 99.9% sure Reflect Free caused the backup drive to become allocated since the drive was fine before I used MRF, then MRF hung while I was trying to extract a file from an image backup and immediately I found that the drive had become unallocated.

Truthfully, I'm not one bit worried that my new system caused the problem. Too much of a coincidence that MRF hung working with the drive and immediately after that the drive was found to be unallocated.

 

[skyglider]

Any recommendations for a MRF replacement? I want to do whole drive image backups, not just file copy backups. And be able to extract files from the image backups. Thanks.

Well, you've just smacked into an inherent problem with the imaging approach.

I believe the best solution involves a combination of imaging and file synchronization.

But it all starts with good organization of your files. My system drive is for the OS and applications. I try to keep all of "my data" on a separate drive. And that includes my Thunderbird profile with all my contacts and saved emails.

I image the system drive from time time. And use file synchronization software frequently for all my data.

Even if the image of the system drive is damaged I can reconstitute a working system by downloading all the appropriate software. That might take a day but at least none of my data is lost.

Actually, I maintain a file by file copy of the system drive too. It can't be restored to a bootable system but... just in case I need a DLL or some settings/config file from C:\Users\xxxxxx\AppData\...

All of the file-by-file work is done by Robocopy invoked by some scripts to semi-automate the process.

I have a real-time backup of my data drive always running so my data has up to the second backup. I also image the data drive periodically. I only image backup my system drive though. But I do alternate the image backups to two different drives for safety.

 

[skyglider]

I back up my data with Free File Sync (I donated). It makes exact copied of all your specified files and folders, and even has versioning. You don't need any special software to access the backups, since they are just file copies. I backup to more than one external drive, and keep them disconnected when I'm not backing up.
If you want to backup your OS, you will need something additional, but I can just reinstall my OS and apps. And I have many other computers if my main one crashes.

I did try backing up using FFS first but I found that real-time backup of my data drive is much easier. No action on my part once I setup the real-time backup. I just boot up and use my PC and the backup happens automagically. The real-time backup is exact copies of all of my data like FFS does. No special software to access is needed.

Of course the real-time backup is ONLY in case my D drive fails. In that case I have up to the second backup of all of my data. ..... Protection against mistakes, infections and burglary are with my image backups of my D data drive.

 

[ggeinec]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.
.... snipped ....

Disconcerting and puzzling . . . Have you searched the Macrium Reflect support\community forums to see if anyone else there has run into this same problem you have had?

 

[drj3]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.

Are you sure the Macrium had anything to do with the "Unallocated" drive. I would worry about the USB3 docking station.

I'm 99.9% sure that Macrium did it. Because I copied the profiles for Firefox and Thunderbird from my Win10 PC to the Backup HDD in the docking station. The Tbird profile is quite large at 28.9 GB so it took a long time to be copied to the HDD in the docking station. ..... Later, I copied the Firefox and Tbird profiles from the HDD to my new Win11 PC. Again, the Tbird profile took a long time to be copied. Both profiles copied perfectly.

The clincher that Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) made the HDD become unallocated is that MRF hung/ froze while the red LED on the docking station kept flashing.

That may just be a result of the hard drive no longer being able to be accessed while Macrium was attempting to write or read from the drive. While I image it is possible for Macrium or another program to cause a disk to become unallocated, I think it is more likely to be a hardware issue that just happened while running the program. I have used Macrium (paid version) since 2010 and have it currently on 5 computers and it has always worked perfectly. However, I will not purchase the new yearly renewal version.

I had to kill MRF using Task Manager. Did a restart and examining the HDD, it was unallocated. Since MRF hung/froze, it pretty much clinches to me that it was the culprit.

When my 16 GB disk became "Unallocated", I was doing post processing of images with LR 6.14 when suddenly LR indicated that the folder could not be found. I looked at the PC list of drives and the drive was not there. Device Manager showed the drive as working normally and Disk Management showed the disk as "Unallocated".

I first recovered all the files (34 hours) with Disk Drill and then recovered the partition with Diskgenius. Instead of immediately contacting Seagate for a replacement drive, I decided to carefully go through the files on the drive and remove any personal information and overwrite those files. I was in no hurry to replace the drive since everything was now backed up.

I had purchased a new 20 TB drive which I had just started using when it suddenly became "unallocated". I recovered the partitions and immediately removed that DAS (it was one of two DAS) and replaced it. Both drives have now been in the new DAS for 4 months without any problems or errors.

I had one of my USB3 DAS enclosures cause two of my hard drives to become "Unallocated" (a 16 TB and 20 TB drive). The first time this happened I thought the drive had failed. I used Disk Drill to recover the data and then I used Diskgenius to recover the original partitions. Nothing was lost and as soon as I recovered the partitions the drive worked perfectly.

I was ready to have Seagate replace the drive (5 year warranty), when a few weeks later the same thing happened to a new 20 TB drive. Again Diskgenius recovered the partitions and there was no problem with the drive. I replaced the DAS and both drives have worked perfectly since the DAS replacement.

That is really good info about Diskgenius being able to recover your unallocated drives. I might try it. Was that the free version or the paid version?

It was the paid version. I also purchased Disk Drill with lifetime upgrades. I have 116 TB of hard drives in two DAS and 26 TB on my desktop. Unfortunately, it is likely that I will need one or both of the programs at some point in the future.

--
drj3

 

[CAcreeks]

I back up my data with Free File Sync (I donated). It makes exact copied of all your specified files and folders, and even has versioning. You don't need any special software to access the backups, since they are just file copies. I backup to more than one external drive, and keep them disconnected when I'm not backing up.
If you want to backup your OS, you will need something additional, but I can just reinstall my OS and apps. And I have many other computers if my main one crashes.

I did try backing up using FFS first but I found that real-time backup of my data drive is much easier. No action on my part once I setup the real-time backup. I just boot up and use my PC and the backup happens automagically. The real-time backup is exact copies of all of my data like FFS does. No special software to access is needed.

Of course the real-time backup is ONLY in case my D drive fails. In that case I have up to the second backup of all of my data. ..... Protection against mistakes, infections and burglary are with my image backups of my D data drive.

What software do you use that implements real-time backup?

Couldn't find any specific product on the web. Sorry, I don't have anything helpful to offer regarding your Macrium issue.

My wife abandoned Macrium because it was too slow, and now uses FFS. Only takes a few minutes or less, after she's done working. Of course HDD to SSD transition helped.

 

[BobKnDP]

I'm not trying to persuade you to stay with Reflect Free, but you may be scaring other users unnecessarily.

Not trying to scare anyone into not using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF). Just reported what happened to me to see if anyone else chimes in that they had a working HDD become unallocated even if they didn't know why it happened.

If I had to guess, I'd say that your experience was rare. Possibly unique.

Plus that I'm looking for recommendations for a replacement for MRF since MRF is no longer supported and has changed to a subscription model with the perpetual license paid for version priced at about $170 - $180. Pretty steep.

(snip)

I'm sorry that I can't help with a recommendation. I formerly used Acronis True Image (paid), but dropped it after it transmogrified into a comprehensive PC protection app ("Cyber Protect Home Office").

My personal preference at the moment is for a drive imaging program, which I'll run at my discretion. Software that is intended to protect me from any and all eventualities, I don't want.

 

[MyReality]

Why aren't you using Window 10 or 11 backup utility and letting it do scheduled backups at night while you are sleeping.? I do.

 

[skyglider]

MACRIUM REFLECT FREE TRASHED MY BACKUP HDD:
Just built a new PC running Win11 Home, 24H2. I had backed up my previous Win10 Home PC's system drive using Macrium Reflect Free (MRF) to a HDD in a USB3 docking station.

On my new PC, I tried to browse the MRF system image file to extract a data file, MRF hung the PC but I could see the drive activity LED on the docking station flashing continuously. I had to use Win11's Task Manager to quit MRF. Then the PC was working normally. I rebooted the PC just for safety's sake since it had been hung by MRF.

Then I accessed the backup drive, to my horror it showed as "Unallocated". Everything on that backup drive is lost. I do alternate my image backups using 2 HDDs so I still have previous backups but it's unsettling to say the least regarding my copy of MRF on Win11.

.... snipped ....

Disconcerting and puzzling . . . Have you searched the Macrium Reflect support\community forums to see if anyone else there has run into this same problem you have had?

Did not search the Reflect forums specifically.

 

[skyglider]

drj3 wrote:t was the culprit.
When my 16 GB disk became "Unallocated", I was doing post processing of images with LR 6.14 when suddenly LR indicated that the folder could not be found. I looked at the PC list of drives and the drive was not there. Device Manager showed the drive as working normally and Disk Management showed the disk as "Unallocated".

I first recovered all the files (34 hours) with Disk Drill and then recovered the partition with Diskgenius. Instead of immediately contacting Seagate for a replacement drive, I decided to carefully go through the files on the drive and remove any personal information and overwrite those files. I was in no hurry to replace the drive since everything was now backed up.

I had purchased a new 20 TB drive which I had just started using when it suddenly became "unallocated". I recovered the partitions and immediately removed that DAS (it was one of two DAS) and replaced it. Both drives have now been in the new DAS for 4 months without any problems or errors.

That is really good info about Diskgenius being able to recover your unallocated drives. I might try it. Was that the free version or the paid version?

It was the paid version. I also purchased Disk Drill with lifetime upgrades. I have 116 TB of hard drives in two DAS and 26 TB on my desktop. Unfortunately, it is likely that I will need one or both of the programs at some point in the future.

drj3,

Thanks for sharing your info. Especially that your copy of Diskgenius is the paid for version.

 

[skyglider]

What software do you use that implements real-time backup?

BVCKUP 2. It has worked perfectly for me. I only use it to backup my D data drive in real-time since data is unique to me. It has never affected performance of my PC as far as I could tell.

Couldn't find any specific product on the web. Sorry, I don't have anything helpful to offer regarding your Macrium issue.

My wife abandoned Macrium because it was too slow, and now uses FFS. Only takes a few minutes or less, after she's done working. Of course HDD to SSD transition helped.