How can I mount a Windows 7 disk image on the same system? (signature conflict)

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In another recent post on superuser.com I asked how to back up all of my files on a Windows 7 system before reboot. It was advised to create a disk image using disk2vhd.

I did so but when I mount the image in computer management under Windows 7 (i.e. in the same system that is backed up), the drive mounts but is listed as "offline" with additional information that there is a signature conflict with another disk (presumably the system drive that I want to back up).

So my question is, if I want to create a full disk image as back up of all of my files, how can I mount the .vhd under the same system. This should be possible because otherwise it is not a good back up solution I suppose.

Edit: This TechNet post seems relevant, where it is discussed that it is problematic to mount a vhd to the same system it images. I understand the problem, but perhaps then the disk image is not a good back up plan after all.

tomka

Posted 2016-05-25T20:36:26.903

Reputation: 397

Wow... would be interesting to know why somebody downvoted. – tomka – 2016-05-25T20:47:35.187

Okay. Now we're back to zero. – tomka – 2016-05-25T21:05:13.380

Funny this down voting without clear arguments why it's a bad question. May be helpful to solve it actually. – tomka – 2016-05-25T21:12:35.883

down votes?... Questions on SU are expected to show some research effort on your part and should be included in your question please. Also votes are based on how useful and clear the question is. Which I think you have met those requirements as of you edit.

– Moab – 2016-05-25T21:32:25.750

Answers

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The reason you are having issues is that you are breaking the license agreement by using the same license key on both physical and virtual systems.

You might be able to bypass this problem with Sysprep, or similar tool.

Disk are fine for backups, but not in the way you are using it.

Keltari

Posted 2016-05-25T20:36:26.903

Reputation: 57 019

Thanks, can you specify how to use them? – tomka – 2016-05-25T21:12:04.460

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@tomka You are making a virtual hard disk, which is similar to a traditional disk image in some respects, yet different - and is the source of your problems. There are many disk imaging tools out there I use Comodo that will make disk image backups.

– Keltari – 2016-05-25T21:17:57.460

Asked: 2016-05-25T20:36:26.903

Viewed: 107 times

Active: 2016-05-25T21:10:30.070