Booting directly to Macrium Reflect Free “Rescue Media” on USB flash drive

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Installed Macrium Reflect Free Version 6.1.909 64-bit on my Dell Precision Tower 5810 running Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit.

Assuming that when I need the Macrium Reflect Free Rescue Media, I probably will not be able to boot into Windows and will need to be able to boot directly into the Macrium Reflect Free Rescue Media on a USB Flash Drive.

Prepared the 2 GB USB Flash Drive for Windows PE by running an elevated command prompt (i.e. made it bootable).
Created the Rescue Media on the USB Flash Drive.

Determined from Dell that holding down the F12 key while powering on my system was the way to boot directly into the Rescue Media on the USB Flash Drive.

Also tried the F2 key.

Tried the F12 key & the F2 key numerous ways – including while standing on my head, while scratching my @%$^, etc., etc.

Nothing worked.

Obviously, booting into anything but Windows with the UEFI booting standard on newer computers is difficult as best.

Researched this extensively at other sources & still nothing works.

My hope is that someone who has used Macrium Reflect Free for some time has found the magic solution for this problem.

All input will be greatly appreciated.

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Steven,

Don’t hold down the F12 key. Just keep tapping it as you boot until you hear a beep. You should then get the boot menu that will let you select your USB device. Make sure your Dell is bootable from USB (BIOS Setting). I boot all the time from USB keys and HDs w/macrium and all is well on all 4 of my Dell computers (1 Desktop {UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} & 3 Laptops {1 w/UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} ).

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Steven,

I boot all the time from USB keys and HDs w/macrium and all is well on all 4 of my Dell computers (1 Desktop {UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} & 3 Laptops {1 w/UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} ).

HTH :cheers:

RG that is the first I have heard that you could boot a USB drive w/ secure boot enabled. I will try it on my 8.1 laptop when I get the chance.

OP you might try disabling secure boot just for kicks. and fastboot. You can get to bios/uefi via err well now I don’t remember how it works in W8 one of the system repair type options. Some one will come along who knows if you can’t find it.
FWIW I can boot no problem UEFI only w/ my Macrium usb drive. And not a newer version of Macrium either.

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Steven,

Don’t hold down the F12 key. Just keep tapping it as you boot until you hear a beep. You should then get the boot menu that will let you select your USB device. Make sure your Dell is bootable from USB (BIOS Setting). I boot all the time from USB keys and HDs w/macrium and all is well on all 4 of my Dell computers (1 Desktop {UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} & 3 Laptops {1 w/UEFI Secure Boot Enabled} ).

HTH :cheers:

Hi! I have a Dell Inspiron 7347 I believe. I too have Macrium Reflect (though the paid version). I can do this just a he says. My question is this: When I go into the BIOS and try to change the Secure Boot to Legacy, it gives me a warning that I may no longer be able to boot my OS (Windows 10). Since the main reason for doing this would be to boot from a USB device (thumb drive), can I change this setting safely and is there any reason too since I can boot to a USB thumb drive via the F12 on reboot method (at least to Macrium Reflect and to Dell Restore Media thumb drives? Thanks in advance!!! I love Windows Secrets and I have been using the paid subscription for some time now.

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My fault – I should have been more specific when I said I tried the F12 & F2 keys numerous ways.

I did try tapping, holding down, holding down with the Shift key doing each before I turned on the System, after I turned on the System, at the Dell logo, etc., etc., etc.

Macrium said that what I did made my USB Flash Drive bootable – but what specifically should I do to verify that?

Additionally, if I determine that the USB Flash Drive is not bootable, what other method could I try to make it bootable?

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Ok first time I have booted w8.1 in weeks. My Macrium works just fine w/ secure boot enabled (not that I did not believe you RG, just wanted to see if it worked on my laptop)

Now to OP: Are you getting anything pressing whatever function key is called for?
If not are you restarting or just starting from ‘shutdown’ which can mean some kinda hybrid hibernation on W8 laptops (mine for instance) to get the UEFI screen you must be going from a RESTART. So the computer cold boots.

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Ok first time I have booted w8.1 in weeks. My Macrium works just fine w/ secure boot enabled (not that I did not believe you RG, just wanted to see if it worked on my laptop)

Now to OP: Are you getting anything pressing whatever function key is called for?
If not are you restarting or just starting from ‘shutdown’ which can mean some kinda hybrid hibernation on W8 laptops (mine for instance) to get the UEFI screen you must be going from a RESTART. So the computer cold boots.

:cheers:

All of my power options are for everything to stay on all of the time.
Nothing ever sleeps, hibernates, etc.

So, I totally shut down the system. Wait a couple of seconds. Then I press the Power button to turn it back on (with the USB in a USB port on the front of the Tower).

Always boots into Windows no matter what key (F12 or F2) I press.

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I thought UEFI Secure Boot had to be disabled to boot up with an USB ?

@ Steven – are you actually getting into the BIOS when you tap F2 or into the temporary boot change when you tap F12 ?

It looks like it’s own burner should make the USB bootable.

http://www.macrium.com/help/v5/How_to/Rescue/Create_a_Standard_Windows_PE_Rescue_Environment.htm

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@ Steven – are you actually getting into the BIOS when you tap F2 or into the temporary boot change when you tap F12 ?

It looks like it’s own burner should make the USB bootable.

http://www.macrium.com/help/v5/How_to/Rescue/Create_a_Standard_Windows_PE_Rescue_Environment.htm

No to both.

Making the USB Flash Drive bootable requires the “Preparing a USB stick for Windows PE” (by Macrium) that I mentioned in my initial post.

In every attempt, my System always boots into Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Using Fred Langa’s guidance in “How to solve UEFI boot and startup problems” dated 12-11-14, I was able to determine that the Macrium Reflect Free “Rescue Media” that I created on a USB Flash Drive is bootable.

But, I still can not boot directly to the USB Flash Drive.

I may try wavy’s suggestion to disable secure boot and fastboot.
But, I really would not like to have to keep those 2 disabled all of the time just for the rare case where I cannot boot into Windows & have to boot directly to the Macrium Reflect Free Rescue Media USB Flash Drive.

If there is not already, there should be a better way.

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Might check that the USB drive is formatted as FAT…

From Macrium…

Boot Mechanisms

Computers boot can boot using one or both of the following mechanisms.

MBR/BIOS. This will boot from either the primary FAT or NTFS partition that has been set active
uEFI. This will boot from a FAT partition only.

Most modern computers can boot either method. However, some tablets and computers with secure boot enabled may only be capable of uEFI booting. Older computers will only boot MBR/BIOS. uEFI booting requires a FAT filesystem.

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Troubleshooting+USB+rescue+media

Yes, I did format it as FAT as spelled out in the Macrium “Creating rescue media”

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One approach that I have used is to do the following…

1. Power off the computer.

2. Hold down the F2 key.

3. Power the computer on while continuing to hold down the F2 key.

You may get some beeps that a key is stuck, but it can work.

Been there, done that.
That attempt was also done while I was scratching my @%^%^#

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I assume F2 and F12 are listed as the keys to press for the relevant functions as F1 or F3 can work on some Dells.

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I assume F2 and F12 are listed as the keys to press for the relevant functions as F1 or F3 can work on some Dells.

escape key works for me

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If you have another keyboard, you might try that.

I did receive an el-cheapo Dell Keyboard with the System.

But, instead I am using the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 that I always purchase new with every new System.

I first bought one of those keyboards with a new System about 3 Systems back, loved it, and have been using them ever since.

I am sure I still have the el-cheapo Dell Keyboard that came with this System.

Will locate it at the back of closet somewhere & try it.

But, I must ask these Stupid Questions:
Why would a different Keyboard make any difference?
What are the chances that the F12 Key AND the F2 Key on this Keyboard were bad?

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F2 and F12 are correct according to the Dell Owner’s Manual…

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_dell_precision_workstation/precision-t5810-workstation_Owner%27s%20Manual_en-us.pdf

Yep, I had already found that.

When it didn’t work then, I E-Mailed Dell & got the same answer.

I have been dealing with this for a couple of weeks now (not full time, but plenty of wasted time).

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You should be able to get to UEFI from

Settings
Update recovery
Recovery
Advanced startup Restart now
Trouble shoot
Advanced
UEFI firmware settings
Restart

Do a little exploring you should not make random changes and writing down any thing you do in UEFI is a VERY good idea.

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Update

I tried to get to UEFI from a ‘shutdown’ and was unable. I thought I had every power wise set too. I then went to command line and entered:
powercfg -h off

Now it works. I will need to do some more research here. Try it!!

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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…Now it works…

That figures.

I have Win10 on my laptop and one of my desktops, and had to turn off hibernation & “Fast Startup” on both because Win10’s “Fast Startup” was causing chkdsk to run on the other OS partitions and data partitions.

powercfg -h off will turn off hibernation and delete the hiberfil.sys file so “Fast Startup” is also disabled.

Didn’t notice much difference in startup times after I disabled hibernation and “Fast Startup” anyhow.

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powercfg -h off will turn off hibernation and delete the hiberfil.sys file so “Fast Startup” is also disabled.

Am thinking of experimenting with turning off Fast Start using the command you listed.

To turn it back on, would I just change the “off” to “on”?

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David,

You are correct you do NOT want Fast Boot Enabled and disabling Hibernation will “make it so!”

:cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Coochin said:

powercfg -h off will turn off hibernation and delete the hiberfil.sys file so “Fast Startup” is also disabled.

Didn’t notice much difference in startup times after I disabled hibernation and “Fast Startup” anyhow.

Retired Geek said:

You are correct you do NOT want Fast Boot Enabled and disabling Hibernation will “make it so!”

You guys obviously know more about this than I do, but everything I have read says that Fast Boot significantly speeds up the startup process in Windows 8 (much less so in older OSs).

Are both of you using Windows 8?

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Coochin said:

powercfg -h off will turn off hibernation and delete the hiberfil.sys file so “Fast Startup” is also disabled.

Didn’t notice much difference in startup times after I disabled hibernation and “Fast Startup” anyhow.

Retired Geek said:

You are correct you do NOT want Fast Boot Enabled and disabling Hibernation will “make it so!”

You guys obviously know more about this than I do, but everything I have read says that Fast Boot significantly speeds up the startup process in Windows 8 (much less so in older OSs).

Are both of you using Windows 8?

You don’t have to leave it off.

Have you tried what is in posts 10, 20, 21 & 25?

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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You don’t have to leave it off.

Have you tried what is in posts 10, 20, 21 & 25?

:cheers:

I have repeatedly tried everything immediately as it was posted – with the exception of turning off Fast Boot.
Still pondering whether I want to lose Fast Boot.

If I don’t leave Fast Boot off, then I can’t boot directly to the USB
And if I cannot boot into Windows, I cannot turn it off again to be able to boot directly to the USB.

Once I turn it off, how do I turn it back on again?

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Retired Geek said:

You are correct you do NOT want Fast Boot Enabled and disabling Hibernation will “make it so!”

You guys obviously know more about this than I do, but everything I have read says that Fast Boot significantly speeds up the startup process in Windows 8 (much less so in older OSs).

Are both of you using Windows 8?

Steven,

Yes I’m using Win 8.1 Pro on my main desktop machine. I have the OS on a SSD and it boots in less than 30 seconds (plenty fast for me). With Hibernation turned off I don’t have to worry about corrupted hyperfil.sys files and the extra write cycles to my SSD. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Steven,

Yes I’m using Win 8.1 Pro on my main desktop machine. I have the OS on a SSD and it boots in less than 30 seconds (plenty fast for me). With Hibernation turned off I don’t have to worry about corrupted hyperfil.sys files and the extra write cycles to my SSD. HTH :cheers:

Mine boots in less than 30 seconds, but not actually sure of how fast.
Will put the stopwatch to it next time I restart & report back.

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Steven,

Yes I’m using Win 8.1 Pro on my main desktop machine. I have the OS on a SSD and it boots in less than 30 seconds (plenty fast for me). With Hibernation turned off I don’t have to worry about corrupted hyperfil.sys files and the extra write cycles to my SSD. HTH :cheers:

I timed my boot time twice.
The time difference each time was within 0.02 seconds – close enough for government work.

So, I averaged the two times & got 44.42 seconds to get to the Microsoft Account Sign-In Screen

That is more than the “less than 30 seconds” I had guessed it would be (in Post # 37 above).

Maybe Fast Start is not as fast as my research had suggested.

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I’m not experienced enough to know as much as I’d like to know about the issues going on; however, I am interested in this subject as I use MR on my Win7 computer: but then I’m going to expect upgrading some Win 8.1’s to Win10. In my case I used DVD-R to create my MR rescue disk. But if it’s worth the effort to use a flash drive, I will want to try it when the opportunity is there.

I know my questions might seem odd but here goes:

Post #7: Although you can not boot directly to the USB Flash Drive, you have determined that the Macrium Reflect Free “Rescue Media” that you created on a USB Flash Drive is bootable.
— Does this mean that you are able to proceed to test your MR system image backup?

You were asked by Sudo15 whether or not you were getting into the BIOS when you tap F2 or into the temporary boot change when you tap F12?
— Your answer was no on both counts
— That’s a major problem if you cannot get into the boot menu or your BIOS (should I say UEFI settings?)
— I don’t see where your bootable USB is at fault here
— However, can you answer yes to those questions if the USB isn’t plugged in?

On Fast Boot, I believe you do not want to disable it and I can understand why
However what I’m wondering about is this:
You have a USB 3.0 port and a USB 2.0 port on the front
Is your USB flash drive 2.0 or 3.0?
If the flash drive is 2.0 maybe it can’t boot up quickly enough to “match” the Fast Boot process

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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But if it’s worth the effort to use a flash drive, I will want to try it when the opportunity is there.

Now I even have the incentive to follow through on that when the time comes

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Plug the USB key in.
Hold Shift down when you click Restart and you will get options to boot from the USB key.
This will confirm that it is bootable.
Power off and disconnect the internal hard disk.
Now try booting from the USB.

cheers, Paul

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Plug the USB key in.
Hold Shift down when you click Restart and you will get options to boot from the USB key.
cheers, Paul

Good trick to know!

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Don’t know if this makes a difference.

But, when I say it boots to Windows instead of to the USB, I mean that it boots to the Microsoft account so I can input my password & then it proceeds to Windows.

Could requiring that Microsoft Account Password be keeping it from booting to the USB?

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Would it help any if OP used PS/2 keyboard if a PS/2 port is available? I’m assuming OP has a desktop. If this is a laptop, forget my idea

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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I have disabled Fast Boot for several years now. I want the extra testing of the hardware, the generated screens, such tell me that the computer is posting well, and on its way to booting well. I forgot what the benefits for Fast Boot was.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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DING DING DING – WE HAVE A WINNER !!!

:fanfare:
:clapping:
:bananas:

Doesn’t that Microsoft keyboard have a feature called F-Lock that toggles what the function keys do?

I was aware of that F Lock Key & have always kept it on – so that the standard commands printed on the front of the keys are enabled

In the 15 or so years I have used this type of Keyboard (3 or more different Keyboards), I have never had the F Lock Key be accidentally turned off.

But, somehow, it did get turned off (or it came turned off & I never noticed that since I have not had to touch it in forever).

So, with the F Lock Key turned off, the alternate commands printed on the top of the keys are enabled.

F12 becomes “Print”
F2 becomes “Undo”

I turned the F Lock Key back on.

Completely turned off the system (did not just “Restart” it)

Put the Macrium Reflect Free Rescue Media (USB 2.0 Flash Drive – 2G) in a USB 2.0 Port on the front of the System.

While holding down the F12 Key, I turned on the System.

Booted directly to the USB Flash Drive without any problems whatsoever ! ! !

I did NOT have to Disable Fast Boot or do the powercfg -h off thingy and I was able to Boot to the USB Flash Drive from a Total Shutdown.

Although jwoods gets my special thanks for simplifying the solution, I also want to THANK EVERYONE who contributed their thoughts & expertise.

THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK – YOU

I have also Thanked each of you in each separate post.

You all DESERVE IT ! ! !

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I have been using an MS keyboard for years and have always been frustrated by the “stupid” re-mapping of function keys. Now I no longer have that problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.

cheers, Paul

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I have been using an MS keyboard for years and have always been frustrated by the “stupid” re-mapping of function keys. Now I no longer have that problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.

cheers, Paul

I assume you no longer use the MS Keyboard.

There are enough positives for me to offset that negative.
Plus, as I said previously, the F Lock Key has never gotten turned off “accidentally” in over 15 years.
I have purposefully turned it off to change the function of those keys, but always turn it back on immediately afterwards.

There should be a cover over that key to keep one from accidentally having it in the wrong position. – – – That gives me an idea ! ! !

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“Another keyboard”…
I have noticed that when I need to “F8” to get into Safe Mode, I have to plug in an old direct keyboard first – as a USB keyboard isn’t recognized until halfway through the boot process!

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I have had no issues booting the Macrium Reflect USB Recovery Media on two computers. My HP Win8.1 desktop has UEFI and I use the Home version of Macrium with it. The HP requires F9 as the key to switch boot options and I use a Logitech USB wireless keyboard with it. The wireless keyboard works great. I have been able to start the Macrium Rescue bootable, one for my antivirus, and various Linux bootable USB or CD’s that way. The second computer is a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop recently upgraded to Win10. It is 5 years old and does not have UEFI. It uses F12 for switching the boot sequence. I use Macrium Free on that system and it will also boot on that. I guess it depends on what your BIOS will allow.

JohnD

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I think this points out the obvious; that it is important after setting up a backup to make sure if the OS fails you can recover the boot drive. Better ensure the process now rather than when you need to do it and suddenly are trying to figure out the process and if it even will work.

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I think this points out the obvious; that it is important after setting up a backup to make sure if the OS fails you can recover the boot drive. Better ensure the process now rather than when you need to do it and suddenly are trying to figure out the process and if it even will work.

It may be pointing out the obvious, but I do not think it can be pointed out too often.

Making sure I could boot to the Rescue USB was my intention here.

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Steven,

Check outthis threadfor automated restart timing. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Correct.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/920730

coochin uses: powercfg -h off

The Microsoft Article ID: 920730 you had a link to uses: powercfg.exe /hibernate off
In your link, Microsoft said that applied to various Windows versions.
Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit was not listed.

I am using Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit.
Which command should I use?

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That re enables hibernation, not Fast Start. To check the state of Fast Start, go to:
Control Panel > Power Options > Choose What the Power buttons do
Under Shutdown settings, the box next to “Turn on Fast Startup ” needs to be checked to enable Fast Startup.

This is where you should have disabled Fast Startup rather than using the Powercfg command to disable hibernation which Fast Startup uses.. If you did use the powercfg command to turn off hibernation, you need to run it again using on to re enable hibernation before going into Control panel.

Jerry

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@ jwitalka

“Fast Startup” requires hibernation to be on.

The command
powercfg -h off
disables hibernation and deletes the hiberfil.sys file.

Since “Fast Startup” requires hibernation to be on to work “Fast Startup” is automatically disabled when hibernation is off.

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I recognize that and alluded to it in my response. My main point was that re enabling hibernation via the powercfg command will not necessarily re enable Fast Startup. Also a user may want to keep hibernation enabled but not want Fast Startup.

Jerry

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From jwoods link in Post # 50, I continued on to this:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4503-power-user-tasks-menu-open-windows-8-a.html

Even though it is dated in 2012, that article suggests that just right clicking the Windows key & doing the shutdown there will result in a total shutdown – even with Fast Start still turned on.

That is how I have always shut down this Desktop.
So, since I am getting a total shutdown, Fast Start being on does not result in a faster boot up.

My boot up time (approx. 44 seconds) is acceptable to me.
So, I think I will leave everything the way it is presently set.
Will change that only if Fast Start creates other problems.

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Pilar,

I also use Dells and yes you can safely change the Secure Boot setting and still boot windows. The one thing I use this for is to boot the Microsoft (yes you would think they could make something to boot under UEFI Secure Boot) Windows Defender Offline USB key which will NOT boot under Secure Boot.

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Thank you so very much for your reply, and so quickly!!! This is why I love Windows Secrets and have for years.

So when I get to that segment in the BIOS I can comfortably just say OK and when I reboot into Windows 10 everything should be good to go? The only difference is that I can then use a properly prepared USB thumb drive to boot my computer, correct? Thanks in advance!!! Chip

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Chip,

Yes. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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