Windows 11 Unsuccessful trying to clone bootable partition on external USB drive to single flash drive

[Zevik83]

I have a multi-partitioned Seagate USB drive with D: 32GB containing the Recovery bootable created from Winb11 24h2. Trying to clone to a single 128GB flash drive. Both source and destination are formatted Fat32. The software I am using (Macrorit - cheap alt. to Macrium) reports that Destination is too small. What am I missing or is there a Win11 tool to do this?

 

[ChatGPT]

Totally understandable — that was a long haul and you’ve earned the break. Glad you found a path forward with 4DDiG. Before you dive in, three short safety reminders and a tiny checklist so the Recovery partition stays safe and the USB you build will actually work when you need it.
Quick safety checklist (do these first)
1) Don’t overwrite the source Seagate. Make an image of D: (Recovery) to a different drive first — that gives you a fallback if anything goes wrong. 4DDiG supports Disk/Partition Backup for this.
2) Run 4DDiG as Administrator (right‑click → Run as administrator) so it sees external partitions reliably. We already used that earlier and it worked.
3) Create Rescue/Recovery media (a second small USB) before you start restoring anything — that lets you boot a PC and fix the target if boot files are missing. Many tools (including 4DDiG) offer a “Create Rescue USB” option.
Minimal recommended workflow with 4DDiG (safe, step‑by‑step)
1) Image (safe copy): Disk/Partition Backup → select only D: → save image file to another internal/external drive (NOT the 128 GB stick). Wait for “Backup completed.” (This never touches other partitions.
2) Restore to USB: Disk/Partition Restore → pick the image file → choose the 128 GB flash as the target → in the Restore/Partition options choose “Use full capacity / expand to target” (or similar). Make sure “sector‑by‑sector” is NOT checked. Start restore.
3) Test: Safely eject the USB and boot a working PC from it (UEFI/F12/boot menu). Confirm WinRE / recovery environment loads. If it doesn’t boot, tell me the error and I’ll give the fix (usually a tiny WinPE diskpart + bcdboot command).
If the USB won’t boot — quick fix (run from WinPE or Rescue)

• diskpart
• list vol
• select vol <EFIvol> (pick the FAT32 ESP if present)
• assign letter=S:
• exit
• bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI
  (Only run these if you boot into WinPE/Rescue and we confirm the correct volumes.

Other practical tips

• Keep the original Seagate attached until you’ve verified the USB boots — don’t delete anything yet.
• Keep the 4DDiG purchase receipt and license (you may need it for reinstall / refunds).
• If 4DDiG offers a trial mode to verify the image/preview before commit, use it first. If you see any dialog that looks like it will wipe other partitions, pause and paste a screenshot here.
• If you’d rather not pay again later for other tasks, I’ll still help with Macrium / Clonezilla steps (both free routes) if you change your mind.

If you want live help

• I can sit with you step‑by‑step while you run the image → restore in 4DDiG. Say “Ready” and tell me which step you’re at and I’ll wait for your “Done” after each click. If you’re done for now — no problem. Come back anytime and I’ll pick up where you left off.

Well done persevering this far. If you want, paste the 4DDiG restore preview screen (before you confirm) and I’ll verify it’s safe to proceed.

 

[Zevik83]

Back in trouble ! I sent the 4DDIG backup file to a new folder on Documents. But when I go to "Select Backup to Restore" the only 2 options to choose from are either the first empty drive H: on the multi-partitioned external Seagate drive and the original source drive D: on the Seagate. So I had better send the Backup File to H: Correct ?

 

[ChatGPT]

You can — but don’t put the backup image on H: if H: is a partition on the same Seagate you are imaging. That would leave you with the image stored on the same physical disk you’re trying to preserve (risky if anything goes wrong). Save/restore rules and the safe next step are below.
What I’d do (short)

1. Move the backup (.img/.bak/.4ddig) off the Seagate and onto a different physical drive you can point 4DDiG at: either your PC’s internal drive (C:\Users\<you>\Documents\4DDiGBackups) or another external USB stick/drive — NOT the same Seagate.
2. In 4DDiG (run it as Administrator), use the Restore → “Select backup to restore” → click the Browse / Select file option and navigate to the folder you put the image in. Select the image file and proceed to restore to the 128 GB flash.

Why not save on H: (the Seagate)?

• If the image is on the same physical device, a bad write/operation could corrupt both the original partition and the backup. Always keep the image on a different physical device until you’ve verified the restore.

Exact safe steps (copy/paste style)

1. Move the file (File Explorer):
   • Open File Explorer → go to the Documents folder where you saved the backup.
   • Create folder C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDiGBackups (or use another external drive).
   • Copy (don’t cut) the backup file into that folder.
2. Run 4DDiG as Administrator: right‑click → Run as administrator. (You already did this earlier and it helped 4DDiG see external drives.
3. In 4DDiG: Windows Backup → Restore → Select backup to restore → click Browse / Select file and navigate to C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDiGBackups → select the image file → Next. If the UI shows detected backups, use the Browse button instead (some versions only list detected images unless you browse).
4. Choose the 128 GB USB as the target (confirm it’s the correct drive letter). In restore options, enable “expand / use full capacity” and ensure “sector‑by‑sector” is NOT checked. Start restore. Wait for completion and then test boot.

If 4DDiG still won’t see the file

• Tell me the full filename and its path (copy/paste). I’ll tell you the exact Browse clicks or whether 4DDiG wants a specific extension/location. If there’s no Browse button, I’ll show a quick workaround: copy the image to the root of a simple formatted NTFS external (e.g., your 128 GB flash temporarily) and browse again — but remember: don’t restore the image to the same drive the image sits on; if you must, put the image on your PC (C instead.

If you’d like, I can:

• Wait while you move the file and walk you through the exact 4DDiG clicks (I’ll wait for your “Done” after each click); OR
• Tell you the PowerShell commands to list volumes/drives if you want to confirm which drive letter is which before you proceed.

Which do you want — “Walk me through the 4DDiG Restore clicks” or “I’ll paste the backup file path and you confirm the next step”?

 

[Zevik83]

AI went astray on above reply. To repeat: Source is D: on the external Seagate. I backed up to C:/'....Document/4DDIG_Recovery. But 4DDIG does not show any folder on the C: Drive. as the location of the backup file. The only location of the backup that shows is the next empty drive partition on the Seagate which is H: - and also the original source location D: on the external drive.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — that clarifies the situation.
Short answer: 4DDiG is only showing backups it detects on the drives it scans by default (your Seagate partitions). You should NOT store the image on the same Seagate (H — keep the image on a different physical disk (your C: or another external) and then use 4DDiG’s Browse/Select file dialog to pick it. I’ll give exact, safe steps and a few troubleshooting checks you can run right now.
Step‑by‑step — make the saved image visible to 4DDiG (safe)
1) Verify the image file and path

• In File Explorer go to C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDIG_Recovery and note the exact filename and extension (e.g., Dell_D_recovery.bak or .img).
• Right‑click the file → Properties → if there’s an “Unblock” checkbox, check it and click OK. Confirm file size > 0. (If size = 0 the backup failed.

2) Run 4DDiG as Administrator (required)

• Close 4DDiG. Right‑click its shortcut → Run as administrator. This ensures it can see all drives and files. If it didn’t show the Seagate earlier until you did this, you already proved this matters.

3) Use the Restore → Browse method (exact clicks)

• In 4DDiG choose Windows Backup → Restore → Select backup to restore.
• Look for a Browse / Select File / “…” button (some versions show a small folder icon). Click it and navigate to C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDIG_Recovery and select the image file.
• If you only see drive letters and no file‑browser, look again for a small “Browse” link or an option labelled “Select file” or “Import image.” If you can’t find a Browse button, tell me what exact text the Restore window shows and I’ll tell you where it’s hiding in your 4DDiG build.

4) If the file dialog doesn’t show your file:

• Change the file type filter in the open dialog to “All Files (.)” — some programs hide non‑standard extensions by default.
• Copy the image to a simple path and retry: create C:\4DDiG_Backups and copy the image there, then use Browse → C:\4DDiG_Backups → select file. Simple paths avoid permissions/virtual folder issues.
• If that still fails, copy the image to another USB drive (not the Seagate) and try Restore → Browse → select from that USB.

5) IMPORTANT — don’t save the image on the same Seagate you’re imaging

• If you put the image on H: (a partition on the Seagate), a restore or write problem could corrupt both the original recovery and the backup. Keep the image on a different physical drive until you’ve restored and tested.

If 4DDiG only shows D: and H: in the Restore window

• That often means the UI is listing detected backup locations (mounted image catalogs) rather than letting you browse arbitrary folders. Use the Browse/select file button instead of the quick list. If there is no Browse option visible, paste a screenshot of the Restore dialog (or copy the exact window text) and I’ll point to the right control in your version.

If you still can’t make 4DDiG see the file — quick fallback plan

• Copy the backup file to another external USB (or to the root of C and try the Restore → Browse there.
• Or restore using Macrium Reflect Free (image+restore) or boot Clonezilla — I can walk you through either if you prefer. Both approaches were discussed earlier and are safe alternatives.

If you want live help

• Tell me (A) the exact filename and full path you saved the image to, and (B) paste a screenshot (or type) the Restore dialog text/buttons you see in 4DDiG. I’ll tell you exactly which button to click or what to change.
• I can wait while you try copying to C:\4DDiG_Backups and then walk you through the Browse→Select→Restore clicks step‑by‑step.

Which would you like — “I’ll paste the restore dialog text/screenshot” or “I’ll copy the image to C:\4DDiG_Backups and try Browse now”?

 

[Zevik83]

Here is the Screenshot.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — the screenshot is exactly what I needed. 4DDiG is showing only its detected/registered backups (on the Seagate) in that dropdown — you need to import the image file you saved under Documents so it appears in the “Select Backup to Restore” list. Do this instead of moving the image to H: (don’t store the image on the same physical Seagate disk you’re trying to protect).
Follow these exact steps (I’m referring to the screenshot you sent — note the two small icons at the right of the dropdown):
1) Run 4DDiG as Administrator

• Right‑click the 4DDiG shortcut → Run as administrator. (You already did this before; keep doing it while restoring.

2) Import the image file into 4DDiG (so it appears in the dropdown)

• In the Restore window, click the small “import / open file” icon to the right of the “Select Backup to Restore” dropdown (the down‑arrow / folder icon in your screenshot). That opens a file browser.
• In the file browser navigate to the exact folder where you saved the image: C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDIG_Recovery (or C:\4DDiG_Backups if you moved it).
• Change the file type filter to “All Files (.)” if you don’t see your file (some builds hide non‑standard extensions).
• Select the backup image file (the .img/.bak/.4ddig file you created) and click Open / Import.

3) Confirm the imported backup appears in the dropdown

• After import the backup should now show in the “Select Backup to Restore” dropdown (instead of only showing D: / H. Pick the imported entry.

4) Select the correct TARGET drive on the right (very important)

• On the right side choose the 128 GB flash as the target — not any partition on the Seagate. In your screenshot the 128 GB stick shows as “General USB Flash Disk, MBR” (or similar). Tick that, not any Seagate entries.
• Make sure the source (left) shows D: RECOVERY as the source.

5) Restore options before you click Restore

• Uncheck “Restore to original location” (if present) so you won’t overwrite the source.
• In the restore preview/options confirm there is an option to “Use full capacity / Fit to target” or a slider to expand the restored partition to the full 128 GB — enable that so the 32 GB image expands to the larger stick.
• Ensure “sector‑by‑sector” or “copy all sectors” is NOT checked (we want file/used‑space copy so it fits a larger target).

6) Start the restore and wait

• Click Restore. Wait until the program reports success. Don’t unplug anything while it runs.

7) Test the USB by booting a PC from it

• Safely eject the flash, plug it into a bootable PC, use F12/Boot Menu to boot from USB and check the recovery environment loads.

If you do not see any “import / open file” icon

• Look for a small folder, an arrow, a three‑dot menu or a refresh icon near the dropdown. If absolutely no import option is available, do this workaround: copy the image file to C:\ (root) — e.g., C:\4DDiG_Backups\yourimage.img — then try the Restore → dropdown again and/or use the program’s main File menu > Import/Load backup (or check Settings → Backup folder). If still no luck, paste a photo of the full Restore window including the two small icons (you already sent one; I can point to the right one if needed).

If anything looks different or the import dialog fails, paste the exact filename and extension (copy/paste the full path here) and I’ll tell you the precise button that will load it.
Want me to wait while you click the import icon and tell me what you see? Say “I clicked import” and paste any small error text if it appears — I’ll guide the next click.

 

[Zevik83]

Clicked the download icon top right and it appeared as User Import in the large top outlined rectangle "Select backup ...". Clicked on that, then Restore. 4DDIG went to work and then up came error msg "No source/target disk partitions selected to restore. Please select to proceed".

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — good progress and thanks for the error text. That message is simply 4DDiG telling you it doesn’t see a selected SOURCE partition on the left AND a selected TARGET partition on the right at the same time. You imported the image correctly, but you still must tick the checkboxes that pick which partition in the image to restore, and which partition on the USB to restore to.
Do this now — exact clicks (follow in order)
1) Make sure 4DDiG is running as Administrator.
2) At the top choose the imported backup from the “Select Backup to Restore” dropdown (you did this already).
3) Left pane (source)

• Expand the disk entry if it’s collapsed (click the small chevron/arrow to the left of “Disk0 : Seagate …”).
• Tick the checkbox immediately to the left of the partition named “D : RECOVERY… (11.8 GB / 32 GB)”. You must see that row checked. This is the SOURCE.
  4) Right pane (target) — VERY IMPORTANT: pick the 128 GB flash, not the Seagate
• Expand the list under “General USB Flash Disk, MBR” (or whatever name the 128GB stick shows).
• Tick the checkbox for the partition on that USB (the partition entry under that disk — or the disk-level checkbox if the UI shows only disk-level). Example: tick the box next to “W: Boot… (29 MB / 116.1 GB)” or the partition entry that corresponds to your 128GB stick.
• Do NOT tick the Seagate entries on the right (those are the source physical disk). If you accidentally tick the Seagate on the right you will overwrite the original — avoid that.
  5) Look at the center arrow area — it should show the source partition (left) and the chosen target partition (right) with arrows between them.
  6) Optional: click the partition on the target (or a “Cloned Partition Properties” link) and enable “Fit to target / Use full capacity” so the restored partition expands to 128 GB. Ensure “Sector‑by‑sector” is NOT checked.
  7) Click Restore. The error you saw will not appear if both a source checkbox and a target checkbox are selected.

If you still get the same error

• Paste a full screenshot that shows both left and right panes after you have ticked the boxes (so I can see exactly what’s ticked).
• If the right pane does not show the 128GB stick or any partition under it, open Disk Management (Win+X → Disk Management) and confirm the 128GB USB has a healthy partition and drive letter. If it’s unallocated/has no partition, create a quick NTFS partition on the USB (right‑click → New Simple Volume → assign a letter) and then retry step 4. (Creating a quick NTFS partition on the USB is safe — we will overwrite it with the restore.

A couple of safety reminders

• Don’t select the Seagate disk (source) as the target. The target must be a different physical device.
• If you’re unsure which entry is the 128 GB flash, copy/paste the output of this (Admin PowerShell): Get-Volume | Format-Table DriveLetter,FileSystem,Size,HealthStatus,FriendlyName -Auto — I’ll confirm which line is your flash.
• If anything looks ambiguous, paste the screenshot rather than clicking Restore.

If you want me to watch while you do this, say “I’m ready — I’ll tick source now” and then paste a screenshot after you tick the source box; I’ll tell you precisely which target box to tick.

 

[Zevik83]

If I click on the checkbox next to D: the checkbox for H: highlights also. Things are just not working the way we want !

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — that symptom makes the problem clear: 4DDiG is linking the source and target checkboxes because the UI is showing the same physical disk (Seagate) on both sides and the program is trying to be helpful / prevent invalid restores — but it’s picking H: (a partition on the same Seagate) as a target when you tick D:. We must force it to use the 128 GB flash as the target (a different physical disk).
Try these short, safe actions in this order and tell me what happens (or paste the PowerShell output I ask for if you get stuck).
Quick attempt A — select target first, then source

1. In 4DDiG Restore window, pick the imported backup from the dropdown.
2. On the RIGHT pane expand the physical disk that is the 128 GB flash (it will show the friendly name like “General USB Flash Disk, MBR” and the partition under it). Click the checkbox for that USB partition first. Do NOT touch any Seagate boxes.
3. Now on the LEFT pane tick the checkbox for D: (the source).
4. The center should show the left→right mapping. If it does, click Restore (after confirming “fit to target” and sector‑by‑sector off).

If step A fails because ticking D: always forces H: to be checked:

• Immediately after the auto‑check happens, manually uncheck H: (on the right) and make sure only the USB partition remains checked. Then proceed to Restore.

If you can’t uncheck H: or the UI keeps forcing it back, do Quick attempt B.
Quick attempt B — temporarily remove ambiguity by unplugging the Seagate’s other partitions

1. Safest: close 4DDiG.
2. In Windows Explorer safely eject the Seagate (Safely Remove). Physically unplug the Seagate USB.
3. Leave only the 128 GB USB plugged in + your PC (so 4DDiG can’t auto‑select any partitions on the Seagate). Reopen 4DDiG (Run as Administrator) and import the image file again (or make sure it’s still in the dropdown).
4. Plug the Seagate back in. Now in the Restore dialog 4DDiG should still show the imported image — select the image, then the right‑pane should clearly show the 128GB USB as a distinct disk (tick it) and the left pane should show the D: recovery partition on the Seagate (tick it). Proceed.
   This unplug/plug sequence often prevents the UI from auto‑linking partitions.

If unplugging the Seagate is not convenient, try Quick attempt C.
Quick attempt C — confirm which drive is which and paste outputs (I’ll point exact boxes)
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run these two commands and paste the outputs here (copy the whole block that prints):
Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
Get-Volume | Format-Table DriveLetter,FileSystem,Size,SizeRemaining,FriendlyName -Auto
I’ll read the output and tell you exactly which checkbox to tick on left and right (I’ll identify the source and the 128 GB target by size / FriendlyName so there’s no guesswork).
If none of the above works

• We’ll use the safe alternate: restore using Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla (I’ll walk you step‑by‑step). That avoids 4DDiG UI quirks.

Which do you want to try now?

• I’ll wait while you try A (select target first) and B (unplug trick). If you hit the auto‑check again, paste the PowerShell outputs above and I’ll give the precise checkboxes to use.

 

[Zevik83]

Your response has me confused. Look at the screenshot again - the Flash drive is already expanded as much as it will go.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — that helps. You’re right: the flash being already expanded is fine; the problem is 4DDiG auto‑linking the source partition to H: (a partition on the same Seagate) when you tick D:. We need to force 4DDiG to use the USB flash as the target instead. Try these quick, safe options — start with the first one and only move to the others if it still auto‑selects H:.
Option 1 — Select target first, then source (simple, non‑destructive)

1. Make sure 4DDiG is running as Administrator.
2. In the Restore window, on the RIGHT pane expand the disk that is the 128 GB flash (the entry that says “General USB Flash Disk” or shows ~116–128 GB).
3. Tick only the checkbox for that USB partition first.
4. Now on the LEFT pane tick the checkbox for D: (RECOVERY).
5. If H: gets auto‑checked, immediately uncheck H: and re‑check the USB partition. After that tick D:. The center preview should show D: → USB.
6. Confirm “Restore to original location” is NOT checked and that “sector‑by‑sector” is OFF. Click Restore.

If that works, run the restore and test the USB. If the UI keeps forcing H: and you cannot uncheck it, use Option 2.
Option 2 — Temporarily remove the other Seagate letters (safe and reversible)
This prevents 4DDiG from auto‑mapping to H:.

1. Close 4DDiG.
2. Press Win+X → Disk Management.
3. On the Seagate disk, for every partition except the D: Recovery partition, right‑click → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Remove. (Do NOT remove D:. This only removes the drive letters — it does not delete data.
4. Reopen 4DDiG (Run as Admin). The right pane should now show only the USB as a possible target. Select the USB target and the D: source and Restore.
5. After the restore, reassign the removed drive letters in Disk Management (right‑click → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Add → pick original letters).

Option 3 — Unplug/replug trick (if you prefer hardware)

1. Safely eject and unplug the Seagate temporarily.
2. Leave only the 128 GB flash plugged in. Launch 4DDiG, import the image and select the USB as target.
3. Plug the Seagate back in. Select D: as the source (left). Proceed to Restore.

Which would you like to try now?

• Try Option 1 and tell me if H: immediately re‑checks and you cannot uncheck it. If so, I’ll guide you through Option 2 (removing letters) step‑by‑step and wait after each click.

 

[Zevik83]

None of the clicking around changes anything. With both boxes on target USB stick unchecked, if II click on the expanded USB stick partition, the checkbox fades and the top box clicks on solid.. Checked or unchecked on right, on the Left, if I check either checkbox, both come on solid unchanged from H and D.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — that description makes the issue clear: 4DDiG’s GUI is forcing a mapping between the source and a partition on the same physical Seagate disk, so you can’t get it to target the separate 128GB flash. Two reliable, safe ways past this:
Option A — Recommended (most reliable): boot 4DDiG’s Rescue environment and run the restore from WinPE
Why: the Rescue/WinPE environment runs outside Windows and generally lets you pick source image and a different physical target without the Windows GUI auto‑linking quirk.
Steps (do these first if you can)

1. Create a Rescue USB in 4DDiG
   • In 4DDiG (Run as Administrator) go to Tools / Rescue Media (or “Create Rescue USB”) and build WinPE rescue on a separate small USB (8–16GB). Follow the wizard and write the rescue to that USB.
   • Don’t use the 128GB target for the rescue — use a different small stick.
2. Copy the image file to a second external (if possible)
   • If your backup image is on C:\Documents and you can copy it to another small USB (different from the rescue stick) do that now. It’s simpler during WinPE to have the image on a USB. (If you can’t copy it, the internal C: will usually be visible from WinPE, but a USB image is simpler.
3. Boot the PC from the Rescue USB
   • Shut down, plug in the rescue USB, plug in the Seagate (source) and the 128GB flash (target). Boot and enter the Boot Menu (F12/ Novo / whatever your PC uses) → choose the Rescue USB.
4. In the Rescue environment run 4DDiG restore
   • Use the Rescue UI to locate the image (browse to the USB or internal drive) and select it.
   • Now the UI will let you pick the SOURCE partition (the D: recovery image inside the image file) and the TARGET (the 128GB flash) independently. Pick the 128GB stick as target and choose the “Fit to target / Use full capacity” option (do NOT use sector‑by‑sector). Start the restore.
   • When done, test the 128GB by booting from it.

Why this avoids the problem: the WinPE environment does not present the Windows device-mapping that was causing 4DDiG to auto‑map D:→H: in the Windows GUI.
Option B — Quick workaround inside Windows (no reboot) — remove conflicting letters so 4DDiG cannot auto‑select the Seagate partitions
Why: if 4DDiG is auto‑selecting H: because it sees multiple partitions on the same disk, temporarily removing other drive letters (not D makes the USB the only available target in the UI.
Steps (careful — reversible; I’ll walk you through):

1. Run Disk Management (Win+X → Disk Management).
2. For the Seagate disk ONLY remove drive letters for every partition except the D: recovery partition:
   • Right‑click the partition (e.g., H:, I:, etc. → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Remove. Confirm. (Do NOT remove D:. This does NOT delete data — it only removes the drive letter from Windows so those partitions won’t appear in 4DDiG as target candidates.
3. Leave the 128GB flash with its drive letter. Run 4DDiG (Run as Administrator) → Restore:
   • Select the imported image, tick D: as source (left), and tick the USB partition on the right (your 128GB stick). The mapping should now stick to USB.
4. Do the restore (enable Fit to target).
5. After a successful restore, return to Disk Management and reassign the original letters you removed (Change Drive Letter and Paths → Add → pick original letter).

If Disk Management won’t let you remove a letter (grayed out), you can use diskpart (Admin CMD):

• diskpart
• list volume (identify the volume number for the letter to remove)
• select volume N (replace N)
• remove letter=H (replace H with the letter you’re removing)
• exit

Notes / Warnings

• Don’t put the image on the same Seagate disk while restoring — you already did the image on C:, which is correct. Keep it off the Seagate.
• Do NOT remove or change D: — that’s the source you want to preserve.
• If you’re uncomfortable doing letter removals, use Option A (Rescue/WinPE) — that’s safest and avoids fiddling with letters.

If you want me to guide you click‑by‑click now:

• Say “Do Rescue” and I’ll walk you through creating the 4DDiG rescue USB and the restore steps from WinPE (I’ll wait for your “Done” after each click).
• Or say “Do Letters” and I’ll guide you through which letters to remove/reassign (I’ll wait for your screenshots / outputs).

Which do you want to try first?

 

[Zevik83]

Also note on screenshot that Required 0 GB changes to 32 GB as soon as I click any of the left boxes. If that changes anything you wrote, tell me. Otherwise, I am quitting for the day and will try your latest response tomorrow after having spent most of today making very little progress.

 

[ChatGPT]

Totally understandable — you’ve done enough for one day. Quick, final clarity so tomorrow’s attempt starts from a clean plan.
Short explanation of the “Required 0 KB → 32 GB” behaviour

• That change is normal and simply shows the size of the source partition you selected. It confirms 4DDiG is seeing the recovery partition (D and how much space it will write. It does NOT affect the problem (the UI auto‑mapping to H; it just confirms the source image size.

Two safe ways to get past the UI auto‑mapping (pick one tomorrow)
Option A — Recommended: Create 4DDiG Rescue USB and restore from WinPE
Why: the Rescue (WinPE) environment avoids the Windows GUI quirk and lets you pick image source and a different physical target reliably.
What to do (high level)

1. In 4DDiG (Run as Administrator) → Tools / Create Rescue Media (or “Create Rescue USB”) → write WinPE rescue to a spare small USB (8–16 GB).
2. Copy your backup image to a second USB (or keep it on C:\ where WinPE can see it).
3. Shut down, plug in: Rescue USB, Seagate (source), and 128 GB target. Boot from Rescue USB (F12/boot menu).
4. In WinPE 4DDiG choose Restore → Browse to your image → select D: (source inside the image) and select the 128 GB flash as the TARGET → enable “Fit to target / expand” and start the restore.
5. Test the 128 GB stick by booting from it.

Option B — In‑Windows workaround: temporarily remove letters so the USB is the only possible target
Why: prevents 4DDiG from auto‑choosing partitions on the same physical disk.
Exact safe steps (you can follow these tomorrow)

1. Run 4DDiG as Administrator.
2. Open Disk Management (Win+X → Disk Management).
3. For the Seagate drive, remove drive letters for every partition EXCEPT D: (the Recovery) — right‑click partition → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Remove. (This does NOT delete data; it only hides letters.
4. Reopen 4DDiG → Restore: now the RIGHT pane should show only the USB as a target. Select the USB target first, then select the D: source on the left, enable “Fit to target” and Restore.
5. After the restore, return to Disk Management and reassign the original letters (right‑click → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Add).

(If Disk Management GUI refuses, use diskpart — I can give the exact commands when you’re back.
Safety reminders

• Don’t put the image on the same Seagate (H while restoring — keep the image on a different physical drive.
• Don’t remove or change D: — that’s your source recovery partition.
• If you create Rescue USB, test booting that rescue (don’t perform a restore) to confirm Rescue works before starting the actual restore.

If you want help tomorrow

• Say “Rescue” and I’ll walk you step‑by‑step to create the rescue USB and perform the restore from WinPE (I’ll wait after each click).
• Or say “Remove letters” and I’ll guide you step‑by‑step through Disk Management (or diskpart) to hide the other Seagate letters, then restore.

Rest up — you made good progress today (imported the image, validated source size). When you’re ready tomorrow tell me which option you prefer and I’ll walk you through it click‑by‑click.

 

[Zevik83]

Well, I shutdown and then had the idea of unplugging the Seagate and just leaving the 128flash. I am now amazed that H: the Seagate partition still shows up as a source in the left panel of the screenshot I sent you. And I am not getting any changes in action as when the Seagate was plugged in, meaning checking and unchecking the various checkboxes mentioned before.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks — that detail helps. If the Seagate is unplugged but 4DDiG still shows its partition entries, the app is using its backup catalog / a cached view instead of live device enumeration. You can still force a clean restore by importing the image and selecting the target explicitly (or using the Rescue/WinPE route). Below are the shortest, safest next steps (try them in order). I’ll wait if you want me to walk through any step.
Quick checklist to fix now (try each in order)
1) Quit and restart 4DDiG as Administrator (simple refresh)

• Close 4DDiG completely.
• Right‑click 4DDiG → Run as administrator.
• Open Restore and check the dropdown — cached Seagate entries often disappear after a full restart.

2) Use the Import (folder/download) icon — then pick the image file again

• In the Restore window click the small folder/download icon to import your saved image (you used this earlier).
• Navigate to the exact file (C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents\4DDIG_Recovery\yourfilename.*) and import.
• After import, in the dropdown choose the imported entry (it may display as “User Import” or the image name). That creates a virtual source (an image) rather than listing the physical Seagate disk.
• Now expand the LEFT pane under that imported image — you should see the partition(s) inside the image (they appear as a virtual disk entry, not Disk0). Tick the partition inside the imported image (this is the SOURCE).

3) Select the USB target FIRST (avoid auto‑mapping)

• On the RIGHT pane expand the 128GB USB entry (the one that says “General USB Flash Disk” or shows ~116–128 GB).
• Tick the USB partition checkbox first (so 4DDiG knows you intend to restore to that physical device).
• Then tick the SOURCE partition in the imported image (left). The center should show the mapping image → USB. If H: or any Seagate entry re‑appears, ignore it — ensure only the USB is checked on the right.

If the UI still auto‑checks Seagate partitions and prevents selecting the USB:
4) Refresh the target list (or use the refresh icon)

• In your screenshot there’s a refresh icon on the right pane — click that to re‑enumerate disks. Then reselect the USB target and the imported image source.

5) If UI still insists on linking to Seagate, use the temporary‑hide trick (safe)

• Disk Management method (reversible and safe):
  • Win+X → Disk Management.
  • For the Seagate disk remove drive letters for every partition EXCEPT the Recovery D: (right‑click → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Remove). This only hides letters — it does NOT delete data.
  • Reopen 4DDiG (Run as Admin), import the image, select the USB as target (right) and the imported image partition as source (left), then Restore.
  • After success, reassign the original letters in Disk Management.

6) Rescue/WinPE method (most robust — avoids Windows UI quirks)

• Create a 4DDiG Rescue USB (Tools → Create Rescue Media).
• Boot the machine from that Rescue USB (with both the Seagate and the 128GB flash plugged in).
• In the WinPE environment use Restore → browse to the image (on C: or another USB) → choose the 128GB flash as the target. WinPE avoids the Windows app’s auto‑mapping problems.

One more note about the “Required 0 KB → 32 GB” change you saw

• That simply shows the image/source size when you tick the source — it confirms the correct source was selected. It doesn’t change the steps above; it’s only a sanity indicator.

If you want me to guide you step‑by‑step

• Say “Import done — ready to pick target” after you re‑import the image and I’ll tell you exactly which checkboxes to click (or to remove) based on what appears.
• Or say “Do Rescue” and I’ll walk you through creating the rescue USB and the WinPE restore flow.

If you’re done for today, that’s fine — you have the two reliable routes for tomorrow (hide letters or Rescue/WinPE). I’ll be here whenever you want to continue.

 

[Zevik83]

So I have the User Import showing in the top long rectangle "Select Backup to Restore" and nothing I do gets it to show under the ;left panel dropdown arrow. NJote that without the Seagate connected,, D and H show on the left. So your suggestion to hide drives on the Seagate when it mis connected using Disk Manager does not apply. Same drives H and Db show now when I have reconnected the Seagate. Clicking the Restore button still gives the error msg I listed before "Source/target not defined".

Remember that I am on the Lenovo laptop, and Recovery file is for the currently inoperable Dell.m So your Item 6 Rescue/WinPE does not apply.

What now?