Secure boot causes EaseUS Todo restore to fail?

[Timeking]

Windows latest update scrambled my apps and files.  When I attempted to use EaseUS Todo Backup and Restore [Home edition] to restore laptop, the Restore function correctly identified my full backup file (PBD) but then reported 'error', quit back to home screen, and (Yay!!!) made the drive 'unallocated'.    All gone.

My question is:  Can Secure Boot cause a restore to fail, since Secure Boot prevents non-signed executables and drivers from loading?  The EaseUS USB boot thumb drive is in EXT4 format.

I can't test this theory because my laptop is now in possession of Best Buy Geek Squad. 

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Timeking 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

t’s frustrating when an issue like this happens, especially when it results in data loss and uncertainty over the cause. Based on your situation, I think Secure Boot could indeed play a role in causing the EaseUS Todo Backup restore to fail, especially if there are issues with non-signed executables or drivers, but there are also other potential contributing factors.

1. How Secure Boot Could Cause Issues with EaseUS Todo Restore

Secure Boot is a security feature in modern systems designed to ensure that only trusted and signed software (typically Microsoft and OEM-approved drivers and executables) can run during the boot process. If EaseUS Todo Backup's bootable media (the USB drive in your case) includes unsigned drivers or executables, Secure Boot might block them from loading, leading to failures during the restore process.

• EaseUS Todo Backup might rely on drivers or executables that aren't signed, and Secure Boot would block them from running.
• If your laptop has Secure Boot enabled by default (as many newer models do), it could prevent the bootable USB from loading or running correctly.

2. EXT4 Format and Compatibility

• EaseUS Todo Backup typically creates bootable USB media in FAT32 or NTFS formats, which are widely supported by both BIOS and UEFI systems. However, you mentioned that your USB drive is formatted in EXT4, which is more commonly used in Linux-based environments. This could present another challenge:
  • If the system has Secure Boot enabled, and your USB drive is in EXT4 format, the system might not be able to recognize the drive properly.
  • Windows-based boot tools (including EaseUS) often require the media to be formatted in a format like FAT32 or NTFS to work with UEFI/BIOS systems properly.

A reformat to a more compatible file system (FAT32 or NTFS) might resolve some issues, particularly with Secure Boot interfering with the loading of the USB drive.

3. What Happened with the Drive Becoming 'Unallocated'

• When the EaseUS Todo Backup failed and returned to the home screen, making the drive "unallocated" might be a result of the system or the software failing to recognize the drive properly, especially if it had tried to format the partition or make changes that it couldn’t fully execute due to restrictions (like Secure Boot).
• This also suggests that the restore process didn’t proceed as planned, leaving the system in a corrupted or unformatted state.

What You Can Do (When You Get Your Laptop Back):

Check Secure Boot Settings:

• When you get your laptop back, check your BIOS/UEFI settings to see if Secure Boot is enabled.
• Disable Secure Boot temporarily in the BIOS/UEFI to see if it allows EaseUS Todo Backup to load properly.

Reformat the USB Drive:

• Reformat the EaseUS Todo Backup USB media using a supported file system like FAT32 or NTFS.
• If you're using EaseUS's built-in media creation tool, it should format the USB drive in a compatible format for Windows and UEFI systems.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Sneha_01

HP Support