Unable to see MS Mirror Images on external HDD

Hi Guys
I need to reinstall an image that has previously been reinstalled from an external HDD. All of my Windows 8.1 Pro MS Mirror Images are not displayed when the recovery process starts and I try to navigate to the correct image on the HDD I want to select to reinstall. Everything for Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit whether HP laptop or Surface Pro 2, is not offered/missing from the option list. But the process does offer me my various images for different Windows 7 64 bit computers!
I have tried 3 different external HDD's, all with the same results...No Images of Windows 8.1 offered to reinstall, but the images are on the various HDD's as I can navigate to them, see them and the space they occupy, when I check the disk drives and hardware connected to the computer prior to the recovery process.
Does anyone have any ideas why the images are MIA for the recovery process?
I am familiar with the recovery process, so I know it has worked in the past and the particular Image I want to install has been installed before.
I do have a corrupted sfc /scannow folder...which occurred today after installing 1 important and 5 option updates from MS...would that effect the process?
In anticipation of help
Thanks

Have you tried creating a Windows 8.1 recovery disk and recovering the system image using it to boot the computer?

Hi James903
Thank you for your reply...Yes, that is the method I always use.
I have also tried using the password that was used when the images where created...does not accept, but when I access the data on the HDD I am prompted that I do not have Permission, continue? double clicking on the message lets me see the data files. I have also now selected "Share" in security tab on the drive to entered "Everyone" This is just very confusing.

Yes Macrium Reflect is much easier with out issues for your future you should check it out. Free Version will do Images paid version will back up files and folders. Sorry I can't help with the windows version never has been reliable for me in the past so never tried in win 8

Hi Clintigm. Thanks for the info. I have spent the day reinstalling the OS and when finished I need another Imaging program. So...Do you really recommend Macrium free and have you used it on different 8.1Pro machines and what about frequency? When I am done I need to research the program
Thanks again

Question, are by chance the windows 7 x64 images that of an MBR disk? And the windows 8 images that of a GPT disk ?

Maybe, it is the method that the Recovery Media is booting into

Legacy vs. UEFI

I do have a corrupted sfc /scannow folder...which occurred today after installing 1 important and 5 option updates from MS...would that effect the process?

Click to expand...

SFC has a know issue of flagging some MS files a corrupt.. these are tracing files and unless you remove the offending update, they will remain..
Which is not an issue either.. Or stop using SFC and use dism /scanhealth