Windows 7: Cannot Backup SSD Paragon TrueImage Macrium, etc HELP!

Running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit on brand new Thinkpad Edge. Installed a Kingston 128GB SSD VNow. I installed off the system restore discs. No problem. System runs great.

I went to setup backup using Acronis TrueImage Home (latest versions 2011 Update 1) I have my SSD partioned into C (OS) and D (Data Files). When I try to make an image backup of C: (and the SYSTEM DRV partition) the system freezes for a moment and then Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) about 1/3 through the backup.

So I tried Paragon Backup. Same thing. But at some point I stopped getting BSOD and starting getting VSS can't read volume data. I tried changing Paragon Hot Swapping Setting to always on per Paragon forum post I saw. No difference.

So then I tried Macrium Reflect. Same thing. BSOD roughly between 1/4 and 1/2 through C-Drive image.

I did notice that it appears if I'm not using the computer the crash doesn't happen so soon but as soon as I start browsing the web a few minutes later I get the BSOD. I don't get the BSOD at any other time, only when backing up the drive.



I went into BIOS and changed SATA from AHCI to Compatibility mode but Windows fails to boot when I try that.

I verified TRIM is active so it knows it is using SSD. Although the C-Drive is showing Defrag option still but I think that is okay.

This is driving me nuts. I need to backup my drive!

Hard to tell. But here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Did you check the alignment of the SSD SSD Alignment
2. Did you run chkdsk /r in case there is any corruption
3. Since you say it occurs when you run other things in the foreground, does it work if you just let it run by itself.
4. Did you try to image the partitions one by one rather than combining them in one run.

Hope you can figure it out. I image SSDs with Macrium all the time and never saw anything alike.

I would follow the suggestions whs has given.

This sounds to me like there may be a issue with the drive itself.


I use Acronis and have never had such issues, even when browising the web, listening to music during a Automated backup.


The fact that all backup attempts seem to run into the same problem with various programs does seem to point to a drive issue.

Looks like it is the drive.

Will reformatting help? Seems odd to have this problem when drive has been barely used? Bummer I can't even make an image copy so it will take hours to reinstall my dozens of apps., OR, could it be some sort of hardware compatibility issue or configuration problem.


Maybe Kingston SSD is crap or faulty and I need to just go back to Corsair Xtreme like I used before on my other laptop?

Help!

Please check c:/windows/minidump for any .dmp files and zip them up and attach them to your next post and we'll take a look at them...

No minidump directory in c:\windows

Microsoft.NET then ModemLogs

Did you remove your page file?

No. Most backup programs ignore the paging file. I also don't recall reading you can't have a pagefile if you have an SSD? My pagefile is set to be fixed at 4GB. I have 4GB physical RAM. I would think if you had apps open that needed more than 4GB of ram you would want to have a paging file setup?

Removed pagefile just for the hell of it. Ran CHKDSK /R. Crashed with BSOD and I caught the error message at the top: bad_system_config_info

There is definitely something wrong with the drive. I had a similar problem once with an early OCZ Vertex 2 years ago. I returned it to Newegg and got a new one that worked. That is what I would suggest in this case too. You are wasting more time on it than it is worth.

In the meantime you can complete the installation on the HDD the laptop came with and then image that to the replacement SSD - not sure I would get another Kingston (which I think is essentially an Intel). A Vertex or a Crucial C300 might be a better choice.