Windows 7: Windows 7 Backup Fails to Start

I see a disk icon with a red X next to it and (D) Disconnected. BUT, (D) is not disconnected. And if I try to change the settings, I get the same error. I also uninstalled the (D) disk in device manager and rebooted so Windows would re-install it.

I have been doing a lot of experimenting with backups, making images, clones, etc. I think I made an image with Windows 7 Backup on (D) and then some time later I formatted (D).

Regards, Jim

A disk icon with a red X should not affect the operation over on the left "Create a System image". When you select "Create a system image" Windows goes looking for available partitions to store an image. You are not locked into any partition which may have been setup in the regular Backup schedule settings.

"Change Settings" allows you to select another backup location for your file/folder backups (and image if you have that box ticked). Unless you explicitly assign a letter to an external HDD partition, the letter may change next time you connect the HDD. This would give you a red X.
I wouldn't expect "Change Settings" or the red X to have an impact on your specific problem.

If you have access to another external HDD with plenty of space do you still get an error?

"Change Settings" results in the same error. I am not able to do any action on the Backup page. Pushing any button on that page results in the same error. The "D" drive has 500GB of free space.

Thanks for your continued help, Jim

Maybe you could post a full Disk management screen shot showing all attached HDDs.
Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums
I was basically saying that I wouldn't have expected the "change settings and the red cross to affect the problem you are describing.

A red X does mean something. It means that the system (IT Department) or Windows 7 doesn't understand or allow what you are trying to do. A post as mjf requested would help. That is why I request to unhook the drive and hook it back up. It sound like a I.T. Department problem to me.

Hawkeye,
Please post a pic of your disk management display.

Pay careful attention to this write-up, especially the part about dragging the field separators so that no field is truncated.

HOW TO POST A SNAPSHOT OF DISK MANAGEMENT DISPLAY
Run disk management:
WIN | type DISKMGMT.MSC | ENTER
WIN is the key with the wavy flag.

Maximize the output of Disk Management:
ALT-Spacebar key combo (this pops up a menu) followed by X key (selects Maximize) |
Drag the field separators (such as between Status and Capacity) to show entire field. This is very important, otherwise, needed info is not visible.

Make a snapshot:
WIN | type SNIPPING | ENTER | New
Drag the cursor around the area you want to snip.
File | Save as | select save location and name | Save

Post the snapshot:
Upload a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums

Here is a current screenshot from my main PC.

The red cross (inside the green region) means nothing when it comes to "Create a System Image" (inside the yellow region). I make images this way ALL the time.
It means that until I plug in my HDD (partition in fact) assigned the letter "P" I cannot run a "File/folder" backup unless I change the default location using "Change settings"

I have said all this before. This is not an opinion guys this is a fact.
My understanding all along is that the OP is talking about doing a "Create a system image" - inside the yellow highlighted area.

OK guys, here are two snips, Disk Management and Disk Backup. Drive "G" is a clone of drive "C" which I made with Macrium Reflect. Drive "D" was used in the past to make an image of "C" with Windows 7 Backup, but I formatted it after some experimenting with some other backup software. (Macrium Reflect and Acronis.)

Since I uninstalled "D" with Device Manager and rebooted so Windows would re-install it, what additional benefit would be derived from physically removing and re-installing it? I really don't want to take the box out of the cabinet, open the case, disconnect the drive, etc, etc, unless absolutely necessary.

Pressing any key on the Backup page results in the Server failed to connect 0x80080005 error. Create an image on the left panel or trying to change any setting, etc. all result in the error message. Edit: Actually anything that needs to start Backup fails. I can turn on and off the schedule, look for another backup image, etc.

Thanks for all of the help, Jim

Maybe I missed it but Disk 2 is new information. You need to be careful and it is generally not a good idea to have 2 "cloned" disks connected at the same time.

You can try the following:
1) disconnect disk 2 and make sure your PC still boots
2) Reassign a new volume letter to disk 1 (D: ) ....say G
3) reboot
4) go back into "change settings" and see what happens

OK done, "change settings" brings up Backup which still fails with the same error message.

I put "G" drive in service to see if Backup would recognize it as a place to put images. It doesn't. I usually have "G" powered down. It is connected to an external SATA port and has a separate power supply, so all I have to do is turn off the power to the enclosure.

This is very frustrating. I am very disappointed in Windows 7. Seems to be way too fragile. I even tried the Upgrade Install to try and "fix" Windows 7 by the method shown on this forum. When I used Vista SP 2 as compatibility mode, the install failed with message that Windows 7 Professional could not be upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. And when I tried with Windows 7 compatibility mode it failed with a message that installed version is newer than the upgrade. So, I can't do any install except a fresh install which I would very much like to avoid.

Thanks for your continued help, Jim