Windows 7: Windows 7 Backup Fails to Start

Can you now perform the backup?

Which partition(s) to you wish to back up?

Where do you want to put the backup?

No, Backup fails to start with the same error message.

I want to backup both partitions on HDD 0 (C) to HDD 1 (D).

Thanks, Jim

Here is a snip showing the error I get if I click, "Create a system image", or "Change Settings", or "Options > Change Settings". By the way, I physically removed HDD 1 (D) and re-installed it as had been suggested. As I expected, it did not solve the problem.

Regards, Jim

Hawkeye,
I know that you don't think this makes any sense, but:
Physically remove Disk 2.
Leave Disk 2 removed until this problem is solved.
Disconnect from any network.

Make a fresh snapshot of DiskManagement output and include with your next post.

Now can you backup the one partition (ignoring the reserved partition) to a partition on disk 1?

NO, BACKUP NEVER STARTS. See the failure screen in the snip in my last post.

Tell me what you mean by "physically remove disk 2". Disk 0 is my system/boot HDD, disk 1 is the HDD I want to put the backup on, disk 2 is attached to an external SATA port. I can disconnect the SATA cable, I can power it down.

I will be out of town until October 15th. I will still be able to read Email and read the Forum, but no access to the PC in question.

Thanks, Jim

Have an enjoyable trip.

The Disk 1 is presently 100% empty.

Would you run a test for me and:
1. copy, but not move, a folder and files over to there.
2. Using Windows Explorer can you read, change, add to, delete from the folder and files on Disk 1?
3. When finished, perform a quick format of Disk 1.

Yes, I was able to copy a folder full of files from "C" to "D", and do all of the usual file operations. After a quick format, all that is left is a System Volume folder.

Thanks, Jim

I see that we haven't run the System File Checker.

Please read following tutorial first and then if SFC doesn't give you a clean bill of health the three times: run sfc, reboot.

Help that you don't end up with files that need to be replaced as that is a little bit of a pain.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

OK, "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations." I ran it three times just for kicks. Got the same message three times.

Thanks, Jim

Sure wish the easy fixes would be the case.

OK. this next procedure is going to take serveral hours. I need you to run a full scan using the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper over disk 0 and disk 1. Disk 1 shold go very quick.

PUT SYSTEM SWEEPER ON A USB STICK
System Sweeper, https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper, allows you to start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to identify and remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware. System Sweeper is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.


NOTE: A fine tutorial on the System Sweeper is:
How to use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper


Download System Sweeper (about 576 kB):
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Insert 256 MB or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
Choose the option to install to USB.
Caution: The install program will format the usb stick.

The install program will download about 200 mB more.
After the install is finished, leave the stick in the usb slot.

Run the program you downloaded once again.
This 2nd run, and any subsequent runs, will download the very latest anti-virus definitions (about 60 mB).

To keep System Sweeper up-to-date, simply reinsert the usb stick and run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.

The initial, full scan by System Sweeper can easily take several hours, but subsequent quick scans will be shorter.
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

The results of System Sweeper will be in:
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support as one or more files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.