Windows 7 - backup error message

I have been using Windows 7's backup program to create image and file backups saved to an external drive (Toshiba 500GB). I get an error message upon completion of each backup. Exploring the external drive's files confirms that the backup has been completed.

See attached screenshots. One is the error message (files_skipped). The other is details (which_files). The backup is configured to backup C: drive. It makes no sense to me that I receive an error message concerning Z: drive.

Is it possible that I configured the backup task improperly? How can I prevent the warning message?

Thanks for your help.
drpepper

The best way you can avoid such problems is to use a decent and reliable imaging program rather than this capricious Windows imaging. It will give you nothing but headaches and if you are able to recover with it, you will be lucky.

My suggestion would be free Macrium or free Paragon. Imaging with free Macrium

Is your Toshiba 500gb drive Z on your "My computer" listing?

Gromit1710,

Yes, the Toshiba 500GB is Z: drive. My apologies, I should have said so. In spite of the longer reply to whs (below), I would like to know if there is a solution to the problem I posted. Even if I choose to use a different backup program, it may be helpful to me when my friends have problems and call me.

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whs,

I have been using backups for about two years, but fortunately(?) have never had occasion to attempt to perform any restore tasks. Therefore, you may be able to help me understand a few things regarding the proper choice of backup programs and procedures. I will start with what I found in the home pages for macrium and paragon. Then I will pose some questions.

1) Macrium free does not include differential, incremental, file, or folder backup tasks.
2) Paragon free includes differential and full backup. Included are data, Operating System, software,drivers, and settings.

Am I correct in the following?
1) If my understanding is correct, macrium free offers only image backup.
2) Paragon free's term full backup and the included listing describes an image backup.
3) An image backup is preferable because programs do not have to be reinstalled and configured, all settings and preferences are saved, and restoring an image is a one step procedure.
4) Differential and incremental backups after an image backup are quicker than an image backup.
5) A useful backup strategy to employ is to have an image backup followed by several differential or incremental backups. After a predetermined number of differential or incremental backups, start the cycle over and delete the backups in the previous cycle.
6) Paragon's available backup tasks would make it easier to restore individual folders or files.

Thank you both for your replies.

drpepper

Yes it is. The problem you have is probably that you have a folder that is on you backup drive in a library. If you go into backup configuration and tick "let me chose" you can exclude any folders on you backup drive.

kado897,

It looks like you nailed it. There is a library entry for the backup drive. This is my first experience with Windows 7. I bet I did this while trying to grasp the concept of Libraries. (I don't feel real smart right now.)

Anyway... The library is empty when the external drive is not connected. With the external drive connected it shows the backup files contained in the external drive. Can I safely delete this library to resolve the problem, or am I better off excluding the file as you recommended?

Thanks for your guidance.
drpepper

If you want to keep the folder in a library then you should reconfigure backup. If however you no longer want the folder in a library then if this is a library you created yourself then you can delete it. If it is a folder you have included in a standard library (music, documents, videos,pictures) the you should remove the folder from the library.

You are right on all accounts. Given the choice, you should take differentials, not incrementals (because they are a chain and if that breaks you lose everything).

I prefer full backups though (that is why I use free Macrium). They are much easier to manage and the bit more external disk space in not a big deal where we now work with 1TB and bigger external disks. Time is no factor either because you can run the imaging in the background.

I also recommend to image to 2 different disks - I alternate so that I can even exclude a failure of one external disk.

You can even make Macrium backups and recoveries without installing Macrium. Version 4.2 of Macrium (which works very well) is on the free Hirens DVD. You find Macrium in the program list of the XP environment. There are a lot of other useful programs too.

Version 5.0 of free Macrium you can run from the WinPE CD of Macrium. But then you have to install it at least once so that you can burn the CD (which is a little lengthy because they have to download WAIK from Microsoft).

kado897,

Thanks for the guidance. I deleted the offending library entries, and ran a backup to test the results. The backup completed successfully, there were no error messages. My problem was that I thought the message was referring to the external drive, not the library entry.

whs,

Thanks for the answers and advice. I had been using windows backup on the new laptop while trying to decide what program would suit me the best. My XP machine uses Acronis. I am sick of the nag update and upgrade messages. I paid good money for it and received no useful support when I had issues or questions. Customer support acted as if I was unimportant because I was not using it for a business application. Their forum treated me like my inquiries were not worthy of their time.

The combination of your advice in this thread and the sitcky threads should go a long way toward providing me with a free solution.

Thanks again to all who provided guidance in this thread.

drpepper

Glad to help drpepper. The tutorials section is worth a look also.