Windows 7: Irritating backup error 8070002 and 8100002F - has anyone solved this?

I've looked on so many forums for an answer to this problem and still not found an answer that works Have just done two backups in the last two days with the following results:

2013-03-04

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\my name\Saved Games. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

Details also specified error code 8100002F

2013-03-05

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\my name\Saved Games. Error: (The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

With 8100002F again.

Both were normal Windows backups letting Windows choose and were done on different external usb hard drives (just in case it was the specific drive causing a problem) but the result was the same. Microsoft's advice site regarding these errors doesn't work - I don't seem to have the error descriptions they specify in any case.

End summary in both cases: Backup completed but some files were skipped.

This is probably very boring as so many people are obviously having very similar problems, but I just want to know if these backups are useable - i.e. can they be used to restore my system should it be necessary?

Hi b52 and welcome to Seven Forums. You may want to have a look at this Microsoft answer. Error code 0x8100002F and or error code 0x80070002 when you back up files in Windows 7.
I have also had similar problems when a folder is explicitly included in the backup that has been deleted. The solution in this case is just to run the backup configuration wizard again.

Thank you kado897 for taking the time to try and help I have however seen the Microsoft answer (on several forums) and studied it - none of the scenarios seem to fit the specific error I'm getting, wish they did! I did try the scenario 3 answer but that didn't apply either.

I don't see how "saved games" would affect a backup - it seems so trivial but of course it isn't if it prevents a successful backup. There is quite a lot of information backed up on the usb drives I used, is it useless - after all the backup did complete, just skipped this strange file. (Just in case it was anything to do with games statistics on the standard games installed on most computers I cleared them as the second backup was starting, same end result - this error)

Would you explain in more detail what you mean by 'run the backup configuration again' - on one occasion when I opted to choose what to back up I was totally confused as to what to select, so I went back and opted for the "let Windows choose" option as it seemed straightforward, maybe it isn't?

I'll be grateful for any help you or anyone else can offer - I am not particularly technical so I need all the help I can get.

Ah. I think my scenario only applies if you chose what to backup yourself. I that situation if you include folder A in the backup configuration and later delete or move folder A you can get that error as backup goes looking for it. This only applies to the actual folder specified, any subfolders can be added or deleted without problems.

I'm not sure whether the backup is OK after the error. My feeling is that it is but you would need to test it.

I understand kado, but I don't want to have to test a backup until and unless I need to, for I hope obvious reasons? I see what you meant by your situation and thank you for your efforts.

Perhaps some-one else is having a similar problem to me and can offer advice?

Fair enough b52. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Solved!

Finally got the problem sorted myself. I simply entered Saved Games in the windows search box – it gave one location under C: Users/Default user and it was an empty folder! However that same silly empty folder did NOT exist under my main user name so I copied it over. So now the same one exists under both users (but not the public user, just main name and default ones).

I then formatted my first download drive and did a full Windows backup (letting Windows choose) – backup completed successfully, joy.

I just wanted to mark this as resolved in case it might possibly help some-one else, but thanks for the help given – it made me think about the problem and how to get it sorted out.

Good news b52. Thanks for posting back.