Windows 7 - Unable to create system image or restore point

I currently can't make a system image or restore point.

The error I receive for the system image attempt is:

The backup failed.

Windows Backup timed-out before the shared protection point was created. (0x80780021)

Additional Information:
The creation of a shadow copy has timed out. Try this operation again. (0x81000101)

When I attempt a restore point it gives me the (0x81000101) error.


Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

How large is your backup drive?

I have a 500gb hd and 50gb backup. You should have at least 40 gb or more.

It has around 70gb available out of 500. The disk image should only be @ 40gb.

Go to help and support. Type in system restore turn off. Follow the instructions to make sure it is turned on.

My first guess was VSS, you can check the VSS logs by opening Event Viewer and going to
Application and Services Logs
Microsoft
Windows
(I just checked on mine and I can't see the 'Hyper-VSS' folder that I was expecting to direct you to next. Hmm.... check the following folders as they look promising).
- Backup
- Recovery
- Windows Backup

I also found this Win7 Ultimate x64 backup fails - The creation of a shadow copy has timed out. Try this operation again. (0x81000101)

Good Luck

Rich - System restore is turned on. In "Services" I have both Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider and Volume Shadow Copy started automatically.

Tim - Is there anything I should be specifically looking for? I'm a bit a newbie when it comes to really delving into the depths of Windows.

Thanks for your replies.

I am trying to go one step at a time, each step becoming a little more difficult. But, at some point we should be able to solve this problem.

Go into safe mode and try to do a system restore.

Thanks for your help, Rich. I'm unable to do a system restore, because I don't have any restore points (surely due to tinkering with restore earlier today).

The problem may be caused by a corrupted restore point that is still in the system. Turn off system restore, turn it back on and then try to create a restore point. This deletes any restore points. Go to help and support, type in turn off system restore and lets see what happens now.

Agreed, this usually works.

@fr0gger - Sorry for not explaining (i've been doing that a bit today!)

What you are looking for in the logs is any error messages or failure points that you could post here to help us troubleshoot for you.

First take Rich's good advice and turn restore off and then on again. Then if it doesn't fix it, check the logs and see if any additional information (especially errors) are written.

To access the event viewer, right click on 'computer' and choose 'manage'.