Backup problems and error

I had the same problem once. The problem was the 100MB partition. If there is not at least 40 MB of free space there, you cannot do a system image. That has been a common problem for many people. Microsoft is aware of the issue and either cannot or have not found a solution. The only work arounds I am aware of involve a clean install. That was the only way I fixed mine - without the dreaded 100 MB partition.

All I can tell you is that it has worked for me - so far.

Try a different backup program like Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect (Free)?

karlsnooks said:

Interesting approach.

I do believe that you didn't exactly record the steps.

Would you do me a favor an review what you wrote?

Was you objective to make the normal 100 mb partition larger?

Incidentally, I've never run across the problem you described nor does the backup software require a certain amount of space in the 100 mb partition. Remember some of us have completely eliminated the 100 mb partition.

I had this same problem and went to microsofts discussion board. There were many people who wewe having this same issue. According to many of the microdft employees there, when you do a system image, it places a temp. folder in the 100MB partition-that is where it stores the information for the backup, it then downloads that info from the temp folder to your backup location and then does the same again until the system image is complete. after the system image the temp folder removes itself. However, there must be a minimum of 40MB of free space in the 100MB partition in order to do any backup. That is why many people have done away with the 100MB partition, so that this does not happen. I believe that many backup programs esp. Acronis put their own folder in there for their backups and cause this problem. If you will check, Acronis for one completly takes over the backup protion of control pannel at intallation. Many of the backup programs work using the systems restore points in order to do their backups. I had to do a complete reinstallation to solve the problem. I formatted the 100 MB partition, but left it there. Then I formatted the rest of the disk and installed windows 7 there. It seems that if it is installed behind anoyher partition, it will not create the 100 MB partition. Since I have done that, I have had no problems at all. the 100MB partition is still thereb but it is just unallocated space now. I guess I could remove it and explnd thr C drive but I have not tried. I am using a 1TB disk and figured 100MB would not make any difference to me.

All of the info i have told you here is from Microsofts own people. They have been aware of the prob;em for over 1 1/2 years and have no come up with a solution yet. BTW, according to them, if you remove the 100MB partition, your system will not boot. It begins the boot and then hands it off to the C drive. That is why the 100mb partition is the active partition. Even those people who have managed to expand that partition (480MB's is the max. according to Msft) whatever is causing the problem has filled up that space also. If you disagree with any of this, please don't argue with me. All of this is according to microsoft. That is one of the many reasons many people, like me, have done away with that 100MB partition. Although MSFT people claim it is better to have your boot section seperate from your OS. All that I know is I dont and it is working well for me. But because of the problems mentioned in this post is why I and many others I understand, have done away with the 100MB boot partition. Hope this helps- it took me days af research to understand why I was having those problems.

It is for these reasons that I use Acronis Home Image 2010 for all of my backup needs... It is a very flexible, feature rich application, and it has NEVER failed me. I guess you could call me a fanboi, but with few exceptions (Macrium Reflect) most free backup programs just dont get it for me.... NB: opinions may vary.