Windows 7 Backup Fails to Start

Here is an unexpected situation. None of my USB sticks are being detected by Windows. I know they have all worked with no problems in the past. And I know the USB port is working because I have a wireless USB in one port.

Maybe this is a clue to the underlying problem?

Thanks again, Jim

You can't backup TO drive C: or G:, They have system files on them. Windows will not allow you to backup to a disk that has system files. That's what's in the reserved area. If you intend to use drive G: as a backup disk, it must be cleaned completely to remove the Reserved Area.

I see I missed a few pages. I was going to delete the post but thought it may be benificial to others and save pages of trials and errors. Besides, you'd have no one to make fun of. :)

Don't worry - after all that has been suggested, the OP could have done a clean install as suggested earlier. Also a "clean all" on D: and reformat.

karlsnooks said:

hawkeye62 said:

Here is an unexpected situation. None of my USB sticks are being detected by Windows. I know they have all worked with no problems in the past. And I know the USB port is working because I have a wireless USB in one port.

Maybe this is a clue to the underlying problem? Could be.

Thanks again, Jim

Let's try this.

Take a USB stick that you can "sacrifice" to testing.

Connect the stick.

Now let's try to clean and prepare that stick:
PREPARE A USB STICK
Ctrl + Esc | type Cmd in the “Search Box’ | hit Enter|
Type DISKPART | hit Enter

Enter following DISKPART commands:
List disk (optional to help you specify the correct “index” number)
select disk 1 (for the case of 1 hard drive, assigned index of 0, and 1 USB stick)
detail disk (info will help verify that you’ve selected the desired USB stick)
clean all {write zeroes to all bytes of selected disk)
create partition primary {create a primary partition|
select partition 1 {select the partition you just created)
active (mark the partition as Active, ie, a system bootable partition)
format fs=ntfs (format the partition as ntfs)
assign (assign next available drive letter to the volume)
exit (exit DISKPART and return to the command-shell prompt)

Type EXIT | hit ENTER Exit from the command-shell.

OK, will try when I get back. I did a Sweeper with CD on Oct 10. Trojan Window something Malat was found and deleted.

Regards, Jim

Layback Bear said:

Do I understand correctly? Four days ago you were infected and you just now are letting us know. Even after removing a infection the damage or changes it could of made might not be repaired.

As I said earlier, I was out of town. Hotel had pay $12 per day wireless. (Typical in Vegas.) I found an Apple store and used one of their IPads to Email the trojan finding. Trojan was Win32/Malat.

Jim

karlsnooks said:

hawkeye62 said:

Here is an unexpected situation. None of my USB sticks are being detected by Windows. I know they have all worked with no problems in the past. And I know the USB port is working because I have a wireless USB in one port.

Maybe this is a clue to the underlying problem? Could be.

Thanks again, Jim

Let's try this.

Take a USB stick that you can "sacrifice" to testing.

Connect the stick.

Now let's try to clean and prepare that stick:
PREPARE A USB STICK
Ctrl + Esc | type Cmd in the “Search Box’ | hit Enter|
Type DISKPART | hit Enter

Enter following DISKPART commands:
List disk (optional to help you specify the correct “index” number)
select disk 1 (for the case of 1 hard drive, assigned index of 0, and 1 USB stick)
detail disk (info will help verify that you’ve selected the desired USB stick)
clean all {write zeroes to all bytes of selected disk)
create partition primary {create a primary partition|
select partition 1 {select the partition you just created)
active (mark the partition as Active, ie, a system bootable partition)
format fs=ntfs (format the partition as ntfs)
assign (assign next available drive letter to the volume)
exit (exit DISKPART and return to the command-shell prompt)

Type EXIT | hit ENTER Exit from the command-shell.

Diskpart only shows HDD 0 and 1.

I think this failure to see a USB stick started after the update I did most recently. All of those optional updates had to do with USB.

Jim