Cannot Open Backup and Restore

I cannot open Backup and Restore from the Control Panel, either under Backup and Restore or Action Center. The Backup and Restore application is working and makes backups as previously configured. However, I cannot open the application to check my settings. I don't understand how the application can continue to work as configured yet I'm not able to open it.

I don't know when the problem started. I have an original Acronis backup saved from the time the computer was purchased in February of this year. It's a new Dell Studio XPS 7100 with factory installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I don't particularly want to go back that far in restoring the system. I've run the sfc /scannow command to no avail. The problem occurs in all three user accounts, including the true Administrator account which is not used. The problem also occurs in Safe Mode. I doubt if I have a System Restore point going back far enough to regain the ability to open the Backup and Restore application.

To the best of my knowledge I cannot use the OEM installation disk to repair the system files. My settings in Services are correct, the Backup and Restore being set to Manual and Started. Is there a way to check the Backup and Restore entries in the registry to determine if everything is as it should be? If so, where in the registry are the entries located and what are the entries and their values?

I use Microsoft Security Essentials in real time and manually start Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, Avira AntiVir and SUPERAntiSpyware on a periodic basis to further check for malware. No malware has been detected. I don't see any functions of any of the malware applications that would interfere with Backup and Restore.

I'm not overly concerned about the problem since I use Acronis to create periodic backups. I simply wish to be able to open the Backup and Restore application. I've researched this problem for several days and have not been able to arrive at a solution.

Thank you in advance for any assistance provided.

C.B.

Hey HammerHead,

Yes, I have Acronis True Image Home installed. I DID NOT integrate Acronis with Windows Backup and Restore when I installed Acronis. I use both Acronis and the native Windows Backup and Restore, on different days of the week, doing weekly backups from both applications. I'm a firm believer in redundancy. I was always able to use both applications with no problems but I've lost the ability to open the Windows Backup and Restore Application.

I'm going to try to use the Dell OEM installation disk, which is labeled "Reinstallation DVD Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit" to do a repair. If that is not successful I'll try to use Microsoft's Windows 7 64-bit Repair Disc I downloaded from this website: Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs — The NeoSmart Files

I've already burned the ISO image to a CD-R. I'll let you know which method works and whether or not I was succesful. If the CD-R doesn't work I'll burn the ISO with a DVD-R and try again.

Thank you for your prompt reply. I appreciate it very much. Have a nice day.

C.B.

Hey HammerHead,

Yes I did. It is set to the default, Manual and Started.

C.B.

Hey Hammerhead,

I thought about setting it to Automatic but everything I researched stated that Manual is the default setting for Windows 7 Ultimate. The default setting for Home Premium, or possibly Vista, is Automatic. I did in fact set it to Automatic Delayed and Automatic, rebooted and tried to open Backup and Restore, to no avail, so I reset it to the default of Manual.

This tutorial may also be of interest to reset windows backup
Backup User and System Files - Reset to Default Configuration

Well, the deed is done and the results are in. I used the Dell installation DVD to do a repair and nothing was accomplished. It returned no errors. I then tried to do an upgrade install using the Dell installation DVD and it would not perform the upgrade, returning the message "Current version is newer than version you are trying to upgrade to". I suppose that's because I've installed SP1 since buying the computer. I then burned the Microsoft Windows 7 Repair ISO to both a CD and DVD, neither of which returned any errors after doing a repair. The Windows Backup and Restore continues to function but will not open after clicking on the icon in Control Panel or attempting to open it in Action Center.

I'll just let sleeping dogs lie. It's not that important to me since I use Acronis on a weekly basis.

Hey mjf,

I'll check it out and let you know the results. Thank you for your assistance.