Backup corruption problem

[rundwald]

My periodical backups are saved to my WD external drive (My Passport). I have found that the files saved are corrupt, and error messages as in attachment given. The xml files open blank, but are there, when edit is selected instead of open.
I am concerned about this. What do the errors etc suggest has happened; what am I doing wrong in the backup process? How do I achieve a proper backup in the future? Please!

 

[CKWD]

Hello rundwald!

I'm sorry that your backups aren't working. :/

Which backup process are you exactly using? If it is through a WD software please describe your settings and the process.

Are the files initially corrupted on the PC before being backed up? Check the health of the My Passport drive with WD Data Lifeguard diagnostics, do both Quick and Extended tests.

WD DLG:
Support Answers

You could also change the USB cable and try with the backups again, see if the files still corrupt.

Post back with results!

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

First I open Control Panel> Backup and Restore and choose Backup
I insert the USB connection from my WD Passport. I unlock Unlocker (allocated to Drive E the CD drive, which seems a bit odd)!
I enter password to Unlocker, and Passbook opens in Drive K. I select to save back up there snd commence.

I am not sure what settings you wanted checked, but there appear to be two locations, the DVD drive and My Passport.
in that order.

I did a further backup today which also failed but found that two files ere skipped. Here are the details/

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\....\Desktop\QSGBill. ErrorThe system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\....\Desktop\OMNIDSK\DSKPIC\PICTURE FILES ON DESKTOP\ZAXAZAXA.
ErrorThe system cannot find the path specified. (0x80070003)).

Neither is found on a search, but both are in the Directory under TrackFoldersDirectory. Might my first step to solution be fo remove them?

 

[CKWD]

Yes, the Unlocker would show itself as a Virtual CD.

So you are using a Windows based back up.

I believe this Microsoft KB article should be able to help you:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/979281

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

In the end that link did help, though I am not the clearest mind, or MSoft the clearest communicator to the hoi polloi. The strange ones are no longer reporting and backups are succeeding. Thank you!

I then took opportunity to sfc /scannow my system, which was a very worthwhile exercise.

The silly thing I did was to format My Passport (WDBACY5000ABK-U), so losing Unlocker. If there was an installation disk it can't be found, Am I stuck?

 

[CKWD]

You're welcome, glad I could help!

Since you've formatted the drive, have you had any issues? Are you able to use it, copy-paste from/to it, etc.?

I see this is the WD My Passport Essential USB 3.0, 500GB. I also suppose you have been using the WD SmartWare software installed to unlock your drive. From your external hard drive's User manual:

“The WD SmartWare software provides the Drive Unlock utility on a “virtual” CD drive that appears under My Computer in your Windows Explorer display whenever the drive is password protected.” (p.28)

“In addition to deleting all of the data on your My Passport drive, erasing or reformatting the drive also removes the WD SmartWare software and all of the support files, utilities, online help and user manual files. If you ever need to remove and reinstall the WD SmartWare software on your computer, or move the drive to another computer and install the software there, you will need to restore the WD SmartWare software and disk image on your My Passport drive. To do this, after you have erased or reformatted the drive, go to support.wdc.com and see Knowledge Base Answer ID #5419.” (p.39)

This is WD KB 5419:
Support Answers

Hope these help!

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

Thanks for continued help!

I have found KB5419, but when I click on the User Manual Link nothing happens just a blank page, nor does copying the link by right click to copy the underlying link
Support Answers
and
paste work.

 

[CKWD]

This is strange. On my side everything is opening just fine, the link from my and your posts. Try through here:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705054.pdf

Just in case, here is the KB 5419 link.

WD SES driver download and instructions for recovering the WD SmartWare installer

Any problems with other links I have provided?

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

Thank you for your seemingly unending patience. I followed the instructions ( or tried) but still Unlocker fails to appear. In the attachment is what steps I took and what is on My Passport. I nust have missed or mucked up something, but what? My elderly grey cells aren't coping.

 

[CKWD]

Don't worry about it, of course I'll try and help.

In the WD KB 5419 there are also instructions. So after unzipping the program you go to Step 4. It says to copy all of the files and folders to the external drive. If you have trouble doing that check Answer ID 1198: How to move or copy files from one hard drive to another in Windows

Then Step 5: double click on WD Smartware.exe and install the software. Then you will be able to use it.

You should do the same with the SES driver. After downloading it, unzip it, double slick on the WD SES driver setup, continue and finish the install.

As it says in the User manual, p.28: “..The WD SmartWare software provides the Drive Unlock utility on a “virtual” CD drive that appears under My Computer in your Windows Explorer display whenever the drive is password protected.”

If you have any more trouble, you could also contact WD Support on the live line:
Support Answers

Good luck!

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

Thanks for all your help, but for the present at least I am going to admit defeat. I did manage somehow to get the emulated CD to its own drive and visible in its unlocked state, but that was all. Next time I looked it had vanished.

I shall just keep backups unprotected like many on fora who seem not to want to use Smartware.

 

[rundwald]

Even though giving up. I did some more hopeless fiddling and now have My Passport allocated to drive M and Unlocker to Drive E.
However I am getting an error as shown in the attached file. I cannot understand what I need do from that.

 

[CKWD]

Hi!

Go to Device Manager and locate your external WD drive and check if it is activated. Reactivate it if you have to. (right clicking)

Good luck!

CK_WD

 

[rundwald]

Shown as working properly. No little yellow triangle.

 

[CKWD]

If you have backed up your data from the drive, then I would suggest Reinstalling the device from Device Manager.

CK_WD