Can't backup my computer

[imeem]

(Mods, please move this thread if it is the wrong section)

Whenever I try to back my computer with Windows Backup, I keep getting this error message

I'm trying to back it up to my new WD My Book Essential 1 GB WDBAAF0010HBK.
I installed the latest firmware for the drive, but I did not install the software.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If the error is right, it is a size issue.

Regarding the source disk: how many partitions, what size are they, which of them are you trying to back up, and how much occupied space in each of those partitions?

Regarding the destination disk: how many partitions, what size are they, and how much space is free in each of the partitions?

 

[imeem]

If the error is right, it is a size issue.

Regarding the source disk: how many partitions, what size are they, which of them are you trying to back up, and how much occupied space in each of those partitions?

Regarding the destination disk: how many partitions, what size are they, and how much space is free in each of the partitions?

AFAIK, my external HDD has no partitions, It's just 1 big thing. When it ask you what do you want to back up, I choose Let Windows Choose.

I have over 900 GB of free space left.

 

[mlevy]

The MyBook comes formatted as FAT32. FAT32 has a file size limitation of 4 GB, your backup is surely larger than that. Click the start orb, in the search box type cmd, right-click the command prompt in the results and select to run as administrator. At the command prompt type

convert [drive letter for the MyBook]: /fs:ntfs without the quotes.

This will convert the drive to the NTFS format without wiping the existing data.

 

[imeem]

The MyBook comes formatted as FAT32. FAT32 has a file size limitation of 4 GB, your backup is surely larger than that. Click the start orb, in the search box type cmd, right-click the command prompt in the results and select to run as administrator. At the command prompt type

convert [drive letter for the MyBook]: /fs:ntfs without the quotes.

This will convert the drive to the NTFS format without wiping the existing data.

It came formatted to NTFS.

 

[imeem]

Does this mean that I have to use the software that came with the hard drive to back up my computer?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What are the specific answers to the specific questions in my first post?

All drives have at least one partition. Some have 2, 3, 4, or more.

We need more info.

 

[imeem]

What are the specific answers to the specific questions in my first post?

All drives have at least one partition. Some have 2, 3, 4, or more.

We need more info.

What are partition?

 

[Coram Daes]

I have a MyBook 2TB, hooked up and done.
But I used the bundled software to format the drive before I gave Windows instructions to use it for backup.
Something about removing all custom stuff on the myBook. Need to check.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Go to the start button search box.

Type in disk management

Take a screen capture of disk management when it comes up.

Post that picture in this thread.

It may or may not be a size issue, but you have to find out.

 

[imeem]

Go to the start button search box.

Type in disk management

Take a screen capture of disk management when it comes up.

Post that picture in this thread.

It may or may not be a size issue, but you have to find out.

here it is. L drive is the external HDD

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I assume you are trying to back up Acer to Mybook (C to L).

That’s about 160 gigs that you want to back up to a drive with 913 gigs of free space.

I don’t see any size issues.

Windows Backup isn’t exactly intuitive from what I hear. I can only guess it is misbehaving or you have made some incorrect choices during the process.

I’m no authority on that application and will defer to others. Good luck.