Error messages every time I backup

[spoovy]

I have an automated backup set up; it doesn't create a system image, just backs up my personal files. The problem is that I always have an error flag in my systray telling me that there is an error from my last backup :

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\My Dropbox. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\spoovy\Downloads. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

These are from my first and second backups. The first one doesn't exist (dropbox doesn't/shouldn't put anything in there to my knowledge), but the second definately does exist. So why haven't they backed up?

Thanks in advance

Spoov

 

[pebbly]

Hi spoovy, Make sure you have permission to write to the specified files , try adding this shortcut http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

 

[spoovy]

Surely I would be reading the contents of the directory though, to back it up, rather than writing to it. So why would I need to be the file/directory owner?

I'm coming from unixland so i'm familiar with permissions etc.

 

[Cato]

I quit using Windows backup the first day I installed Windows 7. I've been a user of Macrium Reflect since that day and have never regretted it.

Free version here if you're interested. www.macrium.com

 

[spoovy]

Same problem again -

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\My Dropbox. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))
Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Users\spoovy\Saved Games. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

Neither of these files exist. How can I stop backup trying to backup things that don't exist??

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm guessing you are using Windows built-on backup??

I know nothing about it, but have been using 3rd party backup apps for over 10 years.

Such apps can throw errors if the path to the file is beyond a certain length. That probably isn't the case in your situation.

You should be able to configure the app to disregard any particular file---by directory, by extension, or by complete name.

If I understand you, the files outright do not exist. The application (Windows itself?) seems to have another opinion. Have you searched with hidden and system files turned on?

Recommended alternatives:

Use a third party backup application. I've never seen such an error using them. But, all of my data is on D and not in system directories--that might be part of the problem?

Ignore the error, unless of course the files really DO exist and you want them backed up.

 

[spoovy]

Thanks for your reply, but i'm after a solution rather than a workaround.

If I ignore the error messages then I have to either:

- Live with an error flag permanently visible in my systray, which means I will not notice new, "genuine" error messages; or

- Disable backup error messages altogether, but then I won't be notified if I have a "genuine" backup error.

I may well end up using a third party app, but i'd rather use the built in Windows method. I don't really like the 'Can't get it to work? - just install another third party app' approach.