Trying to copy backup file from one HD to another

[garmancm]

So I created a backup of a friend's laptop on my external hard drive because she didn't own one yet.
Now she's bought one and I'm trying to copy the backup file to it.

When I drag the file to copy I get a message saying I will need admin permissions to copy, but when I just click continue it appears to work (I set myself as the admin).

However, then a prompt comes up that says "Copying 1 item (0 bytes)" and the task bar just keeps flashing green across it. If I right click the file in my first HD and go to properties it says that the file is 0 bytes...
Did I not backup the laptop correctly? Or is this normal? Or is there an issue copying the file? I've tried going directly from HD to HD or from my HD to my desktop, and have the same results.

 

[AddRAM]

Why don`t she just create a backup from her pc ?

What would be different from the older backup you have ?

How big is the backup on your external drive ?

 

[garmancm]

She doesn't really know how, and I'm not with her to do it for her, as she lives a couple hours away.

I don't know how big the file is because it just shows as 0 bytes.

 

[whs]

Can you open the backup file and see whether there is any data.

 

[AddRAM]

So you`re saying you have her new external drive and you`re trying to copy an old backup to it ?

If the folder shows as 0 bytes then there`s nothing there, click on it, try to open it up, is there anything there ?

 

[mjf]

I assume you are talking Windows inbuilt backup. There are 2 types
1) "WindowsImageBackup". This is a system image folder.
2) A folder with the PC name. This is a file/folder data backup.

Both folders will show 0 bytes with Windows explorer but they will not be empty.
The image in particular would typically be between 30-50GB. This would be a big physical copy and may be unreliable after a copy. It is far better to make a new image and file/folder backup with the ext HDD connected to her PC when you next meet.