Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center problem - Can't Backup

Hi!

I am preparing to upgrade a laptop from Vista to Windows 7 and thought it would be wise to use the Backup and Restore Center in Vista to back up all the data.

However, every time I try to create a backup, I get the same error message. The error says:

The back up did not complete successfully.
An error occured. The following information might help you resolve the error:
The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable. (0x80070570)

I initally tried to back up to a second partition on the single hard drive, and then changed to trying to back up to a DVD.

I have run Disk Check on both the HDD partitions but maybe I did not do it correctly, and do not know what else to try.

The laptop is only a few months old and I do not think it likely there is a HDD problem. Can anyone suggest anything I can try, or suggest how I should have used Disk Check?

Thanks and best wishes,

Roger

 

Hi,

Does it say the name of the file/directory? I would wonder if it might be talking about the file it is saving to, not the one it is saving from.

Do you have plenty of space to make the backup file?

Search for "error checking" in Help and Support. If you run a check on the disk surface, expect that it will take many hours. Set it up to run overnight (do not crash out of CHKDSK if it seems to have stalled).

Creating a backup on the same hard disk (HDD) is not recommended. You must always consider that the HDD could fail and in your case, the partition information could become corrupted and the whole HDD could require repartitioning.

I advise against trying to make a backup directly to a DVD. Some programs can(?) do it, but when I did that and it came to restoring the backup, it said the backup file was corrupted/unreadable (I had a second backup made with a different program that worked). If you want to save to DVD, I suggest you make the backup file on the HDD, then use a burning program to burn it onto the DVD.

Your best backup is to get another (external) HDD and if nothing else, copy your data directly to that. I use a synchronizing program (SyncBack) to copy the files to another HDD. Have a search around these forums for backup suggestions, there are lots of varying methods.

Matt

 

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your replies (to this and my other problem post!)

Unfortunately there is no indication which file/directory is causing the problem. The highlighted text in my inital post is all I am getting. I did wonder if the problem was in a file on the partition being backed up, rather than the destination, but have no idea how I can check this.

I appreciate the points you make regarding saving to anywhere but on the same HDD, but figured in this short term exercise I would be safe!

As an exercise, I have just tried to back up to an external USB disc drive with yet again the same result.

I will set CHKDSK to run tonight, just on the C: drive partition and try Backing Up again in the morning.

I will write tomorrow with the results, be it good or bad news, and thank you again for your help,

regards,

Roger

 

Hi again,

CHKDSK ran overnight but I am sorry to say there has been no imporovement.

I have plenty of space on the desination disc to take the backup so I dont think this is an issue.

As an experiment I tried a backup selecting only image files rather than all the file types but that failed too.

If anyone can suggest another possible remedy I will be most grateful,

Thanks,

Roger

 

I can't think of other possible reasons and a quick websearch didn't reveal anything. [I found 0x80070570 = ERROR FILE CORRUPT ]

Are you possibly trying to back up system files (when you say "image" files, do you mean photos, not say, CD/DVD iso images or backup images)? I doubt you can back up system files that are in use.

If you cannot make backups of simple sets of files or odd directories, you might have an uphill battle trying to find the cause.

BIG HINT: why do you think I use SyncBack rather than Windows Backup? (Windows Backup is so finicky it's not worthwhile. I only use it to back up folders that have to be put back exactly where they came from and if you are upgrading, that possibly, might not be the same place.)

If you are having problems backing up before you change OS, imagine what might happen when you come across a problem and expect your backup to work.

You need to instigate a dedicated backup system (if you look through the suggestions for backup on these forums, I doubt you will find many for Windows Backup).

Matt

 

Hi Matt, and thanks for replying again.

I think you have hit on the crux of the problem! In the past I have used Norton Ghost to back up my desktop PC operating system. I have never done this on the newly acquired laptop. I now believe I misunderstood the purpose of the 'Backup and Restore Center' - I thought it was just a Windows version of Ghost but now I think you are telling me it is there simply to backup user created files and data. Right?

If I am right, and I accept the errors of my ways, I am left wondering why I still get the same message when I tried to back up just the image files, (images as in jpegs, etc, not as in images of the operating system in total). The fact that this type of backup still did not work, makes me wonder if I have a problem with the HDD or system that I still need to address. Is this possible and should I be worried?

Thanks for your continued interest,

best wishes,

Roger

 

This error is stating faulty file, but it probably isn't!

Here are the possible fixes:
Do a Vista Startup Repair: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Startup-Repair-frequently-asked-questions.
Update the CD\DVD burner Drive for a new DVD Burner (this may even be an external DVD drive
Update the CD\DVD firmware

Also I found some info on Desktops with this error (I understand yours is a laptop though)
Replace the IDE Cable
Configure the CD\DVD burner as Master (jumpered)
Remove any secondary CD\DVD Drive attached to the same IDE Cable
Replace the Drive


I also found that even when this error is shown, other drives made read the info without issue, this also points mainly to the drive and configuration.

I hope this helps a bit
Note: I don't think it is because of the MS Backup software at all

 

Hi, and thanks for the extra information.

However, I am not able to change IDE cables and jumper settings since it is a laptop. I am not at all familiar with the internals of a laptop and as it is a fairly recent purchase I do not want to go opening anything I am not familiar with and thus jeopardise the warranty. Does this sound like a problem that might be a Warranty issue if it is hardware related?

I will try the start up repair and see what happens.

Had I not tried the 'backup and restore centre' software, i would have had no idea there might be a problem. Should I be worried?

Thanks,

Roger

 

Well this is my feeling about the issue, although I have given a few options above (also the "internals" were only in respect to Desktops, basically offtopic, but still related to the error code)

I feel, that some laptop drives are not good
ie Generally all new Desktop (or external) drives read all written discs.
But this is just not true for laptops. This is from my experience with thousands of laptops on the job (not on the forums)
Many laptops have issues reading burnt discs. This is just the makeup of the drive, they basically are just not strong enough (in the laser and in the seating of the disc) to read the data perfectly)

Countless times I have had written discs not read on a laptop
But on a Desktop > no issue
And I am talking brand new laptops (actually old or new)

It has been that way since laptops were made (in my view) and there is no fix, other than getting an external DVD Writer
This error (I feel) is also related to this issue. Some drives just won't read correctly (laptop and Desktop drives) They need to be replaced. But there is little use on a laptop drive as you will just get another brand new one that does the same thing.

That's my honest viewpoint on the matter But also try the above

 

Roger,

To put your mind at rest regarding HD...

If you can determine HD model download the relevant Disk Diagnostic Software ....

ExcelStore

Hitachi/IBM

Samsung

Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

Western Digital

Fujitsu

If any links I have provided in this post are out of date please let me know and I will endeavour to post a valid link.

Post back if you require further help.

 

Hi Kimsland and Wildfire,

Thanks so much for taking the trouble to add further to this topic. I appreciate the time and trouble.

I am off to work soon so will reconsider at the end of the day, but having read quickly thorough the Samsung link you provided Wildfire, I am a little scared of using the diagnostic program. Not sure why, especially if I successfully copy and save elsewhere all my wife's data. Just uncharted waters I guess.

I understand your comments Wildfire though the problem in my instance does not seem to be confined to the DVD burner. The error occured whether trying to back up to the internal HDD partition, DVD or USB HDD. I do understand however that there are some flaws in all laptops and I might just decide to live with things as they are. It is not our main computer and we have felt we have great value for the money we paid as things are.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Roger

 

Roger,

It's not often I disagree with kimsland but I cannot accept his assertion that laptop optical drives are no good, however it is a moot point as we're speaking writing not reading

Anyway, as far as the Samsung HUtil is concerned yes backing up the data first is a good idea. Once you're prepared to take the plunge burn the ISO image to a CD and boot from it.

Press 'Y' to accept the license agreement then select your HD from the following screen.

Select TOOL->SELF DIAGNOSTIC the software will then perform a few fairly quick tests before doing a lengthily surface scan (this will probably take a few hours).

Once done you will hopefully have a message reporting no errors, press any key then esc to exit. Restart your system.

The self diagnostic test is read only and as you aren't writing to the drive your data should be safe. DO NOT perform any other actions or data loss could and probably will occur but you should be warned about this.

If you perform the test let us know of the outcome.

 

I meant to mention before, did you make that partition yourself? If it was there when you got the computer, it is probably a recovery partition, in that case, I don't think you should try saving any files/backups there. It could be a specially formatted drive for recovering the system using the manufacturer's method.

Just a word of caution.

Matt
PS I work where there is approximately 600 computers. I have seen or known about most of the hardware problems in the last 1.5 years. Laptop HDD problems are more prevalent, BUT, on the equivalent desktop computers, the size of the HDD is larger and the laptop users tend to fill theirs up more quickly. They open more applications at once. They are "power users" compared to the desktop machine users, so...their machines should be reversed .