error code 0x80780119 not enough disk space to create shadow copy

Great!! That was my problem. I changed the OEM partion from 48MB to 100 MB and my problem was fixed. Many thanks!

Here's an update on my experiences.  The Dell "Backup and Recover Application (BURA)" upgrade to create system images does create images, but there is no way to use/recover them.  They can't even be recovered using the hard disk boot drive option from the restored "factory image".  This is the method suggested by Dell support as the way to do it since you can't produce bootable media for it.  I uninstalled Dell's "BURA" and got a refund for it's $39.99 "upgrade".

One of Dell's support techs reduced the *:winretools" partition on the OS hard drive from 500MB to 499MB, which then allowed me to create a "Windows7" system image (of my Windows8 system) to another internal hard drive.  But it was of no use since the recovery media could not find/recognize that hard drive.  So, created another image on a network drive (NAS), which the recovery media could find and I was able to successfully  re-image a "new" hard drive (of the same size as the original - 2TB).

Microsoft level 2 support said that the problem was that my backup 3TB internal hard drive was a "primary" GPT partition (rather than a smaller 1TB MBR I guess).  About a month later I discovered that I could no longer create images on the NAS.  So, I tried again on the internal hard drive (which fortunately worked that time).

Shortly thereafter Windows stopped being able to shut off my computer.  After forcing shutoff (via the power switch) and restarting, Windows wouldn't boot.  Dell's repair application (I believe which started automatically) couldn't fix it and seemed to make it worse.  None of the Windows8 recover options worked either (because of the partition re-sizing?)  So, I re-imaged the hard - drive from the 3TB internal drive image.

Windows still can't shut off the computer, but it can re-start it (for software updates), so I haven't tried to fix it.  Also, it can be safely shut-down with the power switch after the screen returns to the "Space Needle" after trying to shut down for a while.  It can also start safely from "Start Windows" in the boot/repair options.  I'm going to avoid using either the Windows* or Dell Recovery tools - they'll likely break it again.

The bottom line - don't assume that either the image(s) you have created will work or that the Dell or Windows8 recovery options will work (especially after re-sizing OS disk partitions) unless you try them.

Good luck - I share your pain!

You only need space for 1 Back-up and Restore  program. Not space for every  back-up you are likely to make!

NO, you say.

You're wrong.

ONE is definitely all you do need.

The most up-to-date one, that is!

And, how, pray tell, do I set it up to work this way?

By the use of simply setting the option to........................over-write the existing version of the Back-up and Restore program!

That's right, all that is really needed is space for one copy of the back-up files, PLUS a bit....for safety sake.

Can't be done! 

Don't insult me.

I have done it, now I'm telling you.......'how-to' to do it, too.

By the way, I do have enough space to do a back-up  myself, 2 x 250 gig hard-drives I chose NOT to.

Anything I need a COPY of, is......already on CDs or DVDs.

And my computer has been running as smooth as silk for well over 6 years without a need to ever do a re-installation.

It's properly maintained, since I am retired, on an Aged pension, with all the time in the world....to ensure that my computer is ALWAYS up-to-date, working properly, topping it all off with 20+years of knowledge from working/building all my own computers from parts.