Window 7 will can not Backup or let me do a system image backup.

Anonymous
2009-10-24T06:06:16+00:00

I have just upgraded to Windows 7, but when I try to do a complete backup or system backup, it fails.

I started to do a full backup to dvd, it took hours and stopped  at 84%,  I also tried to backup with system image, but this faild,  I tried to backup to an external drive 80GB drive and window said this wasn’t big enough.

Why cant I  backup Windows 7.

Thanks for any help

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Recovery and backup

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T13:07:10+00:00

    Further to my posts on January 8, 14 and 19.  After many, many hours of excellent assistance from MS Consumer Technical Support, we agreed that there was no option but to implement a clean install.  That was done after backing up files, etc., using MS approved firmware Acronis (which is not that great but it does the job), and also after using Windows Easy Transfer to export to the same external HDD (for insurance!).  The clean install fixed the backup problem, and the WET data was then imported back to the same machine (like it was the 'new' one).  Two cautions:

    1.  Using an upgrade disc to implement a clean install is not simply a matter of using the 'Custom Install' option. Technical experts might be OK, but In my case MSCTS assistance was essential.

    2.  The upgrade disc Key was rejected for Windows 7 activation. However, leaving that field blank I was able to proceed on basis of the 30 days pre-activation option.  Reverting to MSCTS brought a solution to validate the upgrade Key for the clean install.

    Conclusion: anyone using an upgrade Vista > Windows 7 disc should go for a clean install until whenever MS release a repair update for this backup failures problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-16T04:15:27+00:00

    Unbelievable. I just got an emachine with windows 7 and have the same problem. Mine stops at 25% It takes first DVD but then wants to format the next one but that fails and the backup fails. I get no error message--just stops. Any help appreciated but keep it simple.  thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-15T14:05:25+00:00

    I believe that Microsoft owes this community an anser. They are spending $$$Millions marketing a product which, for any user who depends on their computer sysytemto be reliable, is essentially worthless.

    Gaston Maurin

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-15T14:02:00+00:00

    In 13 tries the program has only run to completion on one occasion!!! This is not a reliable backup program for my system. Without reliable backups my system is essentially worthless.

    Gaston Maurin

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