Windows 8.1: System Image Backup of C: drive fails, Error 0x8078012D and 0x8007045D

Hi,

From the error description, it appears that this issue is caused due to an input/output device error. A bad sector in the hard drive of the location from where you are trying to backup or in the location where you are trying to save the backup could cause this issue. But since you have mentioned that you have already run a chkdsk scan and it didn’t find any corrupt sectors, I would suggest you to try these steps and check:

Method 1:

First, I would suggest you to make sure that the services required for backup to run successfully is enabled. Refer to these steps:

a)      Press Windows key + R, type ‘services.msc’ and press enter.

b)      In the services window, locate the services ‘File history service’ and the ‘Volume shadow copy service’ and check if they are running.

c)       If they are not running, right click and select ‘Start’ to manually start the service.

d)      Check if you are able to create a backup now.

Method 2:

If the issue persists, I would suggest you to choose a different location to save the backup or try choosing a DVD disc as the backup location and check if that works.

Method 3:

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to boot the computer in a clean boot state and then check. Booting the computer in a clean boot state can reduce software conflicts and help identify the root cause of the issue. You can refer to this article for more information:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, reset the computer to start as usual. Refer to the step How to set the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting under more information.

Try these steps and let us know the results. We’d be happy to help if you need any further assistance.

Thanks for taking the time to answer, Ben! :)

From the error description, it appears that this issue is caused due to an input/output device error...

I agree, that's what the error implies, but I think it's misleading, a red herring. I don't think there's anything wrong with any disk. Here's why I think that:

The PC I am running is about 6 years old, it started as a Win 7 system, with an 128GB SSD C: drive.

I then upgraded to Win 8, changing the C: drive to a 256GB SSD at the same time.

Now I am running Win 8.1.

I was always backing up to an external USB3.0 hard drive... and now most recently to a network NAS location.

... and these errors with System Image Backups have occurred intermittantly for all the past 6 years! And I have run CHKDSK /R every time on source and destination as advised, and it has never found a problem on any drive in all those 6 years :)

In the past, simply disabling services/background processes has solved the problem, but with Windows 8.1, it has become more stubborn.

Method 1:

...

b)      In the services window, locate the services ‘File history service’ and the ‘Volume shadow copy service’ and check if they are running.

I checked the services: the File History service is set to start-up type 'automatic' and is running.

The Volume Shadow Copy service is set to start up type 'manual' and isn't running until I launch the System Image backup, at which point it starts successfully. 

So no problem there.

Method 2:

If the issue persists, I would suggest you to choose a different location to save the backup or try choosing a DVD disc as the backup location and check if that works.

Well I have tried an external USB 3.0 Seagate drive, and a WD NAS on my home LAN.  It doesn't work with either of them.  I don't think it's a problem with either of these devices. They pass all their own diagnostics and I've successfully written and read many many terabytes of data to them.

I haven't tried DVD's, but the backup is 81GB so it would take a lot of them and not be very convenient!

Method 3:

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to boot the computer in a clean boot state and then check

OK, I will give this a go!

I've tried disabling a lot of bits and pieces, not not as thorough or complete as the clean boot.

(I also tried to run in "Safe Mode with Networking", but File History isn't available in that mode).

Will let you know in a couple of hours how I get on.

Hi,

I am afraid that a 'Clean Boot' did not solve the problem: the System Image backup failed in the same way, same error messages.

Here is what I suspect is going wrong: parts of the C: drive are encrypted (for instance, I have RIM's BlackBerry manager installed, with backups of my BlackBerry phone stored there etc).  My guess is that Window's backup agent cannot handle dealing with these.  But I am just guessing.

Any further suggestions for what I can try?

I've seen it insinuated on these forums that this is a known issue with System Image Backups that Microsoft have failed to address, and that the 3rd party tool Macrium Reflect works fine...

Indeed it is suggested by Microsoft Press's "Windows 8.1 Inside Out" book (which erroneous claims Windows 8.1 doesn't even *have* a native System Image backup feature... or maybe it's not so erroneous!)

Hi,

I apologize for the delayed response. Do you have other partitions apart from C:\ drive?

If so, I would suggest you to choose the other partition as the destination to store the Windows system image and check if you face the same issue.

If the issue still persists, I would suggest you to move the encrypted files use by other programs and then try creating a system image backup.

Try this steps and let us know the results for further assistance.