Gfi Backup Tool 4.1: Volume Shadow Copy Error Cannot Write To Destination

I started to have a problem with GFI recently and I am not able to perform a backup to the external HDD (Adata hd710; preformatted to NTFS). Every time I am getting a following error:

"Volume shadow copy error"
"Cannot write file to destination"

I tried to copy a folder by drag and drop and it worked so it is definetely GFI problem. I tried to reinstall and the same thing.

I will appreciate any help

 

I've been on this and other forums for years and one of my main interests is backup systems. I've never heard of GFI. I guess you are referring to GFI Archiver? Anyway, how about using a different backup system? There are several we can safely recommend, both free and paid.

 

Even Windows 7 and later have built-in backup capabilities. I've used the Windows 7 Backup and Restore which was resurrected in Windows 10 to create a Windows Image backup of my entire computer (5 versions of Windows on two internal (not RAID) hard drives).

 

I have windows 8.1. I am open for any FREE backup recommendations. I will be using it to backup outllook 2013 and other files on my computer.

 

There are two basic types of backup -

1. Those that simply backup files that you select. Everyone should do this.

2. Those that can completely restore a computer to an earlier state. These are primarily used for disaster recovery - failed hard disk, computer won't boot, severe virus infection and so on.

Are you just interested in 1 or in both?

 

I would need both please

 

What version of Windows are you using?

 

8.1 r

 

Thank you - that makes a big difference to the appropriate answers. 8.1 has an inbuilt feature called File History. If you turn this on 8.1 will automatically keep your files backed up to a drive you specify. The actual folders that are backed up are your Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos and Desktop. You do need of course a suitable connected drive, external or internal, to hold your backups. To turn file history on just type backup into the Start screen and click on File History Settings. There is also a very large choice of 3rd party file backup system available and I would expect others to come forward with their recommendations.

8.1 also includes a system backup and recovery system but I'm not going to recommend it. Instead, on the basis of it being the easiest to use, I recommend AOMEI Backupper. If you find you have questions about using that then just ask.

 

@Earthling,

I'm running the Pro version of AOMEI Backupper and I don't remember if AOMEI Backupper Standard (the freeware version) accommodates file backup. Does it?

I do know that if you create a Win PE boot disk for it, running from the CD allows file backup but, I'm not so sure about the installed version of Backupper Standard.

 

Yes it does, pic attached, but I'm not recommending the OP should use it for file backups, only for system backups.

 

Thank you very much!

 

File History Settings does not allow me to chose the files that I want to back up, does it? The only option I have is turn on file hostory and it creates default folder on external hdd. I need to backup my large pst files as a priority. I will appreciate your help

 

If your .pst files are located in Documents then they will be being backed up but so will everything else in the default folders. If this isn't right for you then we need a different solution that would enable you to select individual files and keep them backed up automatically. Most backup programs allow you to select folders rather than files so off the cuff I can't recommend anything. I'll do some digging but others may have suggestions. The file backup program I use, WinRAR, gives you total flexibility over what to backup but unfortunately it is not free and does not have a built-in scheduler so you have to create your own schedule using Task Scheduler. In the meantime you could back them up manually using copy and paste or a batch file, it's better than nothing.

 

One answer would be to use the program I recommended for system backups, AOMEI Backupper. I just tested its file backup system and you can select individual files and the backup can be scheduled if you want. It's simple to use and the only reservation I have about it is that, as with file backup on most imaging software, the backup file is in proprietary format and can only be restored using the AOMEI program. You do need to create the rescue CD so that your backup can be recovered in the event your computer cannot boot.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/aomei_backupper_standard.html

 

That you very much Eartling, I will try it out. One more question. I am having problems with my email; would this forum be of any help for me? If so where should i post?

 

You can post in this forum.

 

I used AIOMI and I decided I am looking for a back up tool that will allow me to restore without AIOMI app being installed. Let me know if you know of such tool.

 

Can i create rescue CD for AIOMI on USB? Does it have to be a designated USB just for this app?

 

I'm not familiar with AOMEI software, but have a look under Utilities > Create Bootable Media.

 

I thought Eartling would know

 

Yes you can and yes, it does have to be a dedicated USB drive. Another way is to install EasyBCD, which can boot your computer to a bootable iso stored somewhere on your computer. AOMEI will create the bootable iso for you. This is my preferred method but I also create the CD/USB just in case

 

I have been using AOMEI, but I would like to switch to something different. I am interested in a backup solution that would be similar to GFI backup where I backup directly files onto the external hard drive. I would appreciate a list of backup software including the paid apps for PC.

 

HERE is MajorGeeks collection of file backup programs, both free and paid. Something there should meet your need.

 

OMG it is long list. Could you help me in narrowing it down please? few recommendations of software that does not need a designated app to access backed up files. That is what i need - free or paid

 

A sync program might suit you. Sync programs just copy one set of folders from one drive to another in their native format, so no boot disks needed for recovery. There are several in the list, I use SyncBack Free. The interface isn't the best but it works well and has a built-in scheduler.

 

Dear Earthling, I am totally lost. I still have not figured out any backup solution. I tested Acronis Tru Image and it is pretty much the same as AOMEI. The part i do not get about the image backups (Acronis Tru Image 2016 trial in this case) is this:

I made an image copy of the entire computer. I am trying to make sure this thing works properly and that I will have my data safe for future recovery. My first image backup was like 200GB then the next day the second was only 6gb and 2 hours later the third was 131MB. What I am confused about is the content of each image file - see attached pics. The first one was the entire computer (A) and that is clear; the second was my entire computer (A) + what I have done for the next day (B). Then in 2 hours I have (C). Questions:

1. Which files would I access from my most recent backup to get the most recent data? Would (C) the last one be it?
2. I understand the GB data will build up on my external hdd to the point when I will run out of space. Do I delete the oldest backup files first? That would be logical wouldn't it?

All i am looking for is a backup solution for several folders on my hdd and it became so hard!

 

...files

 

I'm sorry to have to say it but your difficulties are entirely of your own making. In #5 I described, in simple terms, the two main types of backup - whole system or just your files and asked you which you wanted. You said you wanted both and that is why you have ended up going down the AOMEI/Acronis path. Now you are saying you only want to back up some folders, and if you had said that originally your problem would long since have been solved. In #26 I recommended you look at a sync program as these do exactly what you want. You don't even seem to have read that, let alone try it.

The backups you have with Acronis are what are called incremental backups. You start with a full backup and the successive ones only record differences from the previous one. To recover files you always access the latest backup, you don't have to concern yourself with which backup actually contains them or with deleting older backups - all that is handled automatically and you will wreck the backup if you intervene.

 

Earthling, thank you very much for your response. I guess I was looking for a perfect solution and that is why I got you and my self confused. Is Acronis Tru Image a solution to be used on everyday (or every other day) basis? Or would you recommend something different?

 

I use an imaging program just once a month, purely to create a system image in case any of the computers should suffer a serious malfunction or become infected. The images do not include any of my personal files, only the Windows system and my installed software.. Programs like Acronis or AOMEI are unsuitable for backing up your files for the reason I've already given.

My files are backed up automatically every 24 hours. I use WinRAR for this for no better reason than that's what I've been using for 20 years and it enables me to open any of the backups created in that time (unless I've deleted them). For other stuff I want backed up less frequently I use SyncBack Free. This simply keeps selected folders in sync to a schedule and would meet your needs as I understand them, perfectly.

Going back to Acronis (and AOMEI and a few others), you can configure them for the type and frequency of backup you want, i.e. a full backup, a differential backup or, as yours is set to do, an incremental backup every x days/hours. I have mine set to the opposite of yours - just a full backup once a month, though I frequently override the schedule and do it manually.

HTH

 

I will use a free version of AOMEI to do the system backup once a month and I'll try the SyncBack Free for files and folders back up. Thank you very much for your help, really

 

If I may ask you one more thing, there is a full backup and sync backup options. If I go with full backup first, would the second backup overwrite the first one or does it build up? Sorry to ask such a dumm questions but I want to make sure what I am doing.

 

You aren't ringing any bells at all. What software are you asking about?

 

I appologize....SyncBack Free

 

OK, sounds like you are setting up your first backup profile, defining which folders are to be kept in sync. Choosing Backup means the source folder will always be used as the one you want backed up. If you choose Sync then any changes made to either the source or the destination folders will be synced to the other. In your case you should use Backup.

 

I see, I will use backup. I am planning on doing it everyday, so would it build up on my external HDD forcing me to delete the old ones at some point?

 

No, you aren't getting it. Synchronised means just that - the source and destination folders will always be kept identical. Older copies are not kept. If you want to keep older copies then I would recommend WinRAR, but it isn't the easiest to understand or configure and it isn't free. There are so many backup solutions available it's not possible to keep atop all of them so I can only hope someone else is following this and may have some other suggestions.

 

Another thought - I believe it's mainly your Outlook .pst file you are concerned about. These files can grow to significant size, > 1GB is commonplace, so keeping multiple copies isn't very practical. Not only that, but accessing a previous .pst file in Outlook is not the simplest of tasks. Give some more thought to exactly what it is you need.

 

With sync I am worried that if I delete something accidentally it will do the same on my backup if I undersand it correctly. In regards to my back up in particular, I will back up my work folders/files that I use on everyday basis as well as outllok folder as you said.

 

Look at settings - there are options that you can use to avoid that. Can't stay on here long but will post more this evening.

 

Thank you Earthling. You are very helpful.

 

You are welcome but do you need further advice on using SyncBack or are you OK now?

 

I just finished my first backup with sync option. Before I proceed with following backups would you tell me wchich options would protect me from deleting backup from the destination folder in case in gets deleted at source? Please.

 

Probably simplest to walk you through the creation of a new backup profile which won't delete existing file backups if the original is missing when next run.

1. Give the profile a recognisable name and click Next
2. Select Backup and click Next
3. Accept the defaults for Source and Destination and click Done
4. OK the popup
5. Set the Source and Destination folders and OK
6. I've forgotten the wording of the final bit but you are now done.
7. Accept to run the simulation.

I suggest you do a couple of tests to start with and try deleting one file in the source on the second run to demonstrate that your backup version of the file will not be deleted. (It would be when using Sync rater than Backup)

 

Thank you very much, I will test that.