XP Pro Backup Does not work

I have read past threads, here and elsewhere, of the backup on MS not working. I have tried to use third party software with it not working as well. I am lead to think maybe a service may be the issue but am not sure. I looked for a list of services but would like to bring this matter to the geeks here, pun intended...

here is the log shortly after running MS Backup:

Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 1/21/2010 at 6:50 AM"

Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:800423f4
Aborting Backup.

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The operation did not successfully complete.

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Thanks ya'all...

WinXP Professional
Pentium 4 CPU 2.8GHz
1.5GB RAM, PC133
(egyptian hak XP SP3)

 

:confused I'm not quite sure what this means, but I think it means you're running a hacked version of Windows (meaning: bootlegged/pirated/w@R3z). If so, then there's not a lot I can personally offer except this: "get a legit Windows, install it fresh, and you'll be good to go". If you're running a legit Windows (or your Windows 'source' has no effect on your problem in your opinion), maybe you can tell us which 3rd party back up tools you've tried, and the error/problems you've experienced with those. Also, if we knew exactly what type of backup you're trying, it might help. Are you trying a full system backup like you would with Acronis (for example), or are you trying to backup certain files/folders using automated methods, or what? In other words, some details of your situation would be helpful too.

(EDIT- I believe there's a 'Volume Shadow Copy' service in XP and it may be that yours is disabled; click Start, click Run, type services.msc and press Enter to bring up the list of services; locate the Volume Shadow Copy service and make sure it's enabled and running with a right-click > Properties; then make the appropriate changes)

 

sorry bout that

it has been a while and did not save a copy of the log file, i know the problem has been ongoing and have never remedied the issue.
most backups will start but immediately stop after starting, Microsoft Backup utility shows the error listed; Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:800423f4.

Volume Shadow Copy shows as manual and stopped. Sounds like it is called to work when needed, I am right to think this? Or should the Start be present instead of the Stop? Automatic is not necessary because the Startup can be called to as Manual, correct?

 

I'm not running XP at home anymore, but in Win7 it's normal for the Volume Shadow Copy service to be set for 'Manual', and I'll assume it's the same for XP. I did some research for you over at the Microsoft Knowledge Base, and most of the info is for Windows Server 2003, but some should apply to XP also. Here's some links to some results of searches I ran:
http://support.microsoft.com/search...id=global&catalog=LCID=1033&1033comm=1&res=20
http://support.microsoft.com/search...id=global&catalog=LCID=1033&1033comm=1&res=20
http://support.microsoft.com/search...id=global&catalog=LCID=1033&1033comm=1&res=20

I hope this helps! What 3rd party programs have you tried? What were the results or errors? What type of backup have you tried when using 3rd party tools?

 

I made a small advance this morning. If I go into the advance button at the end of the Backup, I can tick the box asking to have the volume shadow copy disabled. After doing so, I sucessfully created a backup file. However, it is needed to have Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) to run a full back up? This is the intended goal, not just a single file to test the utility.

 

Ok, I would have no change from the Win7 to XP Pro for VSS, setting at manual.

I will read this over, thank you.

It has been sometime since using any third party software, I remember they did not work. I don't have the software, believe I downloaded it as a freeware and don't have the name now.

 

I have found when I turn off the volume shadow copy I am able to make a backup of a file, small file at first before getting a larger backup. The volume shadow copy is needed to make a backup of system files that are being used by the system at the time of a backup. Is it possible the VSS depends on other services/components? I would like to check a list of these to the system I have running.

 

Does anyone know what components are needed to run the backup?

 

Still needing some help with this, thanks...