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Windows 10 Backup Failed

I have an HP computer that I have upgraded to Windows 10. I am trying to complete a backup using the system restore. Each time it fails and gives me the message that the backup did not complete correctly. I tried to defrag and do a clean up first. I also tried to back up using the Windows 10 file history backup feature. When I do this I get the error message that the backup failed due to a Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) err. The error occurred while trying to contact VSS writers.

Any suggestions as to what to complete the backup to an external drive and why these errors are showing up?
Thank you
D

John

What I do (and have done several times) on a computer that came with Windows 7 or 8 that got upgraded to Windows 10 and does not work properly is to do a non-destructive (Keep Everything) Repair Install. That often fixes these errors.

Go to the Media Creation Link

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Windows 10 is running, so click on the Download button (not Upgrade Button, select Open (Run) but NOT Save. Allow the program to run. Allow drivers to update. Then select Keep Everything.

Deedee Flax

ASKER

Thank you. When I go to that link are you referring to the button Download Tool now under the heading Create Windows 10 installation media? I attached a screen print
Download-tool.JPG

John

When you click on Download, select Run (not Save). When you Run, the Repair Process will start. It does take a while.

Deedee Flax

ASKER

Thank you. In my screen print that was the correct button to click on to download though right?

John

Yes and just select Run

Deedee Flax

ASKER

When I click on the button, I automatically get a Save dialog box. It does not give me the option to just run.

John

What browser? I am using Edge and I can consistently get both options (Run or Save (as))

Deedee Flax

ASKER

Thanks. I used Internet explorer and it allows me to select run. It gave me a percentage of the MediaCreation tool.ext download and then asked if I want to allow this app which I said yes. I got a window that said...Getting a few things ready and then a window appeared about license terms. I chose to accept, then the next screen asked about an upgrade this pc or create installation media. I chose create installation media and then the next screen it asked for language, architecture and edition. Next screen showed the media to use and I chose iso file, it asked where to save it and then it says downloading and the progress is slow, but understandable. After it gets to 100% is that when I choose to keep everything?

John

Yes it takes a while but late in the process is where you select. Keep your eye on it.

nobus

are you sure there's nothing wrong with the system? since the backup fails?
look in eventviewer>system logs for errors

noxcho

Interesting would be to check the logs and error messages instead of doing any repair installations. Headaches are not healed by re-birth as you know.

Deedee Flax

ASKER

The media creation link did not work. I followed the instructions and it ran for over 12 hours and got stuck on 42%. I left for an appointment and came back a couple of hours later and it was off the screen but I couldn't see that it did anything and never asked me about keeping any files. Here are the specifications of the computer....does it seem like it has enough space and RAM for Windows 10 to run correctly?

I will also look in the eventviewer for errors. These are the errors I have received so far, i have them attached as well as the specs.
backup-restore-error-message.jpg
computer-management.jpg
Eventviewer-log.jpg
spe-ccs-1.jpg
specs-2.jpg
VSS.jpg

John

The machine looks like it should be capable.

Either (a) contact HP Support, or (b) back up completely and do a fresh install of Windows 10.

Deedee Flax

ASKER

Thank you for the help. The problem is that I can't do a fresh install as I can't do a complete backup. This is where I get the error.

John

Since Repair did not work, I am not sure what other choice you have.

Back up the data (documents) by traditional means to a USB hard drive. I assume you have the software. Then you could do the fresh install.

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noxcho

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nobus

did you inspect event viewer for errors?
you can also run hardware diags - i use the UBCD for this :
Hardware diagnostic CD UBCD
---------------------------------------------------
go to the download page, scroll down to the mirror section, and click on a mirror to start the download
Download the UBCD and make the cd <<==on a WORKING PC, and boot the problem PC from it
Here 2 links, one to the general site, and a direct link to the download

since the downloaded file is an ISO file, eg ubcd527.iso - so you need to use an ISO burning tool
if you don't have that software, install cdburnerXP : http://cdburnerxp.se/

If you want also the Ram tested - run memtest86+ at least 1 full pass, - you should have NO errors!
direct download : http://www.memtest.org/

For disk Diagnostics run the disk diag for your disk brand (eg seagate diag for seagate drive) from the HDD section - long or advanced diag ! (runs at least for30 minutes)

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

** you can make a bootable cd - or bootable usb stick
*** note *** for SSD drives use the tool from the manufacturer, like intel 's toolbox :
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/18455/Intel-Solid-State-Drive-Toolbox

for completeness -here's how i handle disk problems : https://www.experts-exchange.com/Storage/Hard_Drives/A_3000-The-bad-hard-disk-problem.html

==>>****in order to be able to boot from CD or usb - you may have to disable secure boot in the bios

Deedee Flax

ASKER

Thank you