Back up Errors

[patchrunner]

I am running vista ultimate but I cannot create a system back up.  When I try using the back up and restore centre,  I get the message  "The back up application could not start due to an internal error. Server execution failed (0x80080005)  can anyone help ?

[ireland-1]

do you have McAffee?

[Quantos]

patchrunner, what media are you trying to backup to?

[patchrunner]

Sorry to be so long replying,
 Yes I am using McAfee and I am trying to back up the system to a 350 Gb external hard drive
the auto restore point back up system works fine but I cannot get a complete back up to work.

[Quantos]

Are you trying to back up your entire drive?

I mean OS and installed programs, or just the documents and data?

[patchrunner]

Yes I am trying to back up the operating system and the files

[Quantos]

Why? 
It's easier to just back up your settings, documents, and data.  Reinstall the OS from scratch, that way you get an optimized system when you recover.

<edit>  There are some files that won't back up properly.  Nobody backs up the OS.  </edit>

[patchrunner]

when the back up creates a new restore point I get a message that says "A complete back up of this computer has not yet been made. It is recommended that a complete back up is created"
That is why I have been trying to do it, but it will not work.
If it is not important I will ignore it

 

[Quantos]

No, it's not important, just back up the stuff that you add, like photos, videos, saved game files, music.....

I might recommend that you download and store the service packs from MS, and any utilities and software that you download, that way you don't have to go looking for them later.

But I wouldn't waste time or storage backing up what you have disks for.

[patchrunner]

Thanks Quantos
I will do as you suggest.