Solved: problems with backups to external hard drive

[farlem99]

My pc has Vista Business. Don't know if this is a Vista problem or a hardware problem: using the Backup
and Restore Center, I backed up my files (docs, etc.) and also did a complete computer backup to my new 250GB external hard drive on Oct 31. I then scheduled a file backup only for every Saturday thereafter. I then turned off the drive.

On Saturday Nov 3, I turned the drive on just before the time for the backup, and shortly the scheduled backup tried to begin, but the drive K:\ could not be found and thus the backup failed. I then turned the drive off, rebooted the pc, then manually started the file backup from the Backup Center. It worked this time. So I tried the complete backup again just to see if that would also work, but once again the pc could not find the drive.

The drive came with a backup utility (Memeo AutoBackup) that I chose not to install because Vista has a good backup utility. Does anyone out there have any suggestions or observations on what is happening here? Mike

 

[DoubleHelix]

Is K: the drive letter actually assigned to the drive?
Can you read files on it?
Write files manually to it?
Does it not work at all anymore?

 

[farlem99]

yes, the drive letter is now assigned to the drive.
yes, i can see the files on the drive.
yes, i have manually written files to the drive when i succeeded in making the "files" backup yesterday.
the drive does work.
the problem is the pc does not acquire it when i turn the external drive on. to get it to work, i have to disconnect the usb cable from the drive, reboot the pc, then reconnect the cable. then start the backup and all goes ok for the "file" backup but it will not do a "complete pc" backup.

 

[DaveA]

What make and model is this USB external drive?

 

[farlem99]

Dave, it is a Buffalo Model HD-HCU2 DriveStation

 

[DaveA]

At http://www.moresales.com.my/catalog/entry/ofphgqmv.shtml says NOTHING about supported on Vista.

If using memeo Backup go to http://www.memeo.com/autobackup_1.htm#Vista and get the Vista download.

If not using memeo what are you using?

 

[farlem99]

as i said in original thread, using Vista's nice backup center, which allows both file and complete pc backups.

 

[DaveA]

Also did you read that Vista is NOT supported by the hardware OEM?

 

[farlem99]

sure did

 

[farlem99]

hold it, i misread your reply. the seller said the hardware was vista compatible.

 

[farlem99]

also, the software mgf offers a vista update. now, i know the drive works for file backups because it has already done it. my concern is about the complete pc backups. is there some kind of workaround that will get me a pc backup on this unit?

 

[farlem99]

perhaps this has been a learning experience for me, Dave, as i just managed to complete and verify a full pc backup using Vista's Backup Center. There is a switch at the back of the Buffalo drive that allows one to select Auto backup or Manual backup. I switched to Manual, then tried the complete backup and everything went great. Thanks for your assistance, though. I am going to stay with Vista and not mess with Memeo, because it doesn't do complete backups. Thanks goodness complete backups don't have to be done often. I plan to do one every month.

 

[DaveA]

I use DriveImage and it does a great job.

 

[farlem99]

thanks Dave. will make note and use that program if necessary.