Windows 7 Backup error "The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002)"

Question

** Note that I was never able to resolve this issue. In the long run, I ended up reinstalling the operating system (for different reasons) but this particular issue remained unresolved. Thanks to those who tried to help. (January 30, 2011)

I suddenly seem to have a problem with Windows 7 Backup. I'm receiving the message "The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002)" at the point in the process when the backup is supposed to begin. This has disabled my ability to make a backup, obviously, except to directly copy files on to another hard drive. I've been able to use the same USB hard drive in the past, so I'm not sure what happened.  

I thought it might be a corrupt user profile causing the problem, but I am still receiving the same message on the new profile. I thought it might be the drive, but I get the same message when attempting to use the DVD writer.

I believe my Windows software is up to date, and I've searched in various places to find an answer to no avail. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks. I'd be happy to provide any further info you might need.

Answer 1

Hi Cuzzlor,

I finally solved the problem last week; I'd been getting the same error message for 4 months.

Even though the error message, when opened on notepad kept naming a "missing" pdf file that I had long deleted from my desktop, and the computer.  I could never find the file back.

I noticed that the Pictures Library tends to scan and add locations; it had made a location out of the folder, because it was a file created with a scanner.

I deleted the "empty" location, I don't know how I hadn't noticed it,  from the Pictures Library and my backups are error free since.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think I've finally solved the problem once and for all.

After my reply from 31 May, the shadow deletion solution only worked intermittently.

It never occurred to me that having the external USB HD plugged into an unpowered USB hub would cause the problem. Why should it; absolutely nothing in the KB or anything I've seen discussed anywhere made any mention of this being a possible cause.

But simply freeing up a USB port on my computer so I could directly connect the HD solved it for me. I've been able to continue my weekly backups with no problem whatsoever and with no need to delete shadows.

Don't know if this applies to you. Maybe it does and it'll be a quick fix for you, or it'll help someone else.

Answer 3

Hi mpatteson,

a. Do you have any other third-party backup or system maintenance application installed on your computer? If yes, please uninstall the same temporarily and try performing a backup and check if that helps in backing up successfully without any errors.

Firstly, make sure the Volume Shadow Copy service is running and the startup type of the same is set to Automatic.

1. Click Start, type services.msc in the Start search box and hit Enter.
2. Locate Volume Shadow Copy.

Check for the status. If the service is stopped, right-click and select Restart.

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Also make sure the startup type is set to Automatic under Properties > General > Startup type.

Additionally, you may also try performing a backup by putting the computer in a clean boot state.

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows 7 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

Putting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. If yes, you may have to contact the program manufacturer for any updates or uninstall and re-install the program.

Refer the following Microsoft KB article for more information on how to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After troubleshooting, make sure to put the computer to start as usual as mentioned in Step 7 in the above KB article.

Hope this helps.

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Gokul - Microsoft Support

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Answer 4

Thanks, Capt Jack. Trouble is, I've already tried the solution presented in this knowledge base article and it hasn't resolved my problem. The article mostly talks about receiving this error message after performing a backup and my problem is that I'm not even able to begin the backup. I get the error message right at the point where I click "OK" and the backup is supposed to start doing it's thing. Any other ideas on this one? I'm stuck.

Answer 5

I suddenly seem to have a problem with Windows 7 Backup. I'm receiving the message "The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002)" at the point in the process when the backup is supposed to begin. This has disabled my ability to make a backup, obviously, except to directly copy files on to another hard drive. I've been able to use the same USB hard drive in the past, so I'm not sure what happened.  

I thought it might be a corrupt user profile causing the problem, but I am still receiving the same message on the new profile. I thought it might be the drive, but I get the same message when attempting to use the DVD writer.

I believe my Windows software is up to date, and I've searched in various places to find an answer to no avail. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks. I'd be happy to provide any further info you might need.

Hello, 

Follow this Microsoft Article to resolved it http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979281

Hope this helps

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