Windows 7 Backup problem error "not enough space on the external drive to do a system image. "

Question

I am having a problem doing a backup to an external hard drive. The backup tool says there is not enough space on the external drive to do a system image. But when I go into the options and uncheck the box to create a system image, the size it gives for the backup does not decrease. I've tried restarting the computer, but it still has the same problem. It seems to be stuck with a backup size of 308 GB even though I have turned off the system image. How do I get it to recalculate how much space a backup will take after I change the settings?

Answer 1

Hi Steven,

It is possible that the size of the system image getting created is more than the free space you are having. Refer to the below mentioned link on system image back up and check if this helps.

http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/archive/2009/10/31/learn-more-about-system-image-backup.aspx

You can also check if you are getting any errors in the Event viewer. To open event viewer follow the below mentioned steps:

1. Click the Startbutton then click Control Panel in thisclick System and Maintenance.
2. Now click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Event Viewer.‌ If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Click an event log in the left pane.

Double-click an event to view the details of the event.

If the hard disk does not have enough space, then I will suggest you to use disk clean up utility to delete the files that are not essential to you :  Delete files using Disk Cleanup

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hey Steven, a few questions

How big is the external hard drive?

And What files are you trying to back up?

Usually with a backup it will save all documents and system files, but system files alone don't take up that much space comparably, so the main bulk of back up size is probably from personal files such as movies, word documents or pictures.

Answer 3

At first it was set to back up all the user's library files -- documents, photos, videos, and also do a system image. It said the backup was 308 GB. I go into settings and uncheck the make a system image option, save settings, and it still says the backup is 308 GB. I go in, uncheck all the files except for one folder on c:\ which has a few megabytes, save that and it still says the backup  is 308 GB. Why is it not refreshing the required backup size when I remove things to backup? 

Is it stuck reporting the backup size at 308 GB because the last scheduled  backup failed since there was enough room? I've turned off the scheduling and that has not affected it either.

Answer 4

I find it funny that the answers Microsoft give are generic and obviously the real problem hasn't been addressed.  If the original question had been read you might have seen that he is NOT creating a system image.  He unchecked that box.   I too had the same issue but after i unchecked the system image box I was able to do a back up.  My laptop never gave an actual size of my back up file so not sure the issue.  It seems Microsoft needs to read more and find some answers cuz I'm an IT tech and I never can find an answer to anything on Microsofts website.  Pretty sad that when working on apple products I'm able to find more help on their site cuz their technicians actually read the questions.  If I had the money I would be switched to apple in a heartbeat.  Jmo.  BTW the event logger I use daily in my job but most of the time it is in terms even people with a degree like me can't understand.  Maybe that's something you could improve on too?

Answer 5

If I had the money I would be switched to apple in a heartbeat.  Jmo

Would you say that you get what you pay for? Expensive Macs, extensive help?