Backup error 0x81000037

Deil Grist · April 11, 2014

So I'm at that point where SMART says my hard drive is failing yadda yadda (it was slowing/freezing/not loading programs) and I unfortunately wiped my external backup to get a fresh system image replacement because the restore points were taking up too much space, so now I'm in a bit of a pickle, Here's the scenario:

I was getting the I/O error, but turning off my antivirus during backups has fixed that.

Now I'm having the shadow copy error (0x81000037). I've enabled all hidden files and hidden OS files to be enabled and have run the Junction (reparse) finding command line, but when I go to check those areas of my drive, none of the junction file types are Mounted Volume (which the link below says are the only ones I should delete).

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/254476-backing-up-system-image-error-0x81000037.html

What steps should I take from here? I've already used checkdisk on my main and my recovery drive, and I'm running Windows 7. I'm going to try a reboot in the meantime.

ross06187 · April 11, 2014

I would back up files. get a new drive and reinstall windows. backing it up wont cover the OS fully and any corruption in the os files will come back to bite you later.

I would keep doing what you doing. backup the main files photos ect.

buy a new drive. reinstall the os on the new drive. (you can keep the old one as a back up if you have missed anything)

Then make a proper back up. remember system restore and system images are complexity different things.

Deil Grist · April 11, 2014

Right, I know system restore and system image are two different things. There were too many system restore points, but cutting down to one didn't free up enough space for it to finish the backup (odd, because I've only added maybe 200 megs since the last backup. I had 260 gigs total, and a 500 gig external for backups). Really shot myself in the foot on this one. I'd much prefer to use a system image, but I have all the files I need to keep on my flashdrive.

Deil Grist · April 11, 2014

I've read that there is third-party software that can do your system image/backup and that, for some people, the issue lies in the way the provided Windows backup solution works. Can anyone recommend a free/under $10 software backup solution?

ross06187 · April 12, 2014

I've read that there is third-party software that can do your system image/backup and that, for some people, the issue lies in the way the provided Windows backup solution works. Can anyone recommend a free/under $10 software backup solution?

Hi Deil. quoting people helps them know things have been added to a thread. its also a good idea to follow your own post to get the updates.

No backup software is going to work for you. the hard drive has issues it will therefor likely not read fully on all sectors leading to errors in any software.

Free stuff that can do what you want include the Hiren's BootCD 15.2. a boot able cd or usb dirve with lots of utility's on it including disk cloning and imaging software. (again this probably won't work as the disk is damaged)

your best bet is to manually copy of all the important files then replace the drive and do a fresh install of windows. cloning windows will work but any corruption in the disk caused by the bad drive will still be there and it will lead to problems. its also good practice to reinstall windows every 2-3 year. it makes a big difference to pc performance removing all the clutter.

ig33ku · April 13, 2014

Deil Grist, like most people have said, first stop using the doomed OS, the more you use the worse the bad sectors spread. Immediately get another HDD to serve as your system HDD. Then and only then can you proceed with backing up your files in any manner you choose.