I can't make a backup

[Jerombolo]

I want to make a backup onto my external HDD but it always says: The service can't be started because it's disabled or not with activated devices connected. (0x80070422)

[IP man]

Try to format it

[Jerombolo]

I fixed it. Had to change something in the services.mse

[EmeraldFlame]

I assume you mean the built in windows backup?

From a quick google search it looks like this often happens when a required service to do a backup is disabled. 

 

• "Remote Procedure Call" (RPCSS) should be enabled, Automatic.
• "COM+ Event System" (EventSystem) should be enabled, Manual.
• "System Event Notification Service" (SENS) should be enabled, Automatic.
• "Volume Shadow Copy" (VSS) should be enabled, Manual.
• "Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider" (SWPRV) should be enabled, manual.
• "Block Level Backup Engine Service" should be enabled, manual

Check those and make sure that they are set appropriately. If they aren't enabled do so. If you can't enable them, it is usually 1 of 2 culprits.

1. Malware is disabling the services
2. Windows files may be corrupt

[soup]

Under Windows7?  Have an SSD in the loop?

 

Try restarting the defrag service .  I wanted to shrink a volume but it would never allow it as it would say "this service...". Restarted the defrag service and all was hunky do

What it looks like:-

 

 

 

Spent so long faffing about editing that Jerombolo had already sussed it.

[Jerombolo]

I FIXED IT! Services.mse, windows backup or whatever, and then set it to automatic, it was disabled