Vista - Backup broken - involved non standard install of Vista

This is an informational notice. The bug has been reported.

Well, Vista backup has changed since RC1 5600, the last version that I was
able to use full system backup. Starting with RC1 5728 backup (on my
computer) ceased to function. The same condition exists in build RC2 5744.

Hardware:
Asus A7N8X2.0 Deluxe M/B (3 years old - one of the first with onboard SATA)
2 gig of Crucial PC3200 RAM, running in dual mode
2 SATA hard drives (Seagate 160 gig)
2 ATA-100 hard drives (W.D. 160 gig)
The rest doesn't enter into the equation.

First, I only believe in clean installs. Because I had problems early on in
the beta testing, with the Vista installer corrupting a drive other than the
one I was installing to (lost everything from that drive), I have for the
last 4 builds been physically disconnecting all drives, except the one I am
installing Vista to. Starting with build RC1 5728 I have had issues with the
supplied backup program. Prior to 5728, backup worked just fine.

I install Vista RC2 to the last remaining hard drive, containing 2
partitions. I will call these partitions C: and F:

After the install I thoroughly check out the operating system, add a file
manager program and then create a full system image of drive C: and store it
on drive F:. To be certain that the image is competent, I reboot the
computer. I then restore the image, booting from the Vista DVD. The restored
image is competent. It boots, everything works as it should and the one
small application I installed is still working.

Now I shut down the computer. I reconnect SATA 2 and my 2 IDE drives. I turn
on the computer which takes me to the boot manager program (System Commander
2000) which I have installed on a small DOS partition. This program allows
me to boot into either DOS, WinXP-1, WinXP-2 or Vista. It also allows me to
hide the operating systems that I am NOT booted into from the actively
booted system - eliminating possible cross contamination due to rogue
applications, virus's etc.

Booting into Vista RC2 5744 I am able to access, read and write to all of my
drives and partitions, including a CD burner and a DVD burner. I start the
Vista supplied backup program. I allow access via the UAC prompt. I then
choose complete backup.

Imagine my surprise when I get a popup stating that I do not have "any"
backup media installed. The program identifies no hard drives. Nor does it
identify my burners as a viable option. I can not backup to anything. Nor
can I access the backup I made just 10 minutes prior, although it is
physically still present on drive/partition F:

Remember, the backup program worked fine under Vista RC1 5600 using the
exact same physical setup and the same setup methodology.

I have no answer for this, and I am pretty good at working around
difficulties such as the one presented above.

This one has me stumped!

No need to answer this as it is just informational, but feel free to comment
if you wish.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Posted using Vista RC2 5744

(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!