catastrophic failure (0x8000FFFF)during Back up.

Question

Hi I'm wondering if anybody can help please. well when ever I try to back up my system it starts to copy my shadowfiles etc, then a pop up appears with this catastrophic failure (0x8000FFFF) Ive tried everything to try and fix it, but cant find any information on how to fix it. I'm worried that I may have to wipe my C drive and start over again, which I really don't want too. Thanks. BTW, I'm running vista basic, Inspiron 501, duel core etc Oh a bit more information, It seems this problem started when I uninstalled Windows one live care. I hav'nt got a system restore date to go back to either. I hope anyone can help please, I would say I'm a complete novice. Thanks.

mombodog · Answer

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=0x8000FFFF+system+restore+vista

Mary G · Answer

More info needed. How, what and where are you backing up? Some new users think the tiny D restore partition is for backups. It's not. You cannot backup to your main hard drive, not even to diff partitions. Backups are for hard drive failures, so any backups on a failed drive are useless. Backup should be on a second separate hard drive--internal or external. You can use dvd'd or cd's for small backups like your document files. You don't backup Shadow copies, since they are temporary files. You backup your personal files. You have all the windows system files on your Vista install disk. If you need to backup Windows system files, buy a software program that clones the drive like Acronis. BTW, you don't even have shadow copies on Windows Basic. They are only a feature of Ultimate, Business and Enterprise editions of vista. Do you mean Restore files? You can't back those up either. Read about Backup in Windows Help for more.

skroe · Answer

Hi, I'm Trying to back up, just data I have on my PC, EG photos, music etc (basic Back up Files). You see, I keep getting a pop up telling me its been a month from my last Back up. This program worked until I got shot of Windows one care, Ive been trying to figure it out, I have a feeling either windows one care have turned the way vista backed up off, or a have a program conflict? All my Back ups where going on to DVD, until I can get an extra drive. I've Goggled this problem nearly everyday to no success-I even have an entry from a different forum. I cant seem to work out this problem. Thanks Mary G, and Mombodog... Message Edited by skroe on 01-22-2008 01:48 AM

Message Edited by skroe on 01-22-2008 01:50 AM

skroe · Answer

I was using the basic back up, just Data,Music, Pictures, Files etc. I used to back up once a month, but since removing windows one care I no longer can do this with out this error message. I have a DVD ( vista Reinstallation disc) from dell, I'm thinking is it worth trying that or waiting for SP1? but Hopefully I will find away to turn on the vista basic back up.because I'm pretty sure windows one care caused this problem when I remove the program. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/backup.mspx#automatic Message Edited by skroe on 01-23-2008 01:31 AM

Message Edited by skroe on 01-23-2008 01:31 AM

Ghotal · Answer

I was having the same problem backing up to an external drive. I scheduled a CHKDSK and then resarted my computer. (from the system restore feature) Everything is working now. No catastrophic failure message after I ran a back-up.

Windows General

Was this post helpful?