in windows 7 backup, i can't make a "system image". backup works ok and i have a large external hard drive. i get error 0X8078015B. please help i have a new computer

My system crashes during the middle of backup to external hard drive for both system image and working files.

Hi Sherwoodkiper,

Thanks for posting in Microsoft answers!

a. Where are you trying to save the system image backup to? Is it the external drive?
b. Do you get any other error message apart from the error code 0X8078015B?

Firstly, I’d suggest you to put your computer in clean boot state and try performing a system image backup and check if that fixes the issue.

Refer the link below for details on system image:

What is a system image?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-a-system-image

Putting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. If yes, you may go ahead and disable or uninstall the same.

Follow the below steps to put your computer in clean boot state:

1. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
2. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)
4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.
5. Click OK, and then click Restart.

The above steps would put the computer in clean boot state. You may try and create a system image now and check if you succeed with creating the system image.

Refer the link below for more details on clean boot:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

After you’ve finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

1. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
2. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
3. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

You may also refer the following TechNet link where a similar issue has been addressed:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itprogeneral/thread/ace9f979-2f0c-4f00-b104-96279972fa92

Let us know if this helps or for any further support.

I have the same problem with making a system image for an HP Envy Spectre 14 running Windows 7.

I am using a Seagate Backup Plus Drive with a capacity of 1.8 TB so I know capacity is not an issue. I can backup personal files to this drive, but I cannot create a system image from Windows.  I get 2 error messages:

1. 0x8078015B when accessing remote shared folder.

2. 0x80070079 semaphore timeout period expired.

I tried the clean boot and got the same result. What do you suggest?