Volume Shadow Copy is Caput

[wtl1]

For about two weeks I've been wrestling with volume shadow copy error. See attached screenshot.

I've run multiple Check Disks and Scans and they haven't fixed it.  I've also tried most of the repair strategies listed here http://www.tomahawkbackup.com/faq/content/5/117/en/volume-shadow-copy-service-vss-troubleshooting.html.  Didn't work.

A Microsoft Tech Support agent ran Windows Repair All v1.9.12 and even that didn't repair the problem.

I am not running any other backup or shadow copy service.  And the drive for the backups is fine.

The Windows 7 Action Center will not let me change the backup location (an external drive) nor restore a backup.  Maybe registry keys for VSS have been fouled up by some registry cleaning about two weeks ago.  But how to repair it?

Short of reloading Windows 7, any repair ideas?  Thanks.

[Shane]

Have you tried any of these yet?
http://www.tweaking.com/articles/pages/tweaking_com_registry_backup_online_help,2.html

Also if you ran all my repairs in my windows repair tool then the vss service reg keys would have been put back in. So the problem may be else where

Shane

[wtl1]

Thanks, Shane.  Will give the link a try and rerun the repair tool. Beats calling Microsoft TS and having them run your repair tool. 

Glad there are a few guys like you are "out there". 

[Shane]

Let me know if any of those on the page help. My reg backup tool uses VSS so that's why I made that page

Shane

[wtl1]

As you suspected, the problem was indeed "elsewhere".

Somehow my product id for Windows 7 was changed a few weeks ago.  (Don't ask me how. Virus? Windows 7 came pre-installed with the Dell computer almost 3 years ago. Never a problem.)

While the Action Center still showed I was running Windows 7, Microsoft no longer recognized the product id.  This led to the failure in VSS and an occasional popup "not genuine" error message (pic attached).  Everything else worked fine.

Solution --
A higher level Msft Techie (3rd rep) took me through installation of a Windows 7 Repair (re-install without losing programs or files).  Didn't think that was possible, but it worked.  Don't know where the tool came from. After re-install, I was able to enter the correct product id. Result -- no more "not genuine" nor VSS errors.

A painful process of searching for solutions.  At least I found your awesome site.  I've already recommended it to a few self-employed Windows-challenged folks like me.

[wtl1]

Here's the link used by the Microsoft Techie to download the re-install tool:

http://superb-dca3.dl.sourceforge.net/project/sevenzip/7-Zip/9.20/7z920-x64.msi

[Shane]

Here's the link used by the Microsoft Techie to download the re-install tool:

http://superb-dca3.dl.sourceforge.net/project/sevenzip/7-Zip/9.20/7z920-x64.msi

That is just a free 7-zip program. He must of had you grab something else

Sometimes things are so broken in Windows that a repair install is the way to go. A repair install is basically you doing an upgrade to the same version. So all the programs and files stay while Windows gets reinstalled.

When I have users do that I first have them grab a cd with sp1 already on it
https://sites.google.com/site/linuxlablibrary/windows-iso

Then I have them follow this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Shane

[wtl1]

Excellent. You're going to put all those nice Microsoft T/S agents out of business

Wish I knew then what I know now, but I'm glad I know now what I'll need to know for the next then.

Thanks for being a great geek.

[Shane]

No problem

You know where to come if you need help again.

Shane