I have Windows Update set up to download and notify me to install (so it won't reboot and miss a scheduled backup). Every time I install a major update, such as the one distributed this week, my scheduled backups do not back up anything (file size is 2KB) for a couple of weeks. Then starts working again on its own. Why?I have XP Home on this computer - I also have 2 Computers with XP pro that do not exhibit this issue.I have backups scheduled to perform an image once a week, with incrementals the other 6 days. The backup drive is an external connected via USB. After about a week and a half to two weeks, the backups begin to actually contain data (file size back to normal). This happens without any intervention or changes on my part. The issue is consistent with the major security backups that are distributed thru Windows Update.

Hi, Welcome to Microsoft Windows 7 Answers Forum! You may try the steps below and check if the issue gets fixed. Now try disabling the security software on your computer and check for the issue. If the issue still exists then you may perform a cleanboot on your computer to identify the conflicting software or program. Clean Boot Troubleshooting. 1. Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. User Account Control permission. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, Or click Continue. 2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup. 3. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup items check box. 4. Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All. 5. Click OK. 6. When you are prompted, click Restart. 7. After the computer starts, check whether the problem is resolved. If the issue is resolved check which third party program is causing the problem, referring the link given below: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 Reset the computer to start as usual. After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual: 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. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart. Thanks and Regards: Suresh Kumar- Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forumand let us know what you think.