I am using a USB 2.0 external hard drive for the backup. Drive is considerably larger than the size of the backup, formatted with NTFS, and it is working fine, i.e. I can copy files and folders with many files inside to and from the external drive with no problems. Disk check reveals no problems with the internal or external drive. The OS is Windows XP with SP 3 and all available critical and recommended updates. No other applications are running while I am trying to do the backup. I have an up to date anti-virus program (AVG 9) installed, and a full scan finds no infections, spyware, or malware. The computer and the external drive are connected to a UPS, and there were no power "events" while the backup was running. I have successfully used the Windows Backup program on this computer to do a full backup to the same external hard drive in the recent past.6 people need an answerI do too

I am using a USB 2.0 external hard drive for the backup. Drive is considerably larger than the size of the backup, formatted with NTFS, and it is working fine, i.e. I can copy files and folders with many files inside to and from the external drive with no problems. Disk check reveals no problems with the internal or external drive. The OS is Windows XP with SP 3 and all available critical and recommended updates. No other applications are running while I am trying to do the backup. I have an up to date anti-virus program (AVG 9) installed, and a full scan finds no infections, spyware, or malware. The computer and the external drive are connected to a UPS, and there were no power "events" while the backup was running. I have successfully used the Windows Backup program on this computer to do a full backup to the same external hard drive in the recent past.

I believe I have identified a performance issue while running Windows Backup where AVG anti-virus is installed. By unplugging my network cable and then disabling AVG (I have the paid-for version with which I am very happy) I have cut the backup time in half, eg 450GB was taking 28.5 hours before verification, and now takes 13 hours. I suspected a problem because I have a dual-boot PC (both Windows XP) - normal boot on C drive with a stripped down boot on D. Backing up the C drive from the D boot was very much quicker than the other way round. The only thing running when booted on the C for a backup was AVG, and in switching it off, the benefit became immediately clear. My recommendation for an efficient secure backup: Run full scan, unplug network cable, switch off all security, and then run Windows Backup on your now stand-alone pC.