I cannot get the backup function to operate. I have an external hard drive that I have been periodically backing up to but now my computer won't open my F Drive to backup. Computer recognizes the drive but nothing happens when I click on it.1 person needs an answerI do too

Hi, 1. Which backup utility tool are you using?2. Are you able to select the other drives?3. Did you make any changes to the computer recently? I would ask you to set the computer to clean startup and then try running the backup utility and check..How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" statehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/en-usNote: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow the steps as explained in the article to reset the computer to start as usual.Also refer:How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Editionhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/320820 Hope this helps.Thanks and Regards:Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think. If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Thanks for responding. I'm not terribly computer saavy so I hope I can give you enough information to help you understand my problem. I have XP Professional (with service pack 3) installed on my computer. First of all, when I open "My Computer" it does a search (rotating flashlight) for 2-3 minutes before it opens the My Computer page. It has never done this before. (I don't know if this is relevant to my backup problem.) I can select and open all of the drives. Last year I installed a portable drive to backup the information on my computer and that is found in my F drive. I can open the F drive but when I try to open the backup icon, it doesn't open. I performed the last backup on January 18 with no problems and I've never had any problems with previous backups. I usually backup my computer once a month. I haven't made any changes to my computer recently. Thanks again for your suggestions (I haven't done them yet) and let me know if this additional information sheds any more light on my situation. Sharon