I have a 500G LaCie external drive connected by ethernet to my router. I can see it on My Computer, I can transfer files to it via Easy Transfer, or I can copy and paste. Buit I cannot use Backup. It doesn't list the drive as an option. I figured it might have something to do with permissions on the drive so I right clicked and gave everyone full control. Still nothing. Would appreciate any suggestions. Tnx.

I had a similar problem with a USB external drive. I could see it in Widows Drive Management but not in Windows Explorer or my back up software. My fix was open Windows Drive Management and assign it a drive letter ( P:) example, and from then on all was fine.

Hi Edison53, I suggest you start the Virtual Disk and the Volume Shadow Copy services to check the issue. 1. Click "Start", type "services.msc" (without quotation marks) in the Search bar and press Enter. 2. Click Continue button to verify the administrator permission. 3. Right click Virtual Disk service and choose Properties. 4. On General tab click Start. 5. Choose Automatic next to Startup type. 6. Click OK. You can repeat the above steps for the Volume Shadow Copy service. Whats the result? If it does not work, I suggest you create a new partition on your external hard disk to check the issue. Good luck!Arthur Li - MSFT

Oh good grief -- after some further research, I discovered that in the switch from RC to Win7 Home Premium, I lost the ability to backup to a network location. And if I do want to back up to a network location, I need to pay MS another $90 for Professional. Good heavens -- this is a feature I used to have with OneCare, which cost $60 for THREE computers.

Hi, Can you backup to your external hard drive now? Yes, you cannot backup to a network location in Windows 7 Home Premium. You may refer to the following link to compare the difference between Windows 7 editions. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare Arthur Li - MSFT

Yes, I now use GFI Backup. Still an issue or two to resolve there but seems to be working well. Surprised to see MSFT doesn't have a similar service at a reasonable price, as it was part of OneCare, to which I subscribed.