External Hard Drive Backup Problem


  1. Posts : 199
    Windows 10
       #1

    External Hard Drive Backup Problem


    I accidentally ejected my Western Digital "My Passport" backup. I unplugged from the USB port and plugged in again. My Passport now appears in Devices again. However when I go to Settings/Update/Backup the option to "Add a Drive" has vanished and when I click on More Options/See Advanced Settings the options to select the frequency of backup along with how long backups should be retained and the facility to select files to be backed up has vanished as well. I have never used The My Passport software relying on Win 10. I am assuming this is something to do with ejecting the hardware but I need to know how to restore the advanced options and Add a Device. Help please. Win Version 20H2
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  2. Posts : 18,426
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Have you tried unplugging the drive, reboot the computer using Restart from the power menu on the start menu, then plug the drive back in once Windows has rebooted?
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  3. Posts : 199
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Yes, but not in that order. I will have another go.

    - - - Updated - - -

    That's interesting because when I disconnect "My Passport" and re-start the beast, if I go to "Backup and Restore" in Control Panel it says "My Passport disconnected". So, that means that the computer still knows all about "My Passport" even though it is disconnected and no "Add Device" option in Settings. When I Reconnect "My Passport" I still have the same problem. Sounds as though I need to remove every trace of My Passport from the computer. Any thoughts please?
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  4. Posts : 18,034
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #4

    Hello @Judesman, the drive wasn't Mounted was it?
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  5. Posts : 199
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Paul Black. Sorry, I don't know what "Mounted" means.
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  6. Posts : 18,034
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #6

    Hello @Judesman,

    Judesman said:
    Paul Black. Sorry, I don't know what "Mounted" means.

    If you had a System Image / Backup file for example, and then right-clicked it and selected Mount, it would show as a Virtual Drive.

    Because you use your External HDD for Backup, I just wondered if you had Mounted a System Image / Backup file and then Ejected it somehow while it was still Mounted.

    I hope this helps.
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  7. Posts : 199
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Paul Black. Thank you for your help. All my backup files appear as they should (I think) and the image files have a "Mount" option. I am very reluctant to play around with these as I am not much of a techo. The computer is timed to do a backup this evening so I will see what happens.

    - - - Updated - - -

    My computer backed up successfully last night. This leaves me wondering what has happened to the update options in Settings. Could someone with the V 20H2 update, please, have a look in Settings/Update & Security/Backup and see if the "Add a Device" option is there also, if you click on more options is there any info under "See advanced settings". If I click on See advanced settings it just greys out whereas I used to be able to set backup times, check when the last backup was completed and add and remove files. But, not anymore. Is this something to do with 20H2 update? Thank you.
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  8. Posts : 23,360
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4355 (x64) [22H2]
       #8

    Judesman said:
    Paul Black. Thank you for your help. All my backup files appear as they should (I think) and the image files have a "Mount" option. I am very reluctant to play around with these as I am not much of a techo. The computer is timed to do a backup this evening so I will see what happens.

    - - - Updated - - -

    My computer backed up successfully last night. This leaves me wondering what has happened to the update options in Settings. Could someone with the V 20H2 update, please, have a look in Settings/Update & Security/Backup and see if the "Add a Device" option is there also, if you click on more options is there any info under "See advanced settings". If I click on See advanced settings it just greys out whereas I used to be able to set backup times, check when the last backup was completed and add and remove files. But, not anymore. Is this something to do with 20H2 update? Thank you.



    Most of us on here use Macrium Reflect backup software. Unlike the Windows backup software, Macrium actually works... consistently.

    Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free
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  9. Posts : 199
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thank you Ghot. Can you tell me whether the "Add a Device" option is in Settings/Update & Security/Backup, if you click on more options is there any info under "See advanced settings". If I click on See advanced settings it just greys out whereas I used to be able to set backup times, check when the last backup was completed and add and remove files. But, not anymore. Is this something to do with 20H2 update?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Is this how "Back up Using File History" appears on your computer please. With the options missing?External Hard Drive Backup Problem-back-up-using-file-history.png

    - - - Updated - - -

    Problem solved. Reset File History.
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