Updates on Vista Backup and Restore Errors and Solutions table

Error or Symptom

Cause/Solution

System Restore fails with the following error:

The Restore point could not be created for the following reason:

Windows cannot create a shadow copy due to internal error in other system components. For more information view the event log. (0x81000109)

We’ve seen a couple causes for this error:

(1) A disconnected external SCSI disk was marked as Offline in Disk Management. Turning off the driver fixed the problem.

(2) System Restore was failing due to a buggy BIOS that changes the disk enumeration order based on the presence of a bootable DVD. One workaround is to explicitly set the BIOS boot disk priority order. Most likely, the second hard disk needs to become the first in the list. This will cause the disks to get enumerated in the same order, regardless of whether there is a DVD present.

(3) Disk incompatible with Windows Vista causes residual information of the disk to leave behind even though the disk is disconnected. The Workaround is to use Device Manager to disable the “phantom” disk (submitted by a customer)