I get this error when trying to use Vista's backup and restore center utility to create a backup image of my C drive. Used to work just fine. The error is "The Semaphore timeout period has expired" . I am using a Seagate Freeagent 320gb with eSATA.

What does this mean and any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanx a lot guys!!!!

The computer "lost connection" with the device over eSATA and in an attempt to reconnect has timed out...

Through some investigation (5 minutes of Google research *glare*) it appears to be large video files (of the WMV format) that cause Vista to hang while copying over a network (wired or wireless) or over any other external connection (i.e eSATA)...

ok thanks a lot ill have to look more into but at least i know what it means now.