Windows 7 64-bit error on full backup

[Grr]

Error message when attempting "A System Image" on a Windows 7 Genuine PRO 64- bit Sony Vaio new Laptop:

"The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error".

Trying to backup on a relatively new (a month old) 3Tb WD Essential External HDD.
Tried 2 different USB ports, still the same error.

The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error (0x8007045D)
And there is another error code: 0x80078002A

Below is the event log.

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Backup
Date:          12/25/2010 7:16:04 PM
Event ID:      517
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      Admin-VAIO
Description:
The backup operation that started at '?2010?-?12?-?26T03:15:14.102239200Z' has failed with following error code '2155348010' (One of the backup files could not be created.). Please review the event details for a solution, and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.
Event Xml:

  
    
    517
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0x8000000000000000
    
    2142
    
    
    Application
    Admin-VAIO
    
  
  
    2010-12-26T03:15:14.102239200Z
    2155348010
    %%2155348010
  


Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Backup
Date:          12/25/2010 7:10:24 PM
Event ID:      517
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      Admin-VAIO
Description:
The backup operation that started at '?2010?-?12?-?26T03:09:30.572435800Z' has failed with following error code '2155348010' (One of the backup files could not be created.). Please review the event details for a solution, and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.
Event Xml:

  
    
    517
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0x8000000000000000
    
    2135
    
    
    Application
    Admin-VAIO
    
  
  
    2010-12-26T03:09:30.572435800Z
    2155348010
    %%2155348010
  


Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Backup
Date:          12/25/2010 6:59:46 PM
Event ID:      517
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      Admin-VAIO
Description:
The backup operation that started at '?2010?-?12?-?26T02:58:55.413502900Z' has failed with following error code '2155348010' (One of the backup files could not be created.). Please review the event details for a solution, and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.
Event Xml:

  
    
    517
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0x8000000000000000
    
    2090
    
    
    Application
    Admin-VAIO
    
  
  
    2010-12-26T02:58:55.413502900Z
    2155348010
    %%2155348010
  



Log Name:      Application
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Backup
Date:          12/25/2010 6:56:51 PM
Event ID:      517
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      
User:          SYSTEM
Computer:      Admin-VAIO
Description:
The backup operation that started at '?2010?-?12?-?26T02:56:05.545604700Z' has failed with following error code '2155348010' (One of the backup files could not be created.). Please review the event details for a solution, and then rerun the backup operation once the issue is resolved.
Event Xml:

  
    
    517
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0x8000000000000000
    
    2089
    
    
    Application
    Admin-VAIO
    
  
  
    2010-12-26T02:56:05.545604700Z
    2155348010
    %%2155348010
  

Please help me.

Thanks,
Grr

PS:
the system image was successfully created on my old 1Tb WD-HDD.