I installed, successfully, an external HDD for my backups. I am using Acronis TrueImage.

I noticed that my system restore dates vanish when I turn on my external drive and System Restore refuses to keep any dates while it is on.

I have to turn off my drive for days to build up valid system restore dates.

I thought I read that there was a conflict with System Restore keeping dates and using a USB connected hard drive..

Any ideas on a workaround so I can keep my external drive on all the time to do scheduled backups while keeping system restore compliant also?

welcome to saf;
only time i've run across this (if memory serves me right) is you need to up-date your mobo chip set drivers.