Backup still won't work despite system restore

My Vista Backup utility still fails to start, continuing to cite an error code which refers to a known bug in the software. Apparently, a backup which does not contain at least one new file, activates the known bug which makes every subsequent backup attempt fail when starting.

The workaround doesn't work because in order to create a new, full backup, (which supposedly avoids the bug); it is necessary to start the Backup application. Trouble is, it doesn't start, ... because of the known bug.

Visa "Repair" only works on startup files, of which Backup is not one. The next option after "Repair" is "Restore", but despite having 'restored' my system to an earlier date, before the backup problem started, the Backup utility still doesn't function. I lost some recently installed programs in the restore, so it caused a lot of work for no benefit.

It is a closed loop. Can I break out of it, short of a full re-install of Vista?

Whatever you do now to try and rectify the problem I'd certainly backup all your documents etc. as any form of repair might bring more problems. Searched for solutions to the problem but unsuccessful. Not the same error code but interesting nonetheless; http://blogs.vertigo.com/personal/al...Post.aspx?ID=5 .
Have you tried scannow; http://vistasupport.mvps.org/system_file_checker.htm , even this can have some risks.
On XP at the moment but if I remember rightly you can navigate to a window in 'backup' to tick a box to start a new backup. Try ticking the box and reboot. See if you can start from scratch.
Otherwise have you thought of using another method or software for backup?