Re: back not backing up

It is possible that RSM is currently confused and does not know if
a tape is inserted or not. Rebooting the server should clear this
condition.

When you run ntbackup manually then you press certain buttons
to tell the job to use the current tape. This option is not available
when ntbackup runs under the Task Scheduler. You need to use
the /um switch - see here: http://www.jsiinc.com, tips 5955 and 2265.

I suggest you now do this:
- Add the /um switch so that your batch file line looks like so:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@C:\Documents and
Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
NT\NTBackup\data\backup.bks" /n "Media created on %date% at %time:~0,5%" /d
"Backup" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hc:off /m normal /j "backup" /l:f /p "4mm DDS"
/um
This is, of course, one long line. I have added a couple of
%variables% so that the tape is tagged with today's date and time.
- Run this batch file from a Command Prompt.
- If it works, run the batch file via the Task Scheduler.

Your strong area of experience and expertise appears to
lie in areas other than server management. Given this situation,
it is only a matter of time until your business suffers a major
data loss or a security breach. There is now a need for you or
for your manager to make a business decision. What is most
cost effective for your business:
a) To leave things as they are and accept a major loss within
a year or two?
b) To pay for you to attend a professional server management
course?
c) To pay for a qualified professional to assist in the management
of your servers?

If you accept option a) then here is a typical example of what
can and will happen, taken from a recent post in this forum.
================
I am currently using windows sbs 2003. I have foolishly gone and used
shadow copy without researching it properly. I have reverted my entire
file server back to a date that was a month ago. I had no knowledge
that i could not undo this. I was thinking the whole process would be
like an Xp restore point. That is, I could restore the server to a month
ago to retrieve a single file. Then revert back to now. Problem is,
because i have reverted the entire drive, there were lots of files that i
have lost alot of saved changes. I need to be able to get those files back.
Is there ANYTHING i can do in this case. Or would you say i am truly
screwed!

================

"alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:8D372387-9EF1-4EE5-9F8B-A3134B60C146@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> here's the batch file
>
> C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@C:\Documents and
> Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\NTBackup\data\backup.bks" /n "Media created 11/18/2005 at 12:05 AM" /d
> "Backup" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hc:off /m normal /j "backup" /l:f /p "4mm
DDS"
>
> here is the line from the task scheduler
> C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "@C:\Documents and
> Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\NTBackup\data\backup.bks" /n "Media created 11/18/2005 at 12:05 AM" /d
> "Backup" /v:yes /r:no /rs:no /hc:off /m normal /j "backup" /l:f /p "4mm
DDS"
>
> here's what was in the .log file
> Cannot locate the specified media or backup device. This backup operation
> will terminate.
>
> and yes the test folder was made.
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> > I see. The purpose of the batch file was to run your backup
> > command in a closely controlled environment. It seems you
> > did not really do this.
> >
> > Now open the task in the Task Scheduler that performs the
> > backup. In the "Run" box it has a very, very long line. This
> > is called the "Command Line": It is what gets executed at the
> > scheduled time. Highlight it, press Ctrl+C, then open the
> > batch file I suggested, go to the line that starts with "ntbackup",
> > create an empty line, then press Ctrl+V. You have now
> > pasted the command line into the batch file. Remove my
> > own line starting with "ntbackup" - it is a sample only. And
> > while you're at it, paste the command line into your reply
> > in this thread.
> >
> > Now use use Task Scheduler to run the batch file, then
> > report the things I suggested before:
> > - Post the whole ntbackup command line
> > - Post c:\test.err
> > - Post the backup??.log pertaining to this run.
> > - State if the folder ?:\Test was successfully created
> >
> > Make sure to report on everything, not just a subset of
> > the above items. This thread is getting very long, largely
> > because of a lack of feedback.
> >
> >
> > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:F417BF14-9EEF-44C4-9CBB-AE0F6BB9534B@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > ntbackup command line? I am a little confused, i don't have a batch
file
> > that
> > > run's the ntbackup. I use use the Task Scheduler to run to ntbackup
which
> > was
> > > setup from within ntbackup. I ran your batch file and it gave Command
Line
> > > Problem: A valid backup operation was not specified on the command
line.
> > So
> > > now what?
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > This is like pulling a wisdom tooth . . . I wrote in my previous
> > > > reply "Post the whole ntbackup command line". You responded
> > > > by saying "A valid backup operation was not specified on the
> > > > command line.". Very well - but where is this command line?
> > > > Your treating it as if it was a dark secret!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > > news:B58FF87D-042A-47D7-8FAE-1B9C3F082801@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > the log had this in it
> > > > > Command Line Problem: A valid backup operation was not specified
on
> > the
> > > > > command line.
> > > > >
> > > > > and the test folder did get created
> > > > >
> > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > There is a time lapse of 2 minutes between the start and the end
> > > > > > of your batch file. Presumably this is the time it took for
ntbackup
> > > > > > to figure out that it was unable to complete the task. The next
> > > > > > steps are obvious:
> > > > > > - Post the whole ntbackup command line
> > > > > > - Post c:\test.err
> > > > > > - Post the backup??.log pertaining to this run.
> > > > > > - State if the folder ?:\Test was successfully created.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > > > > news:A7D64FA5-52DC-45E6-868F-63B00C957990@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > I just did it and the log put this out
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Fri 11/18/2005 20:32:00.46 Start of task
> > > > > > > User=wink, Path=C:\Program Files\Windows Resource
> > > > > >
Kits\Tools\;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem
> > > > > > > ErrorLevel of c:\Tools\YourTask.exe=87
> > > > > > > Fri 11/18/2005 20:32:02.50 End of task
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "alex" wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I forgot about that i am doing full back-ups of system state
and
> > all
> > > > > > > > information on the server drives which are local not
networked
> > > > drives. I
> > > > > > am
> > > > > > > > using the main administrator account which has access to
> > everything
> > > > so
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > rules out your thinking of networked drives and the account
> > without
> > > > > > correct
> > > > > > > > permissions. I will give your idea a try and report back...
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I'm glad to read that the backup log files were there
after
> > > > > > > > > all. If you're serious about your backup operation then
> > > > > > > > > you will have to examine them once a week.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > You're not telling us what you're backing up to. I suspect
> > > > > > > > > it's a networked drive. I also suspect that you're using
> > > > > > > > > an account for the scheduled task that has insufficient
> > > > > > > > > access rights to that drive. Copy the command line from
> > > > > > > > > the scheduled task into the following batch file:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > @echo off
> > > > > > > > > echo %date% %time% Start of task > c:\test.log
> > > > > > > > > echo User=%UserName%, Path=%path% >> c:\test.log
> > > > > > > > > md x:\Test 1>>c:\test.log 2>c:\test.err
> > > > > > > > > ntbackup @... / / / 1>>c:\test.log 2>c:\test.err
> > > > > > > > > echo ErrorLevel of c:\Tools\YourTask.exe=%ErrorLevel% >>
> > > > c:\test.log
> > > > > > > > > echo %date% %time% End of task >> c:\test.log
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Where it says "md x:\Test", place your actual backup drive
> > letter.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Now run this batch file under the Task Scheduler, then
examine
> > > > > > > > > the two log files. I suspect it will make it very clear
why
> > your
> > > > > > > > > jobs fail.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > > > > > > > news:EC96587E-4A56-4B60-8F89-70F4B9E5F5B9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > they say Cannot locate the specified media or backup
device.
> > > > This
> > > > > > backup
> > > > > > > > > > operation will terminate.
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > When i do it myself it works but what can i do to make
it
> > work
> > > > by
> > > > > > Task
> > > > > > > > > > Scheduler ?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Look in "c:\documents and settings" for files called
> > > > > > > > > > > "backup*.log". They are located in the profile folder
> > > > > > > > > > > of the account under which you ran the backup job.
> > > > > > > > > > > The command
> > > > > > > > > > > dir /s "%userprofile%\..\backup*.log"
> > > > > > > > > > > will find them for you if you still think they are not
> > there.
> > > > > > > > > > > What do they contain?
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message
> > > > > > > > > > >
news:177B17EA-FD7B-4650-B7A9-31CF1AC45447@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > > > I don't have log files and the event log doesn't say
> > much
> > > > > > besides RSM
> > > > > > > > > was
> > > > > > > > > > > > started and then the next event says RSM was
stopped.
> > Like
> > > > it
> > > > > > tried
> > > > > > > > > but
> > > > > > > > > > > did
> > > > > > > > > > > > go....
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "alex" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
> > message
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > news:4A1A3314-45C4-4F8E-B6D3-38D535A5BA9A@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > All of our servers are running w2k3 and using
the
> > > > back-up
> > > > > > software
> > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > > > comes
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > with it, i have it the servers to be backed up
with
> > > > > > Scheduled
> > > > > > > > > Tasks
> > > > > > > > > > > and do
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > full back-ups and overwrite whatever is on the
tape
> > but
> > > > it's
> > > > > > not
> > > > > > > > > > > working.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > If
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > i do manually it works fine what can i do to
make
> > this
> > > > work?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > There are three types of logs that relate to
scheduled
> > > > > > > > > > > > > backup jobs that use ntbackup.exe:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > - The event logger
> > > > > > > > > > > > > - backupxx.log in your profile folder
> > > > > > > > > > > > > - The log maintained by the Task Scheduler under
> > > > "Advanced".
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > What do they report?
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
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