need an ntbackup script for Windows 2003 that works

[Richard Darling]

I have used the ntbackup command on nt 4 successfully for years, but I'm having no luck in writing a script that performs a scheduled backup on W2k3. I get the different media errors relating to the use of rsm.

Has anyone figured this one out yet? I have read all the posts here and at several other sites...nothing has helped.

And, yes, I do reward points to all answers...check out my porfile.
Thanks!
Richard

[Ganesh Babu]

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-1009378.html

check this one.. this could be the problem

Ganesh

[Ganesh Babu]

http://www.ilopia.com/Windows+Server+2003/Articles/59.aspx

i found this one too.. hope this helps..

Ganesh

[Jon Finley]

Hmmm.... was THIS your error message?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;817688

Jon

[Richard Darling]

Hi Ganesh,
Thanks for the replies, but neither one of them apply to my issue. The first one you posted refers to a known compatability issue od reading tapes from previous versions of Windows. The second one is essentially a "Backup 101" introductory that has no references to running a batch file/script backup.

I'm looking to write a script that will perform a backup on a previously used tape. The problem is occurring on tapes that have already been used. I've tried using the rsm command line to clear and mark the tape as free, but I'm missing something.

I would really like someone to post a copy of a script that is working on 2003, and overwrites used tapes.
Richard

[Richard Darling]

Hi Jon,
Thanks for the reply, but the backup doesn't even start. I receive the error:

"Cannot locate the specified media or backup device. This backup operation will terminate."
The only article in technet was:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;816588&Product=winsvr2003

At tektips this problem has been discussed at length, but no one has been able to get it to work yet.

http://www.tek-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/3/lev3/19/pid/931/qid/755282

Again, if anyone has a script thta works please post it. Thanks.
Richard

[Joel_64]

Hi Richard,

try this one

@echo off
cls
echo.
echo Please insert correct tape for backup or press CTRL_C to Abort..
echo.
ntbackup backup systemstate C:\ E:\ /v:yes /j "MS-SQL server Backup" /d "SERVER & REGISTRY BACKUP" /hc:on /l:s /p "4mm DDS" /UM

This worked fine on win2k server, although I find that leaving the UM at the end will give you an error at the start of your log "Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:800423f4". But if you take it out then I receive the error that you get "Cannot locate the specified media or backup device. This backup operation will terminate."

I am going to experiment with turning /SNAP:{on | off} to see if that will fix that error with creating the volume shadow copy:800423f4. However backups seem to be ok and I have also managed to restore rom tape.

Cheers
Joel

[Richard Darling]

Hi Joel,
Your script wouldn't be useful for a scheduled backup; which would be unattended. I need one that will work unattended. Thnaks anyways.

[Joel_64]

Hi Richard,

I tried the script with the switch snap:off and it yielded a better result last night, i.e.
ntbackup backup systemstate C:\Backup C:\Defrag_Logs C:\download C:\Drivers C:\tapediagnostics E:\ /v:yes /j "MS-SQL server Backup" /d "SERVER & REGISTRY BACKUP" /hc:on /l:s /p "4mm DDS" /um /snap:off

Sorry I should have mentioned that I use something called runner.exe to automate my backups every night. It's basically some sort of scheduler that creates a text file RCOMM.TXT and in it this is the entry:

[every day]

[su]

[mn]

[tu]

[we]

[th]

[fr]

[sa]

[wo]
23:00 c:\Backup\backnow.bat
[wd]

Backnow.bat is the batch line where I put the command line script above.

Let me know how I can email you this runner.exe scheduler. So far so good with our win2k and win2003 servers every night.

Cheers
Joel

[Richard Darling]

Hi Joel,
Thanks for the info - I'll give it a shot next week. My email is:

rdarling@southwickclothingX.com

Please remove capital X after "g" and before "."