Windows Backup

[Graham]

Has any one else had any problems using the Windows backup
program. I can not seem to schedule backups. I get
messages that the media is not available check removable
storage. I have played with Removable storage for hours
but it seems very finicky. I guess I need simple
instructions on how to prepare a tape so that it is always
available for backup and can be oiver written with out
questions. Could any one help>>??

Thanks
Graham

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Schedule it with a script - it's a real pain for the novice (I consider
myself one in this arena, for sure) and happily other people have found ways
to do this beautifully. Contact me offline (un-munge my email address so you
can send to it) and I'll send you my batch file.

 

[Enkidu]

I agree Lanwench, it's absolutely horrible to get your head around.
Graham, here's the definitive reference (see the unmanaged bit)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;239892

It will still fail (silently) if there is something wrong with the
tape or it doesn't recognise the tape (ie it's a new one). Even with
unmanaged tapes I prepare them before I use them.

I schedule a run every night and I've evolved a technique for dealing
with tape problems. If the script fails run it from the command line
by hand. This usually throws up a message letting you know what is
wrong.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Don't you think that if some enterprising programmer wrote a simple
shareware GUI that incorporated RSM and NTBackup into a simple interface
they'd make a killing?

Just some simple little checkboxes for

Re-use any tape that's in there
Name it SERVER-DATE-TIME
Eject when done
Mail report to (e-mail address removed)

??? I'd buy it.

 

[Enkidu]

Actually I rarely use RSM after I switched to using unmanaged
techniques. Bung all tapes into the backup pool and it uses whatever
tape is in the Drive, just like NT.

On another setup with a proper library I use Backup Exec and it works
fine with labelled tapes. It does have a sort of interface to RSM, and
there are add-ons that enjance this behaviour, but I don't use them.

I conclude from a sample of two(!) that RSM is more trouble than it is
worth if there isn't a proper library.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Eric]

Cliff,

Thanks for the comments. How does one switch from managed
backups to unmanged backups? Is this something you turn
off in RSM? Guess I am not following you how I can run
unmanaged backups. Thanks,

Eric

-----Original Message-----
I'd say that it is unlikely to be the tape drive, and yes, I did have
problems like that. However I then switched to unmanaged backups and
have had few problems since.

Cheers,

Cliff

I have been having a bunch of trouble with NT Backup as
well. It seems to mostly be with removeable storage.
Seems like the RS will not consistently recongnize the
tapes that are put in for backup. Like sometimes it will
after a few minutes but often it will take a long time to
even recongnize the tape and then when it does it
identifies it as unrecongnized media and gives it a
number rather than the media's name. Then when I try
to "prepare" it, it won't even prepare but errors out
saying it won't. I am being to think maybe there is
something wrong with the Tape Drive. Is this coming that
you guys run into? Or could I have a bad tape drive?
It's one from Dell and probably 7 months old. It's a DDS
tape drive. Thanks,

Eric

-----Original Message-----
I agree Lanwench, it's absolutely horrible to get your head around.
Graham, here's the definitive reference (see the unmanaged bit)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;239892

It will still fail (silently) if there is something wrong with the
tape or it doesn't recognise the tape (ie it's a new one). Even with
unmanaged tapes I prepare them before I use them.

I schedule a run every night and I've evolved a technique for dealing
with tape problems. If the script fails run it from

the
command line

by hand. This usually throws up a message letting you know what is
wrong.

Cheers,

Cliff

On Sat, 9 Aug 2003 00:16:34 -0400, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<[email protected].

co

Schedule it with a script - it's a real pain for the novice (I consider
myself one in this arena, for sure) and happily other people have found ways
to do this beautifully. Contact me offline (un-munge

my
email address so you

can send to it) and I'll send you my batch file.

Graham wrote:
Has any one else had any problems using the Windows backup
program. I can not seem to schedule backups. I get
messages that the media is not available check removable
storage. I have played with Removable storage for hours
but it seems very finicky. I guess I need simple
instructions on how to prepare a tape so that it is always
available for backup and can be oiver written with out
questions. Could any one help>>??

Thanks
Graham


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--

Signed and sealed with Great Seal of the Executive
Council of the Internet, by The Master of The Net.
.