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error code 31 on batch file with psexec - ntback list of computers

Can't get my batch file to successfully run. I'm getting error code 31 from psexec v1.94. What I am doing is running a batch file that goes out and backs up all the computers i've designated in a text file, one at a time to a target share in a ws2003 domain. I'm running the batch file as a domain admin. Ran fine on a test environment. I can psexec cmd to the computers and run other commands like ipconfig, etc. Triple checked my paths. I tried a simpler way and got same error 31:
>psexec \\INTENDEDCLIENT ntbackup backup C: /f "\\TARGETSERVER\backup\INTENDEDCLIENT.bkf"

PsExec v1.94 - Execute processes remotely
Copyright (C) 2001-2008 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

ntbackup exited on INTENDEDCLIENT with error code 31.

My code snippet is a single line in a .bat file. All XP Pro SP2 machines. I've accomplished this in the past doing the computers one by one.

for /F %%a in (c:\backup\machines.txt) do psexec \\%%a ntbackup backup C: /f "\\TARGETSERVER\backup\%%a.bkf" /SNAP:on 2>>C:\backup\ntbackuplog.txt

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RobSampson

Hi, the exit code 31 is an NTBackup exit code, not from PSExec itself. Have a look at the NTBackup log files on those remote computers and see if that gives you more info.

Regards,

Rob.

pcrequest

ASKER

backup log says:

Backup Status
The operation was not performed because the specified media cannot be found.
----------------------
Event viewer:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: NTBackup
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8017
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 1:14:01 AM
User: N/A
Computer: [INTENDEDCLIENT1]
Description:
NTBackup error: 'The operation failed. Consult the Backup Report for more details.'

I verified I can write to the target machine's folder as the user I'm running the batch as, from an afflicted computer. I can verify the ntbackup process runs under the same user

RobSampson

Hi, I don't use NTBackup, but after reading these:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc160782.aspx
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814583

I would suspect that you may need to add a couple more switches...try this:
for /F %%a in (c:\backup\machines.txt) do psexec \\%%a ntbackup backup C: /f "\\TARGETSERVER\backup\%%a.bkf" /SNAP:on /FU /M normal /UM 2>>C:\backup\ntbackuplog.txt

You might to double check that the command actually runs locally first, by just running
ntbackup backup C: /f "\\TARGETSERVER\backup\%hostname%.bkf" /SNAP:on /FU /M normal /UM 2

on that machine.

Regards,

Rob.

pcrequest

ASKER

I figured out if I inlclude the psexec username switch -u then the error go away. Strange because it wasn't needed in my VM lab environment--similar domain. Also odd because I'm running the batch under the same user context as specified in the -u deal.
Solved.
If anyone can explain why, they get the points. Thanks all.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

RobSampson

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pcrequest

ASKER

I may post a related, new question regarding how to backup all harddrives in an automated fashion. right now i have to supply a drive letter- only way i know how to do it. might be limitation of ntbackup. thanks for the explaination.

RobSampson

No problem. Just a heads up on your new question....you could use VBScript to detect all local drive letters of a computer:

strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colDisks = objWMIService.ExecQuery("Select * from Win32_LogicalDisk")
For Each objDisk in colDisks
Wscript.Echo objDisk.DeviceID
Next

then just add that to the command line as needed...and have VBScript execute that command:

strCommand = "ntbackup backup " & strDriveLetters & " /f ""\\TARGETSERVER\backup\%%a.bkf"" /SNAP:on 2>>C:\backup\ntbackuplog.txt"
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
objShell.Run strCommand, 0, True

Regards,

Rob.