How to delete old Windows 2008 R2 Backups - Disk Full
I am doing disk image backup nightly of a Windows 2008 R2 server. it is supposed to overwrite oldest backups but it is not. Backups are failing because the disk is full. Another identical server has no problem.
Now I cannot even delete old backup jobs.
1. When I use wbadmin Delete Systemstatebackup command, I get the error:
"This command can be used to delete backups that only contain the system state."
2. When I use vssadmin delete shadows /For=E: /Oldest and similar commands, I get the error:
"Snapshots were found, but they were outside of your allowed context."
I have checked and rechecked my syntax for both commands and have tried to delete oldest or a specific job by ID, but nothing works.
Please help.
AK
Now I cannot even delete old backup jobs.
1. When I use wbadmin Delete Systemstatebackup command, I get the error:
"This command can be used to delete backups that only contain the system state."
2. When I use vssadmin delete shadows /For=E: /Oldest and similar commands, I get the error:
"Snapshots were found, but they were outside of your allowed context."
I have checked and rechecked my syntax for both commands and have tried to delete oldest or a specific job by ID, but nothing works.
Please help.
AK
ASKER
The first command I had tried was:
wbadmin delete systemstatebackup -keepVersions:50
and got the error: 'This command can be used to delete backups that only contain the system state.'
No, files cannot be moved because they are too large for other disks.
You say - "I believe the commands are not working because your disk is full."? So what is one to do?
wbadmin delete systemstatebackup -keepVersions:50
and got the error: 'This command can be used to delete backups that only contain the system state.'
No, files cannot be moved because they are too large for other disks.
You say - "I believe the commands are not working because your disk is full."? So what is one to do?
I would start deleting old backup files to free up disk space
post your mksbackup.ini
post your mksbackup.ini
ASKER
Do you manually delete old backup files or thru some utility? HOW can you safely delete old backup files -- that was my primary question!
Where is mksbackup.ini file located?
By the way, the catalog of backup seems corrupt because the oldest version shown with WBadmin is not same as oldest version from VssAdmin tool. Can Catalog be regenerated?
Where is mksbackup.ini file located?
By the way, the catalog of backup seems corrupt because the oldest version shown with WBadmin is not same as oldest version from VssAdmin tool. Can Catalog be regenerated?
SOLUTION
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folder is magik it is created when you install
No never have to manually delete backup files the keepversions option works.
I also get an email after the backup which give me all the information about the config files
I believe your catalog is corrupted and that's why you are having this issue
Yes you can build a new catalog.
Post your mksbackup.ini
No never have to manually delete backup files the keepversions option works.
I also get an email after the backup which give me all the information about the config files
I believe your catalog is corrupted and that's why you are having this issue
Yes you can build a new catalog.
Post your mksbackup.ini
ASKER
Sandeep,
Yes, I have seen that link. Did not help.
Another similar link helped a bit:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/filecab/archive/2009/06/22/backup-version-and-space-management-in-windows-server-backup.aspx
I could delete some files using DiskShadow utility, so now disk has space. But, the backup still fails, most likely because Catalog is corrupt. Can catalog be recreated?
Yes, I have seen that link. Did not help.
Another similar link helped a bit:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/filecab/archive/2009/06/22/backup-version-and-space-management-in-windows-server-backup.aspx
I could delete some files using DiskShadow utility, so now disk has space. But, the backup still fails, most likely because Catalog is corrupt. Can catalog be recreated?
ASKER
trgrassijr55,
What 'magik' folder? And install what?
You say - "I also get an email after the backup which give me all the information about the config files". Are we talking about the same thing here?? My question is about Window 2008-R2 native backup.
Please don't post if you don't understand the question.
I have not found commands to build a new catalog, which will have information about all the past jobs.
What 'magik' folder? And install what?
You say - "I also get an email after the backup which give me all the information about the config files". Are we talking about the same thing here?? My question is about Window 2008-R2 native backup.
Please don't post if you don't understand the question.
I have not found commands to build a new catalog, which will have information about all the past jobs.
Well I must say
I can not help you without seeing you mksbackup.ini
Just search the server for it
As I told you to clear up this issue delete the files and recreate the catalog again
In the mksbackup.ini has settings for email and other features
I can not help you without seeing you mksbackup.ini
Just search the server for it
As I told you to clear up this issue delete the files and recreate the catalog again
In the mksbackup.ini has settings for email and other features
ASKER
You don't seem to know that MKSbackup is not a built-in Microsoft utility. It is a 3rd party add-on. We have been using just the native WBadmin tool of Microsoft. So MKSBackup.ini file in nowhere to be found. Thanks.
Yes I do know that it is not a built in product.
how to you run the backups?
Do you have a cmd file? post it.
mksbackup.ini is created when you install the product.
What version are you running of MKSBackup
I am running version 1.0.4
how to you run the backups?
Do you have a cmd file? post it.
mksbackup.ini is created when you install the product.
What version are you running of MKSBackup
I am running version 1.0.4
ASKER
trgrassijr55,
Please stop helping me. You are totally clueless in this matter. How many times I have to say that I have not installed MKSBackup.
I am running backup from the GUI of WBadmin in Win 2008-R2.
Please stop helping me. You are totally clueless in this matter. How many times I have to say that I have not installed MKSBackup.
I am running backup from the GUI of WBadmin in Win 2008-R2.
You are totally wrong you have no idea about what I am saying
You are the one who is clueless
If you can not find the ini file then why are you working on a server you must not have any idea on what you are doing
You are the one who is clueless
If you can not find the ini file then why are you working on a server you must not have any idea on what you are doing
SOLUTION
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SOLUTION
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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
As I explain in the 'Best Solution', my own suggestion to use Diskshadow.exe and reboot helped. I gave some credit to others because of their effort which I appreciate.
I believe the commands are not working because your disk is full.
Can you move the files to another drive
The keepversions option will delete the files based on the number you place there