the_griz
asked on
Will Microsoft Backup Ever REALLY Work?
I am currently using the backup utility in Windows 2003 Server to backup a series of PCs. Nightly jobs run which
1) Map a machine's C drive to a particular drive letter
2) Run a full backup of the mapped drive
3) Disconnect the drive.
I have found this utility useful for recovering data files and settings. However, the last few times I have attempted to recover entire machines, the recovered drives from backup always fail to come up due to windows OS issues.
QUESTION:
Are there any settings or tricks to get the Windows backup utility to FULLY be able to backup and subsequently restore a system drive (aka "C" drive.)
Am I kidding myself that this is an effective solution?
Tonight's Case:
Failed hard drive was replaced. Used external USB case to attach new drive to W2K3 Server. Used recent backup file and recovered all files onto the new drive. Checked permissions on files and everything was OK. Installed drive in the user machine and began boot process. Received errors like "***.dll is not a valid Windows image." The system will not come up. Even if the dlls that are giving the errors are manually replaced with the pristine ones, the system locks up with no warnings (safe mode too.) Therefore, in my opinion, the Windows backup is NOT providing me with a full system backup and thus a false sense of security.
1) Map a machine's C drive to a particular drive letter
2) Run a full backup of the mapped drive
3) Disconnect the drive.
I have found this utility useful for recovering data files and settings. However, the last few times I have attempted to recover entire machines, the recovered drives from backup always fail to come up due to windows OS issues.
QUESTION:
Are there any settings or tricks to get the Windows backup utility to FULLY be able to backup and subsequently restore a system drive (aka "C" drive.)
Am I kidding myself that this is an effective solution?
Tonight's Case:
Failed hard drive was replaced. Used external USB case to attach new drive to W2K3 Server. Used recent backup file and recovered all files onto the new drive. Checked permissions on files and everything was OK. Installed drive in the user machine and began boot process. Received errors like "***.dll is not a valid Windows image." The system will not come up. Even if the dlls that are giving the errors are manually replaced with the pristine ones, the system locks up with no warnings (safe mode too.) Therefore, in my opinion, the Windows backup is NOT providing me with a full system backup and thus a false sense of security.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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An alternative to using a backup program is to use a disk imaging product to take images of the disks in machines. For disaster recovery purposes, imaging products are often better than backup products. Have a look at the products on http://www.acronis.com
I agree with Darwinian999 for workstations. Imaging products (like ghost http://www.symantec.com/Products/enterprise?c=prodinfo&refId=865) are much better to be able to restore the entire system.
Also you should train your users to store documents on server shares such as their home directories and back them up daily to tape. We have had a long standing policy of not recovering any files that were stored on the user's workstation. They are all directed to store files on their home directories and use offline files and folders if they are a mobile user.
For server backups you would be much better off with an enterprise solution like CA's Arcserve or Veteras' Backup Exec. May cost you a little more up front, but nothing is more important than a good backup.
Hope this helps!
Also you should train your users to store documents on server shares such as their home directories and back them up daily to tape. We have had a long standing policy of not recovering any files that were stored on the user's workstation. They are all directed to store files on their home directories and use offline files and folders if they are a mobile user.
For server backups you would be much better off with an enterprise solution like CA's Arcserve or Veteras' Backup Exec. May cost you a little more up front, but nothing is more important than a good backup.
Hope this helps!