NT Backup not working on W2K3 DC
Dear experts,
I have posted this question a few months ago but didn't bet any solution. I now need to find a solution (or alternative) to this problem.
Basically NTBackup on one of our W2K3 servers isn't "100%" working. It is running on a DC (not Master) at a remote office and is the only server there; and all we backup are files on its local drive (D:\ drive). We schedule it to run overnight (using the /UM switch) and backup to DDS tapes.
What happen is, when I checked the event log in the morning I can see NTBackup DOES start at the scheduled time but it never finishes. I don't see any error report in the log regarding NTBackup so basically the process starts but just doesn't finish, no error whatsoever.
NTBackup is not corrupted because a/ I have another schedule which backup local files to local .bkf file which works, and b/ if I start the process manually backup will successfully complete (on tape).
The job was created using the Domain Admin account so no permission issue here. It is only backing up local files so no network issue here. Remote user assured me they put tape in every night. No error in event log; NTBackup generates a blank report after the schedule.
One more "strange" thing is that the same command (I copy the same command line and paste it to another W2K3 server and edit the content accordingly) works fine on another server; only different is that the latter is NOT a DC.
Is there anywhere else I can do? I am running out of idea here please help.
Thanks in advance.
I have posted this question a few months ago but didn't bet any solution. I now need to find a solution (or alternative) to this problem.
Basically NTBackup on one of our W2K3 servers isn't "100%" working. It is running on a DC (not Master) at a remote office and is the only server there; and all we backup are files on its local drive (D:\ drive). We schedule it to run overnight (using the /UM switch) and backup to DDS tapes.
What happen is, when I checked the event log in the morning I can see NTBackup DOES start at the scheduled time but it never finishes. I don't see any error report in the log regarding NTBackup so basically the process starts but just doesn't finish, no error whatsoever.
NTBackup is not corrupted because a/ I have another schedule which backup local files to local .bkf file which works, and b/ if I start the process manually backup will successfully complete (on tape).
The job was created using the Domain Admin account so no permission issue here. It is only backing up local files so no network issue here. Remote user assured me they put tape in every night. No error in event log; NTBackup generates a blank report after the schedule.
One more "strange" thing is that the same command (I copy the same command line and paste it to another W2K3 server and edit the content accordingly) works fine on another server; only different is that the latter is NOT a DC.
Is there anywhere else I can do? I am running out of idea here please help.
Thanks in advance.
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Ok. Is there any other process running at that time? Can you delete the job and create again just to test its working?
ASKER
There is no other job running at that time. If I run the scheduled job in Scheduled Task it works fine. I have deleted the job and start from scratch many times.
No user will be able to change the tape because the task it run at night time. the job will complete in approx 1 hr (you can tell it is only a small job).
No user will be able to change the tape because the task it run at night time. the job will complete in approx 1 hr (you can tell it is only a small job).
Ok. What do you mean it never finishes? Does it hang in the middle and remain as it is?
ASKER
Looks like putting the Verify on finishes the job. I shall keep my eye on this for the next few days and reward the points. Thanks.
ASKER
Backup didn't complete, we are back to square one I am afraid :(
Quite sure the backup job did start because :-
1. A blank report has been generated.
2. If I checked on Scheduled Tasks it states the Last Run Time of the job.
Putting the /v switch seems to solve the problem for ONE day - very strange? If I kick start the scheduled job (from Scheduled Tasks) it runs and completes successfully.
Any more idea?
Quite sure the backup job did start because :-
1. A blank report has been generated.
2. If I checked on Scheduled Tasks it states the Last Run Time of the job.
Putting the /v switch seems to solve the problem for ONE day - very strange? If I kick start the scheduled job (from Scheduled Tasks) it runs and completes successfully.
Any more idea?
This is strange problem. As I think, when backup job run on a schedule and tends to completion, it passes the signal to the OS that job is completing or completed. According to this you can see the pop-up stating job is completed.
In your case either OS is not getting signal from a program when it runs on a schedule OR Backup job is failing to update this status to OS. I need to look into this for more details. What do you think?
In your case either OS is not getting signal from a program when it runs on a schedule OR Backup job is failing to update this status to OS. I need to look into this for more details. What do you think?
ASKER
I have been on this for a while without finding a solution. The job sometimes completed (no reason), but most of the time it never finishes, with NO error in either the backup report or event log. I can actually see the job started (from event log) but there is no record saying it finishes or has error, it just vanished.
Is your OS updated? Have your system infected with rootkit or a threat is lying in your system? What is the status after job vanishes? Does it show any files copied to the destination?
ASKER
I believe the system is up-to-date and no virus report.
In NTBackup - a blank report created; but when I check from RESTORE - no entry was created
In Event log - I can see the backup has started, but no record showing it finished
In Scheduled Tasks - I can see the Last Run time and Next Run time been updated
In NTBackup - a blank report created; but when I check from RESTORE - no entry was created
In Event log - I can see the backup has started, but no record showing it finished
In Scheduled Tasks - I can see the Last Run time and Next Run time been updated
Will need to dig into it. I am still looking for good option or solution. I will update you the same if found something fruitful.
ASKER
I redo the scheduled job and it has been working for the past couple of days. Don't know why though.....
Thx for input anyway.
Thx for input anyway.
ASKER