Windows 2008 Server System State Backup

The GUI of Server 2008's Windows Server Backup doesn't allow you to run System State backups. This is a feature which will be available in Server 2008 R2, along with a host of other improvements. For now, you need to use Powershell commands.

Firstly I am assuming you already have the Windows Server Backup feature installed on the server. If not, execute the command ServerManagerCmd -i Backup from a Command Prompt or Powershell prompt.
The specific powershell command to do a System State Backup is wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:[Volume Drive Letter or GUID]. For example, to start a backup to the D: drive, use wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:D:
If you want to schedule the task, you need to use Task Scheduler in Administrative Tools to create a new job. Set the action to be the path above, with the appropriate drive letter entered.
At this time, you cannot back up a System State to a network share or to a specific folder within a volume.
-Matt

Thanks, I can run wbadmin from a cmd line but if I open 2008 powershell I get an error saying I need to desigate a volume but I have. It is the same command I'm using in the regular cmd prompt

What command liine are you using? Perhaps that will help us.

There are a set of Powershell cmdlets you can add to a powershell window to gain Windows Server Backup support in Powershell: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd759156.aspx

However, Powershell support for actually executing backups can get interesting. I just launch backup commands using a command prompt.

-Matt

I'm using PowerShell & using the cmd:

wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:g:

It works from a cmd line but not in PowerShell

As I said previously, Powershell support gets a little interesting. I am by no means a Powershell Expert so don't know why this solution works, however you need to pre-fix all your parameters with a backtick (`).

So, for example wbadmin start systemstatebackup `backupTarget:g:

Place the backtick there and it will work from Powershell flawlessly.

-Matt

Sorry, I just realised I missed a hyphen in my last post. The actual command should have a hyphen (-) between the backtick (`) and "backupTarget", so...

wbadmin start systemstatebackup `-backupTarget:G:

-Matt

Hi wantabe2,

I am just wondering whether there was any specific reason why you awarded a 'B' grade for this question? I feel I answered your requirement on running it in Powershell directly.

I'd like to hear your opinions on this. Thanks!

-Matt

Vee Mod, perhaps he felt it only a "B" because the actual command line that worked was not given the first time. In his defense I would say that would be a "B" not necessarily an "A". my two cents... Otherwise change the grading scale to a 10-Point Must System. :)

Some how i don't believe thats they way it really works or is supposed to. I've been here since 2000 and never seen it any other way than it was in this case. If it were a true 10point must a ABC grade would not be involved at all. My opinion only.

My point exactly.. He had to do more research before he got the correct answer. Although it was given in the end.  Tomatoes, Tomotoes.. which ever. :)..

The first suggestion lazarus98 gave me is the way I fixed my problem....I must have awarded point to the wrong person...I think all the points should go to lazarus98...

Tigermatt...thanks for catchig this for me..BTW..the first suggestion you gave DID NOT work. By the time you re-posted your correct post, my problem had already been solved by the link lazarus98 suggested

Windows 2008 Server System State Backup in the WindowsImageBackup folder save backup as shadow copies and contains backup catalog information; backup file (vhd), MediaId and the other require configuration file for successful restore. Question the folder WindowsImageBackup is 14.1GB is this a complete full backup of C: drive is 28.7GB?  Why is the backup of WindowsImageBackup folder so large?  If I did a restore from the WindowsImageBackup folder would I get a complete backup of the C: drive?