Can't Find Backup File

[Robert Lee]

I have scheduled the backup utility to back up my text files at 6:30 p.m.
every day. Each successive backup is to be appended to the prior backup.

When I look at the scheduled tasks, it tells me that the backup ran at the
specified time. But when I open up the backup file, I see some older backups
but not the most recent ones. Can anyone tell me what's wrong.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I have scheduled the backup utility to back up my text files at 6:30 p.m.
every day. Each successive backup is to be appended to the prior backup.

When I look at the scheduled tasks, it tells me that the backup ran at the
specified time. But when I open up the backup file, I see some older
backups
but not the most recent ones. Can anyone tell me what's wrong.

What does the most recent backup log report? You can see it here:
C:\Documents and Settings\RLee\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data.

What does the Task Scheduler log report? You can see it under the Advanced
pull-down menu.

What is the backup command line? You can see it in the scheduled task.

Did you ever do a successful backup? Did you ever to a successful test
restore?

 

[Robert Lee]

1. The backup log stated, "Error returned while creating the volume shadow
copy:80042316 Aborting Backup. The operation did not successfully complete."

2. The Task Scheduler stated, "Started at 10/2/2009 6:36:13 AM. Exited at
10/2/2009 6:54:32 AM".

That's interesting because the job is scheduled for "PM". And the
scheduler states that the last time the job ran was at 6:30 "PM". Does that
indicate the problem? I checked my time setting and it correctly states
whether the time is AM or PM.

3. The backup command line is, "20090927DailyDIncremental.bks" /a /d "Set
created 9/26/2009 at 2:08 PM" /v:no /r:no /rs:no /hcff /m incremental /j
"20090927DailyDIncremental" /l:s /f
"I:\Backups\2009.0927DailyIncremental.bkf""

4. Yes, this backup ran successfully until 9/30/09. And I have succeeded
in restoring files from the 9/30/09 backup.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

*** See below.

1. The backup log stated, "Error returned while creating the volume shadow
copy:80042316 Aborting Backup. The operation did not successfully
complete."

*** I would google for the error message "Error returned while creating
*** the volume shadow copy".

2. The Task Scheduler stated, "Started at 10/2/2009 6:36:13 AM. Exited at
10/2/2009 6:54:32 AM".
That's interesting because the job is scheduled for "PM". And the
scheduler states that the last time the job ran was at 6:30 "PM". Does
that
indicate the problem? I checked my time setting and it correctly states
whether the time is AM or PM.

*** It probably means you're looking at the wrong report. When
*** I suggested a report folder I assumed that you would run the
*** job under your own account in the Task Scheduler. If you use
*** a different account (e.g. a dedicated "Scheduler" account, which
*** is highly recommended, then you need to look elsewhere. Why
*** not run dis command from the Command Prompt?
*** dir /s "c:\Documents and Settings\backup*.log"

3. The backup command line is, "20090927DailyDIncremental.bks" /a /d "Set
created 9/26/2009 at 2:08 PM" /v:no /r:no /rs:no /hcff /m incremental /j
"20090927DailyDIncremental" /l:s /f
"I:\Backups\2009.0927DailyIncremental.bkf""

*** What is the date/time stamp of I:\Backups\2009.0927DailyIncremental.bkf>

 

[Robert Lee]

You were right. There was another entry on the Task Scheduler log which
states:

"20090927DailyDIncremental.job" (ntbackup.exe)
Started 10/2/2009 6:30:01 PM
"20090927DailyDIncremental.job" (ntbackup.exe)
Finished 10/2/2009 6:30:25 PM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).

Does that tell you anything?

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

You were right. There was another entry on the Task Scheduler log which
states:

"20090927DailyDIncremental.job" (ntbackup.exe)
Started 10/2/2009 6:30:01 PM
"20090927DailyDIncremental.job" (ntbackup.exe)
Finished 10/2/2009 6:30:25 PM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).

Does that tell you anything?

It tells me that the backup job ran for 24 seconds. The full details would
be included in the ntbackup log file (backupXX.log).

 

[Robert Lee]

Here is what the NT backup log stated when it ran for 25 seconds:

"Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:80042316
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete."

Does that tell you anything?

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Here is what the NT backup log stated when it ran for 25 seconds:

"Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:80042316
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete."

Does that tell you anything?

In other threads involving the Windows backup utility, the conclusion seems
to be that it was designed to annoy, confound, instill false confidence, and
eventually cause disasters. Various people have suggested switching to
software which is not pure evil and which works easily. Perhaps someone can
chime in with some suggestions. IIRC, Acronis True Image was mentioned by
some happy users.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Here is what the NT backup log stated when it ran for 25 seconds:

"Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:80042316
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete."

Does that tell you anything?

I gave you an answer to this question in my previous reply.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

In other threads involving the Windows backup utility, the conclusion
seems to be that it was designed to annoy, confound, instill false
confidence, and eventually cause disasters. Various people have suggested
switching to software which is not pure evil and which works easily.
Perhaps someone can chime in with some suggestions. IIRC, Acronis True
Image was mentioned by some happy users.

Excellent product! Will it back up open files (e.g. a .pst file while
Outlook is active) so that it contains up-to-date information right up to
the point when the backup occurred?

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Excellent product! Will it back up open files (e.g. a .pst file while
Outlook is active) so that it contains up-to-date information right up to
the point when the backup occurred?

I don't know. I use the software which came with my Seagate external HD,
which DOES do what you mentioned.

 

[Twayne]

Here is what the NT backup log stated when it ran for 25 seconds:

"Error returned while creating the volume shadow copy:80042316
Aborting Backup.

----------------------

The operation did not successfully complete."

Does that tell you anything?

Robert,
Looks like the thread's drifting away on you. That message most likely
means the VSS (services that allow the computer to copy file "in use"
such as system files you have no conrtol over) are not running or it
could not be started.
Any chance you've had malware lately or adjusted services to speed up
your machine? That's how it usually gets disabled.
Check, and set to Automatic, the VSS services. Restart and check to
see that the VSS setting "stuck".

For a shorter test: Then try to back up say the Windows folder or any
folder with an open document you purposely opened for the test. If it
gets backed up, VSS is working.
Let the backup complete and check the logs for "success".


VSS Setting:
Start; Administrative Tools; (or any way you know to get there);
Services. Pull the left column to the right so you can read the names.
Find "Volume Shadow Copy" in the list (may vary slightly) and see if
it's set to automatic. Double click or right-click & choose Properties,
start the Service, set to Automatic and you should be OK. Back your way
out.
Restart the computer to be sure the setting "sticks". If so, you
should be all set now. Perform a short test by backing up a file "in
use"; it should work fine.

That's the first step: I think it's the issue. If not, there are more
things can be done.

Oh: If VSS doesn't exist or has been completely disabled, no sowftware
of any kind, Norton or Acronis et al will be able to work it either.
It's the VSS that enables copying of files in use.

HTH,

Twayne`