Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues

Nicho · 09-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Ok, let me start by saying hello to everybody, I've just registered and this is my first, probably n00b question I have regarding a server I have setup. I dont have to much experience with server's so please bear with me.

I am trying to backup all the data on the C:\ drive for obvious safety using the standard Windows Backup Utility provided with Windows 2000 SP4. I am backing up the data to an external 160Gb USB HDD set for a schedule of 23:00 every Friday.

The total size of the raid array is 80Gb (3 Mirrored 80Gb SCSI drives) with approx 70Gb full. I have told the backup utility to copy all data from the C:\ drive to a backup file on the external drive at its least peak load hours.

Now although the backup starts ok, when I go to check the external drive the next morning, the backup file is only 8Gb. At first i thought maybe this was somekind of amazing compression done during the backup process, but opening the backup file and looking at the file tree, it seems only aproximatly 1/4 of all the data had been backed up.

My question is basically what I am doing wrong. Why wont it copy the full 70Gb of data onto the drive. Is it because I'm using an external USB drive or have i mearly got a setting wrong somewhere.

Either way I'm pretty worried about loosing the data stored on the drives and would be greatful if anybody here could point me in the right direction.

Regards,
Nicho

P.S. Server is quite an old model dual processor, Pentium 3 with 1Gb RAM running Windows 2000 Small Business Server Service Pack 4. If you require anymore information please let me know.

meadeetx · 10-09-2007, 10:49 AM

I am having the same problem. I will be sure to let you know if I discover the solution.

ecrocombe · 10-09-2007, 11:40 PM

NTbackup does not support backing up your whole HDD due to files that would be in use example, page file, explorer.exe ect..

To do this you would have to either purchase Ghost or acronis true image or something like that where you can boot the system from a cd then image the HDD to you external HDD.

I'm know in acronis you can image while windows is still running

I don't know of any freeware that can do that. I would be interested if you did find some.

meadeetx · 10-10-2007, 07:54 AM

I discovered the cause of the problem. The USB Drive is formatted FAT32. The maximum file size limit is 4gb. Once the NTBackup file reached this file size limit, it quit. I reformatted the drvie to NTFS and all is well.

Thanks

Nicho · 10-11-2007, 05:38 AM

lol why didnt I think of that, so simple. Thanks!

P.S. I'm not backing up the WHOLE drive including Windows folder. Just sensitive folders i would rather not loose, although I realise how my post reads.

Once again, thanks for the help.

09-11-2007, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nicho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13 OS: Windows XP	Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues Ok, let me start by saying hello to everybody, I've just registered and this is my first, probably n00b question I have regarding a server I have setup. I dont have to much experience with server's so please bear with me. I am trying to backup all the data on the C:\ drive for obvious safety using the standard Windows Backup Utility provided with Windows 2000 SP4. I am backing up the data to an external 160Gb USB HDD set for a schedule of 23:00 every Friday. The total size of the raid array is 80Gb (3 Mirrored 80Gb SCSI drives) with approx 70Gb full. I have told the backup utility to copy all data from the C:\ drive to a backup file on the external drive at its least peak load hours. Now although the backup starts ok, when I go to check the external drive the next morning, the backup file is only 8Gb. At first i thought maybe this was somekind of amazing compression done during the backup process, but opening the backup file and looking at the file tree, it seems only aproximatly 1/4 of all the data had been backed up. My question is basically what I am doing wrong. Why wont it copy the full 70Gb of data onto the drive. Is it because I'm using an external USB drive or have i mearly got a setting wrong somewhere. Either way I'm pretty worried about loosing the data stored on the drives and would be greatful if anybody here could point me in the right direction. Regards, Nicho P.S. Server is quite an old model dual processor, Pentium 3 with 1Gb RAM running Windows 2000 Small Business Server Service Pack 4. If you require anymore information please let me know.

10-09-2007, 10:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
meadeetx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2 OS: Windows 2000 Server SP 4	Re: Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues I am having the same problem. I will be sure to let you know if I discover the solution.

10-09-2007, 11:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
ecrocombe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109 OS: SBS2k3R2, WIN2k3, XP, 2000, NT My System	Re: Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues NTbackup does not support backing up your whole HDD due to files that would be in use example, page file, explorer.exe ect.. To do this you would have to either purchase Ghost or acronis true image or something like that where you can boot the system from a cd then image the HDD to you external HDD. I'm know in acronis you can image while windows is still running I don't know of any freeware that can do that. I would be interested if you did find some.

10-10-2007, 07:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
meadeetx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2 OS: Windows 2000 Server SP 4	Re: Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues I discovered the cause of the problem. The USB Drive is formatted FAT32. The maximum file size limit is 4gb. Once the NTBackup file reached this file size limit, it quit. I reformatted the drvie to NTFS and all is well. Thanks

10-11-2007, 05:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nicho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13 OS: Windows XP	Re: Windows 2000 SP4 Backup Issues lol why didnt I think of that, so simple. Thanks! P.S. I'm not backing up the WHOLE drive including Windows folder. Just sensitive folders i would rather not loose, although I realise how my post reads. Once again, thanks for the help.