Microsoft KB Archive/839591

= A scheduled backup task unexpectedly quits in Windows Server 2003 when the backup tape is full =

Article ID: 839591

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
When you schedule a backup by using the Windows Backup program in Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Backup unexpectedly quits when the backup tape is full. Additionally, if you view the backup log file, the following information is displayed:

The requested media failed to mount. The operation was aborted.

You expect Windows Backup to prompt you to insert an additional tape and to then complete the backup operation.



CAUSE
This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:
 * You schedule an unattended backup on a stand-alone tape device.
 * The tape device requires more than one tape to complete the backup operation.

This problem occurs because of a design change in Windows Server 2003. In Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Backup prompts you for an additional tape when the first tape is full. However, in Windows Server 2003, you are no longer prompted to insert an additional tape during an unattended backup operation. This change was made because, frequently, no user is available to insert an additional tape during an unattended backup operation.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 64-bit editions
  Date         Time   Version            Size    File name        Platform 07-Sep-2004 23:29  5.2.3790.209    3,342,848  Ntbackup.exe     IA-64

Windows Server 2003 32-bit editions
  Date         Time   Version            Size    File name ---  07-Sep-2004  22:27  5.2.3790.209    1,171,968  Ntbackup.exe

Hotfix installation information
After you install this hotfix, a new /UP switch is available for use in Windows Backup scripts. When you specify the /UP switch in your backup script, Windows Backup prompts you to insert an additional tape during the backup job.

Note The /UP switch is case-sensitive. You must type this switch in uppercase characters.

The following is an example backup script that illustrates how to use the /UP switch:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntbackup.exe backup &quot;@C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.TESTSERVER\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\Test.bks&quot; /v:no /r:no /rs:no /hc:on /m normal /j &quot;Test&quot; /l:s /p &quot;4mm DDS&quot; /um /UP



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, install a tape library to work with your stand-alone tape device.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbqfe kbhotfixserver kbbug kbfix kbwinserv2003presp1fix KB839591

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