Article ID: 106711
Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q106711
SYMPTOMS
When you use a batch file to back up directories, you will receive the following error message:
CAUSE
The above error message occurs when a line in a batch file (that calls NTBACKUP) contains a directory list that exceeds 282 characters.
For example, the file BACK.BAT contains the following lines:
ntbackup backup d:\one\ d:\two\ d:\three\ d:\four\ d:\five\ d:\six\ d:\seven\ d:\eight\eight\ d:\nine\nine\nine d:\ten\ d:\eleven\ d:\twelve\ d:\thirteen\ d:\fourteen\ d:\sixteen\ d:\seventeen\ d:\eighteen\ d:\nineteen\ d:\twenty d:\twentyone\ d:\twentytwo\ d:\twentythree\ d:\twentyfour\ d:\twentyfive\ d:\twentysix\ d:\twentyseven\
This file has more than 282 characters on the backup line and will causes the error message.
RESOLUTION
There are three possible workarounds to this problem:
- Decrease the number of characters in the line to 282 characters or less.
-or-
- Use the Backup application from the Administrative Tools group to initiate the backup.
-or-
- Split the line up into 2 lines or more.
For example, the file BACK.BAT contains the following lines:
ntbackup backup d:\one\ d:\two\ d:\three\ d:\four\ d:\five\ d:\six\ d:\seven\ d:\eight\eight\ d:\nine\nine\nine d:\ten\ d:\eleven\ d:\twelve\ d:\thirteen\ d:\fourteen\ d:\sixteen\ d:\seventeen\ d:\eighteen\ d:\nineteen\ d:\twenty d:\twentyone\ d:\twentytwo\ d:\twentythree\ d:\twentyfour\ d:\twentyfiveseven\ ntbackup backup d:\one\ d:\two\ d:\three\ d:\four\ d:\five\ d:\six\ d:\seven\ d:\eight\eight\ d:\nine\nine\nine d:\ten\ d:\eleven\ d:\twelve\ d:\thirteen\ d:\fourteen\ d:\sixteen\
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords: KB106711