ARCservIT 6.61 Restore Issue

[Neburchadnezzar]

I am unable to restore files. I backed up one file after doing a long erase on DLT. Subsequent Backup finished without error. Upon attempting to restore the file I see an error indicating 'invalid session header signature'. The tapes are good. I have tried multiple tapes and am getting the same error. Can anyone tell me why I cant restore?

 

[databasebaba]

This could even be a problew with arcserve database. Now, initalize the database and merge the tapes back to the database. Then you will be able to restore the data..

DatabaseBaba...

 

[Neburchadnezzar]

How would I initialize the database and what effect would this have? How exactly does the merge work?

Thanks

 

[mohamdr]

Hi
To initialize the database:
1-make sure the database engine is running
2-go to start/programs/computer Associates/ArcserveIT/Server Admin
3- from menu select operation-->Initailze database
4-slect initialize all databases

Now Whenever you want restore by tree you need to merge the tape to Arcserve database.
Merge works as follow:
when you select the merge job, it will read the CATALOG file from the end of each session and add tapes,files& fodler info to Arcserve database.
You can also select to to merge spesific session.

regards,
mohamdr

 

[davidmichel]

Prior to initilizing the database make a backup copy of the database folder. That way if it turns out to be something else you can just copy it right back. Just make sure all the services are stopped and the Manager closed.

There is another way to see if it is database related. Do a Restore by Backup Media. This option does not use the database. If it works then you know it is database related, and you can either initilize or repair. If it still fails then it might be with the drive.

Make sure that the latest ARCserve service pack and Added Device support update are installed.

 

[mohamdr]

DavidMichel,
Restore by Backup Media will take long time and it need alot space I think it is not practical to do this.

regards,
mohamdr

 

[davidmichel]

1) The recommendation to use Restore by Media was given as a way to see if the problem is Database related and not as a solution.

2) He backed up only one file. We are not trying to get this particular data restored, as much as we are trying to resolve the failure to restore in general.

3) The failure is on the session header, if it gets past that then we know there is a problem in the database.

4) What if it is not Database related then he just wacked his database for no reason.

5) A Filter can always be used with Restore by Media, so there is no need to restore the whole session.

By the way it would be a good idea to see if verify also fails. If verify does fail, and if it is not Database related, and if the updates do not help, then a put the Job and Tape Engines in debug and run the one file backup again with Verify Compare Tape to Disk. Those logs should help to find the source of the problem.

 

[Neburchadnezzar]

Thanks! I have copied the ARCserveIT Database folder. I stopped all services before doing this. Is it possible this could be due to some compatability isue between a Dell DLT drive and a compaq system? My gut tells me this. I see 'Unreadable Media format' until I initialize a tape (automatic). Though upon restore I see 'Invalid Session Header' or 'Unreadable Media Format' or both. Im ready to re-initialize..as a last option. I have tried the merge and seen the cat file creation. When this occurs I do see .06 KB of data restore (apparently) before failing with the Invalid Session Header Signature' error. File comparison shows the tape file larger than the actual file, by a slight amount.

 

[mohamdr]

Hi
1-Have you changed you Dell DLT drive to compaq system?
2-if yes are you able to run a backup and restore job using
the new drive?

if yes then sure this a compability issue.

regards
mohamdr

 

[Neburchadnezzar]

The DLT drive was changed. It used to be a Compaq drive, but a person who left the company said the Compaq DLT drive was his, and he replaced it with the DELL DLT 4000. I have had the suspicion all along the issue is a compatability, but I have not had to restore anything in my tenure here.