Failed backup - no error

[Leenie]

Good morning.
Last night's backup failed, but for the first time there is no error mentioned in the activity log to explain it. The server and all workstations backed up but the still the last line in the activity log says Backup operation failed. So, I don't really know what else to say, but thought I'd check and see if this has ever happened to anyone else and if they ever figured out what the problem was.
Thanks.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[davidmichel]

for it to work and then one time just not work, no, not aware of that happening. There was a bug with jobs using client agents under a certain config that would always generate a failed status, but I don't remember the version, and anyways it was fixed.

Review both the job and activity log for the job. Have a second person review it, post it here.

Use the job log to look for missed systems or volumes, also take a close look at any DB sessions.

If it happens again compare logs.

Check for updates.

 

[Leenie]

Okay, again the backup failed last night with no error listed. I've figured out which workstation it is at least. The activity log says it connects with the workstation, says which client it's using, says which directory it is going to back up and then doesn't back up anything. Goes straight to the next workstation.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[davidmichel]

I leave it to you to ck for updates since you withhold version info.

Check the NT Agent log.

Put the Client Agent in debug, it is via a registry setting, under ClientAgent\Parameters. The first part of the path is different depending on version. That is if this is a Windows client.

Try the backup without the Client agent, if it is a Windows Client.

 

[Leenie]

Sorry, using Arcserve 2000 v. 7 on an NT server. Clients are XP Pro. No new updates that haven't already been applied.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Leenie]

How do you backup with the client agent?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[davidmichel]

install the agent on the target system
configure the backup to use it, right click on Windows servers in the backup window Add Object.
or
Go to the CD, doc directory, Admin Guide.

 

[Leenie]

Oops. Typo. I meant without the agent like you suggested above.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Leenie]

Never mind. Figured that out and the backup was successful NOT using the agent. So, it's a problem with the agent? I put it in debug mode and this is what the log says:

21:44 SetThreadPriority : 0
21:45 DSAEnumAgents - failed rc=5
21:55 The volume migration status = 0. (0=Off, 1=On)
21:55 Start Backup operation. Start time: 2/04/05 12:21:55
21:55 Traverse flags: Ignore 0; Traverse 0
21:55 Tape Name = *
21:55 (sesType, sesMethod) = (60, 10)
21:55 Common Path = C:\Documents and Settings\bstankaitis
21:55 ASDB_BEGIN_SESSION OK.
21:55 TP_BEGIN_SESSION OK.
21:55 Backup Estimation started
21:55 Backup Exception!

21:55 Backup operation failed. End time: 2/04/05 12:21:55 .
21:55 Thread exits. CS:848

Does this mean anything to you?
Thanks.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Leenie]

Also, why do you need the agent if you can backup without using it?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[cq]

The agent allows more processing (e.g. enumerating files) to be done by the target machine which reduces network traffic and should speed up the backup.

 

[Leenie]

Can anyone tell from the log above why the client doesn't work? All it says is "exception" which means nothing to me. Is there another log somewhere that might show more detail about what the exception is?
Thanks.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[davidmichel]

Most likely the agent exception is the result of a GPF General Protection Fault or crash for short.

Two most likely cuases are the agent has become corrupted or there is some data it is reading that it can not handle.

It crashed when beginging the estimate so try it with the estimate disabled.

Consider uninstalling the Client Agent, then restarting the system, and then reinstalling the agent. The original product CD and the latest ARCserve Service Pack will be needed.

Oh, also maybe a conflict with another application. Some other app that reads files such as a virus detection program, defrag, auditing, open file agent, or something along those lines.

 

[Leenie]

I figured it out. For some reason I had to remove the tick from "Use snapshots" in the Options, Configuration window. Don't know why. Everyone else's is ticked and they backup fine. Is it something to do with the fact that it's an upgraded from Win98 version of XP and not a brand new pc with XP on it?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library