In need of a viable backup solution for an XP Pro

[iblearnen]

Greetings,
I’m in search of a viable backup solution for an XP Pro mach however my client does not want to spend any money on it (how typical) The windows ntbackup is one option. They have an extra internal HD and want to make weekly backups of Quicken data. Thanks in advance

 

[linney]

How are you launching these batch files, is it via Scheduled Tasks?

 

[iandoreeninvan]

Hi linney

ta for your reply.

i store the batch files in a separate directory.
"C:\0bu"

batch file name is "ian_BuC.bat"

i run it from an icon on the desktop

ian c

 

[linney]

What happens when you click on the Batch File, is there any error message or just nothing?

Have you tried the "Run As Administrator option via a right-click?

Have you tried launching the batch file from within a Command Prompt to see if that generates any error or output?

Sorry I can't assist much with any actual coding.

 

[iandoreeninvan]

ra again linney


This is a cut and paste of test1.bat


REM ians backups of files on C
REM
REM here put wot copying ... where copying to
REM
REM before run this delete all
REM directories under D: eg 6IanBu etc
REM
REM band in a box
REM
PAUSE before xcopy
rem xcopy c:\bb\0Ian_HarmonyFiles\*.* D:\IanBu\bb\0Ian_HarmonyFiles\ /s
PAUSE before xcopy
dir *.*>fred.txt
rem xcopy c:\bb\0Ian_upd_LsxFiles\*.* D:\2222IanBu\bb\0Ian_upd_LsxFiles\ /s
REM
************ end cut and paste*********

All it should do is pause,

THEN when any key is pressed [ grin i always have difficulty
determining which one]
it should write the contents of the current directory
to a text file "fred.txt"

all other statements are REM ( or remarks) ie comments

when i click
on the batch file, screen [fullscreen] goes black for a second or two then screen reverts back to explorer or
whatever. [ that's normal behaviour when a bat file exits].

I don't get the option "run as an administrator via
[shift]right click.

when i Run "cmd" & type either "test1" or "test1.bat"
and <enter>
i get a message []R is not recognised as an internal or
external command or operable program or batch file

the [] is a single square box character

Huh?

roughly this behaviour became evident after i allowed
m$ updates, and dl/d installed SP2

ian C

 

[linney]

All I can think of is that the Cmd.exe on your machine is damaged or corrupted.

Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

 

[RexxSysProg]

wahnula

I understand your point about not pulling out the USB cable (but sometimes Windows won't release it and there isn't any choice)

But would you please elaborate on what you wrote about not using USB power for the external backup disks? What is the issue/problem?

My Maxtor disk drives didn't come with power cords...just a second USB connector if there wasn't enough power from one.

 

[iandoreeninvan]

ta again linney.

i've retried after running sfc /scannow.

i'll try chkdsk after all else is finished, tho i did defrag
all drives last weekend. i've found defrag stops if there is a problem with the file system.

& safe mode

the only other thing i can think of that might be affecting
normal *bat file operations is maybe m$ services [ that i might have fiddled with and set improperly].

Ian C

 

[linney]

Security and Access Permissions, of the .bat file, and any files which have actions performed on them, is another consideration.

So is bad coding, but that is not my forte.

If you think Windows is the problem, try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[bchizary]

id check out either ebay for an old version of arcserve of a similar back up program, or get a cover disk (assuming your client will stretch to £5 for a magazine) should be easy enough to find a free backup program on a cover disk.

Finally, have you checked out

http://www.download.com

to see what is available for free?

 

[iandoreeninvan]

Hi linney

I think
"Security and Access Permissions, of the .bat file, and any files which have actions performed on them, is another consideration" is one of the most likely.

"So is bad coding, but that is not my forte."
but same backup batch files have been working
sort of since ...95 days.


"If you think Windows is the problem, try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched."

I also checked environment variables, found a few looking
strange - easy cd creator in path, etc
=== had a fiddle -======

tried the repair existing installation.

that turned out to be a disaster,
couldn't repair after a few tries
then did a reinstall of Xp.

Even after the reinstall, xcopy worked in cmd.exe mode
but not the batch files [ even if cd'd to the same directory].

got me at the moment.

I did run hijack this, did a screen dump of one
'computer management' screen i thought maybe not quite
kosher.

virus? past or present?

i think i'll start a new thread, maybe widen the loop AS
someone might have run into something the same.

anyplace special to post screen dump, hijackthis.log's ?

Ian c

 

[linney]

We are discussing Robocopy in the Vista forum, you might want to try that in XP (the GUI version of Robocopy, that is). A Command Line version is not included with XP but can be downloaded from the Net as an alternative to Xcopy?

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1436731&page=1

If you want to post a "Hijack This" log, just include the text output in your posting. It will give us (perhaps) some idea of the state of your machine.

 

[iandoreeninvan]

Hi linney,

i did download( or thought i did) the gui version of
Robocopy & installed it.

i didn't think it fitted my needs - from memory either i couldn't get a file to execute a string of xcopy commands
in sequence - or it was a single command.
ie doing a recursive copy ( eg on a network) until all files
could be copied ( eg when the last user logs out). My bu.bat
file has ten or twenty xcopy commands.

i lost it or deleted (robocopy gui) in my xp crash.

I did get one batch file to work ( this morning)
it ran on the [logical D drive]

*** start bat *********
rem find all filesunder D:\0dls
echo "Use result text file to rename individual files"
@ECHO ON
set icoup=d:\0dls\dls_x.txt
echo "starting all_Dls.Bat"
echo "The following are files under 0dls" >%icoup%
rem
D:
cd\
cd 0Dls
set f="*.*"
echo %f% >>%icoup%
dir %f% /s/b >>%icoup%
*** end bat file *********

i had a look in control panel | ... | computer management
(local)

| shared folders | shares.

it shows

Shared Folder Shared Path Type # client connections
========================================================
0bu c:\0bu Windows 0
ADMIN$ C:\WINDOWS Windows 0
C$ C:\ Windows 0
D$ D:\ Windows 0
E$ E:\ Windows 0
IPC$ Windows 0
oldpc C:\oldpc Windows 0


the oldpc directory is one i've set up for my local network.
the 0bu directory is used for the bat files & i shared
it as part of the problem solving exercise.

***** start hijack this log ****
Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 11:06:23 PM, on 20/12/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Kerio\Personal Firewall\persfw.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WgaTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATICKP.EXE
E:\Instals\AntiVirz\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/search

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by OptusNet
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {E99421FB-68DD-40F0-B4AC-B7027CAE2F1A} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: EPSON Web-To-Page - {EE5D279F-081B-4404-994D-C6B60AAEBA6D} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo R290 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATICKP.EXE /FU "C:\DOCUME~1\IAN~1.IAN\LOCALS~1\Temp\E_S3.tmp" /EF "HKCU"
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage

*** end hijackthis log ************

hope you blokes can make something of this.

i'll also have a look at the vista robocopy thread.

Ian C

 

[edfair]

FWIW. I use PCBACKUP from stompsoft as the backup tool for one of my customers. His application and data is on the D: as an extended partition. He also has a backup server set up the same way.
At 8PM it backs the data to c:\backup. At 9PM it backs the data to the backup server's c:\backup. At 10PM it burns the data to a DVD.

Assuming a server crash, it is a name change on the backup server and a restore to be back up.
Assuming a data trash, it is a local restore.
And the worst case, loss of both servers by theft, it would be a restore from a day old data DVD onto an XPPRO with a similar setup.

PCBACKUP is good at creating the backups but not useful at all for managing the data it creates. For that I use bach files run through QUICKBFC to get execuatables usable by the scheduler.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[linney]

Three things that stand out are IE6 and SP1, you could try updating both. And "HiJack This" is an old version too.

Do you know what these entries refer to?
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)

C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATICKP.EXE


Was that the full log, it seems a bit shorter than what we normally see? Nothing critical in it as far as I can see.

As far as Sharing C:\oldpc is concerned, you could try experimenting with the actual NTFS security access permissions in case they are overriding any shared permissions.

 

[iandoreeninvan]

hi edfair.

ta for reply.
i did use pcbackup years ago - i think it was part of
PCTOOLS - before win95. i assume commercial software -
grin - us poor old pensioners have to be selective with the
$s.

When writing apps for networks, we would usually include
a backup item - that would run overnight on a console workstation,re-index tables, copy to a separate network location, etc.

then a scheduled novell backup ( from memory).

we'd soon find out a problem if the backup app didn't complete.

Hi linney.

i use ie rarely, so i haven't specifically tried to dl ie6.
i did try M$ update but sp2 & others seem to barf at
wgtray.exe etc & won't complete.

E_FATICKP.EXE
this is a monitor for an epsom R290 photo colour printer.
a bit of a pain & i've unchecked the item in startups in
msconfig as i will only use the colour printer rarely.

the extra tools & extra buttons are probably related to
mozilla firefox 2.0.0.11
I installed an addon 'google' toolbar.
other addon downitall.
also somehow a toolbar from optusnet ( my isp) managed to
install itself.

that was a full log.
i'll look for a later hijackthis & repost the new log.

drive C is fat32,
" D [logical - fat 32
drive E ntfs

i'll have a look for ntfs access /permissions etc

ta again for all help

Ian C

 

[edfair]

Yeah, somewhere about $60 for the backup.

And somewhere around $60 for the batch compiler.

I'm 7 years past the magic age myself, and keeping on working to afford the playtoys. And to keep the brain cells stirring. Retirement by 75 if I get 3 customers converted to something somebody else can take care of.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[iandoreeninvan]

Hi Ed

me 5 years past.

unfortunately i didnt write enough [ well any ] legacy apps that would enable me to retire early. But i've already done that twice.

i need an income to support my habits - computers - home brew,
music, caravanning [ie RVs], golf - etc.

here is another hijackthis.log

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:09:24 PM, on 23/12/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Kerio\Personal Firewall\persfw.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WgaTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\PSPad\PSPad.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe
E:\Instals\diagEtc\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/search

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =

http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by OptusNet
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: EpsonToolBandKicker Class - {E99421FB-68DD-40F0-B4AC-B7027CAE2F1A} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: EPSON Web-To-Page - {EE5D279F-081B-4404-994D-C6B60AAEBA6D} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dllcache\msconfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://desktop.optusnet.com.au/dsl/favorites/homepage
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Kerio Personal Firewall (PersFw) - Kerio Technologies - C:\Program Files\Kerio\Personal Firewall\persfw.exe

--
End of file - 3999 bytes

I still have some strange [ to me ] behaviour.

notes on some weirdos - file permissions.

C is FAT32 - two logical drives C systems 30MB, 10 MB

the 0bu directory in rightclik | Properties | general
was shown greyed check read-only
Huh?
the Canonscan directory in rightclik | Properties | general
was shown greyed check read-only Huh?
& also hidden Huh Again?

even tho i rightclik | Properties | unchek read only & apply to
all files subdirectories,
etc after it finishes & i right click
the properties show back as read only ?

another strange ? thing happening is that if i shell
out to dos | start | run
i get a dos prompt
c:\Documents and Settings\Ian.IANXP>

Now
Ian is my user logon.

IANXP is computer name [ in system]

but it used to show as the dos prompt
c:\Documents and Settings\Ian>

i also tried showacls - but it doesn't work on FAT32 disks




Ian C

 

[edfair]

I'll let Linney do the diagnostics but will make one observation. Microsoft operating systems sometimes tend to go from bad to worse when things get corrupted. And sometimes they get bad enough that it makes more sense to start over than to keep banging your head against the stone pillar.

That said, sometimes I've been known to intentionally reopen the scab on my forehead by doing just that, for a customer's data, my data, education, or plain being stubborn.

I try to set my systems up so there is a safe place to store data while I do an OS reload.

 

[linney]

The new "Hijack This log" seems pretty clean to me.

File and Security Permissions rely on NTFS, you will not have that in FAT32. You will, if I remember correctly, have Access Permissions on Registry Keys, but it is a long time between FATS for me to be sure.

XP uses the Read-only differently to previous operating systems when you are looking at Folder Properties. Files are the same as before and can be controlled via the Read-only check box.

Cannot Change the Read-Only Attribute of System Folders

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326549

How many Ianxxxx accounts are listed in Control Panel/ Users?
How many Ianxxxx folders are visible in Documents and Settings?

Are there two users, one user called Ian.IANXP and one called Ian?

HOW TO: Delete a User Profile in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q313918&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

811151 - How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

When you type %userprofile% in Start Run it will open the currently logged on user's folder, any other Ian folders are redundant.

Have a look at this as to username's being created. "The following information describes the default naming scheme that Windows uses for user profiles:"

How To Restore a User Profile in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q324734/#appliesto

 

[iandoreeninvan]

Hi Ed & linney.

ta again for your info.

im worse case scenario & i will reformat & reinstall.

all of my apps & data & music files etc are safely on
a number of cds / dvd's going back a few years.

it is just the desktop settings
prog icons etc
registry specifics
for the standard apps
& the ones i install
& bookmarks

my 'safe place' is the win98 (networked) pc.

i've figured out how to export email addresses
& kerio config files.

linney i'll have a look at the other suggestions later.

i've been a naughty boy & used all my broadband 'fast'
allocation.<grin>

Ian C