NTBackup fails to start

[JockMullin]

I have a Win XP SP3 machine which uses ntbackup to back up files to a Sony tape drive. This has been working fine for over 2 yrs.

Suddenly the scheduled task failed to run Mon night. User came in and found tape not ejected so tried to open ntbackup to check the log. NTBackup didn't start. Tried again 3 times and then called for support.

Task mgr then shows 4 instances of ntbackup running. Restart machine, try to start ntbackup and it gives an hour glass for 10 secs and then nothing. ntbackup.exe running in task manager, no window opens, nothing in event viewer.

What has been done thus far:
- restored ntbackup.exe from servicepackfiles\i386 copy
- Used system restore to restore to a point BEFORE the last successful backup
- Reinstalled ntbackup from ntbackup.msi
- Tested tape drive with manufacturer diags - all good, able to read & write tapes normally.
- System was SP2, so upgraded to SP3. Went fine.
- Googled everywhere and found a couple of similar old reports for Win2K; never resolved.

So ntbackup still won't run. It doesn't even come up to the little searching for backup devices window - just hangs.

Any ideas? I'm guessing a registry problem but haven't found a reference to registry keys config files used by ntbackup.

BTW, aside from this mystery the system is running normally. Virus and spyware scans are clean.

Brgds
Jock

 

[goombawaho]

My only thoughts:

0. Try from safe mode and see if it runs. If it does, reboot and try from regular mode. Report back.

1. Malware scan using MalwareByte's Anti-Malware (humor me and run a full scan). Reboot if asked, see if it runs after.

2. CHKDSK see if it runs.

3. SFC /SCANNOW Reboot, see if it runs.

4. Memory Test

 

[JockMullin]

Hi, goombawaho

Thanks for your reply. OK I am doing this, though for logistics reasons not in your sequence.

2. Ran fine (read only mode). NTBackup still failed.
1. Is running now but will take rest of afternoon because there is a TON of stuff on that system.

The others I will do when possible. Unfort the system is 500km away, so I have to do remotely and/or with assistance of the users. I will report back as to results.

Thanks,
Jock

 

[BadBigBen]

- System was SP2, so upgraded to SP3. Went fine.

This may be your problem, if it worked before with SP2 and now does not with SP3...

with SP3 certain network changes occured:

Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.

"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista.

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[cmeagan656]

Did the backup fail on SP2 or SP3? Did you upgrade to SP3 because of the problem?

Anything in the event logs?

Hope this helps.

Please help us help you. Read FAQ690-6594: How to ask the best questions and site policies before posting.

 

[goombawaho]

I'd bet against SP3 being the problem.

 

[JockMullin]

Hi, BadBigBen and cmeagan656

Thanks for responding.
The backup was failing under sp2. I decided to install sp3 figuring probably ntbackup and any support files would be replaced thereby. It made no difference. The machine was running fine before and after sp3 installation; it was just a shot in the dark.

I most likely won't get back to this backup problem until afternoon EDT, so will revert with results re goombawaho's suggestions. However, the malwarebytes scan completed and found 8 tracking cookie type items (low risk) which it cleaned successfully; however the backup still fails to start.

Thanks again,
Jock

 

[BadBigBen]

Ok, that cleared it up...

see the following, they may shed some light on the situation:

Windows NTBackup program won't do scheduled backups

http://nleaudio.com/bnotes/ntbackup.htm

The Windows 2000 Ntbackup Program May Stop Responding

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291562

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[JockMullin]

Solved at last!

Finally able to co-ordinate with user to get into safe mode. Attempting to start ntbackup in Windows safe mode yielded message "Removable Storage Service not running" (or equivalent). Aha!

Reboot to normal mode, check services. Yes, it is stopped. Try to start it - it immediately stops with nothing in event viewer. Googling that points to RSM database corruption.

So, went to %SystemRoot%\System32\NtmsData, copied all files into another folder and cleared the folder. Now the service starts and stays alive. Now ntbackup runs. It has lost all tape info and logs, but that's recoverable.

Very happy to put this to bed at last. Thanks to everyone for their help.

Jock