Ask Dr. Bob: Tape-Drive Backup Trouble

From the July 2002 Edition
of Windows IT Pro
Bob Chronister
Tricks & Traps
InstantDoc #25044
Windows IT Pro

I have one Windows 2000 member server and three Windows NT servers, all with 4 millimeter (mm) DDS3 data tape drives. I set up a batch file to run a backup on the Win2K server. I want the backup to run early each morning, and I want to cycle the backup tapes once each week. But I'm having a terrible time. The backup is occasionally successful but usually fails. When the backup fails, the backup report contains the following error message: The operation was not performed because no unused media was available. I can't find a solution. Can you help me?

I reviewed the batch file you're using and it appears to be fine, so I don't think it's causing your problem. If other members of your team are successfully backing up the same Win2K server on a regular basis, you might want to compare your batch file with the files that work. Also make sure you have all the necessary rights to perform the backup.

A more likely culprit is the backup device you're using on the server. Clean the tape drive's heads four or five times and see whether that solves the problem. If not, move a device from one of your NT servers to the Win2K server and see whether the problem goes away when you use that device to run your backups. If you still get the failed backups and errors, try again with fresh media. Make sure the first available tape in the 4mm drive is formatted and ready to use.

End of Article

I am having the same trouble with a win2k server. It seems that the Backup software List the tape as Allocated and will not let it be rewritten. I have to go into Remote Storage and Deallocate the tape. It seemed to become a problem after a service pack 2 update (was working before that anyway). If anybody has a work around for this I would love to here it.

A new tape will work (Because it is not Allocated and is in the free media pool). After you use it once it has the same problem.

Ron Hull July 03, 2002

Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 239892.
Follow the directions for preparing and labeling your tapes, and then include the tape labels in your backup command string. The article has the full details and even includes a handy way to eject your tapes when the backup is complete, using the RSM command.

Dirk Hedlund February 18, 2003

I have Microsoft Exchange 5.5 running on a Windows 2000 server and when it scheduled to backup each night, I do not get a backup. The reason it states is that "there is no unused media available". I have to perform a manual backup each morning on the machine. What seems to be the problem. Maybe clear the unused media pool?

William Harris November 17, 2003

I am running win2k server. Daily backup is configured using win2k server backup file, successfully. Tape not ejecting after successfull backup. For your advise please.

Path May 13, 2004

hi.,

i have one hp lto ultrium 215 tape drive which we purchased newly. i have problem that when i do full backup , some files which are in use system are not backups the tape drive. And i need to backup those files, because those important & out of 50 GB backup the failed files capacity is 12 GB. please help me regrding this.

thanks

regards
veeresh.

veerub_ind October 20, 2004 (Article Rating:

)

I'm having the same problem for the scheduled jobs. It seems that it cannot overwrite. On the other hand if i do a manual backup on the same media then it works just fine.

Anonymous User February 02, 2005

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