Command Line Windows NT Backup Backs Up Files as Directories

ID: q104168

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

When issuing the following command

   ntbackup backup o:\readme.txt

Windows NT Backup will report that it "Backed up 0 files in 2 directories." The file is backed up; however, it is backed up as a directory instead of a file.

The following backup status report results from the above-mentioned example command:

   Backup Status

   Tape Name: "Tape created on 8/31/93"
   Backup of "O: \\products2\release"
   Backup set #1 on tape #1
   Backup description: ""
   Backup started on 8/31/93 at 9:29:57 AM.
   Directory \
   Directory \README.TXT
   Backup completed on 8/31/93 at 9:29:58 AM.
   Backed up 0 files in 2 directories.
   Processed 903 bytes in  1 second.

In the backup status report, "Directory \README.TXT" indicates that Windows NT Backup considers README.TXT to be a directory, which is not the case.

CAUSE

Windows NT Backup is intended as a backup program for entire directories instead of individual files, and as such, treats an individual file listed on the command line as a directory to be backed up.

RESOLUTION

When you are using Windows NT Backup from the command line, specify entire directories to be backed up.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords          : kbtool
Version           : 3.1
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: August 14, 1998