DOCUMENT:Q167687 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :PAX Command Gives Error "Bad Magic Number" PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:3.5,3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The Windows NT posix utility portable archive exchange (pax) gives the following error when an archive created on a UNIX computer is retrieved. pax: [offset 98]: Bad magic number pax: : May be corrupt pax: [offset 176]: Apparently resynchronized pax: : Continuing CAUSE ===== The above error is obtained when the rsh command is used to remotely carry out pax on a UNIX host and redirect the output file to the local Windows NT computer. RESOLUTION ========== To work around this problem, use the rcp command to copy the archived file from the remote UNIX host to the local Windows NT computer. 1. Use the following command to create the archive file on the remote host: Rsh unixhost -l root -n pax -w -x cpio -f archive.file file* 2. Use rcp to copy the archive file from the remote host in binary format: rcp -b host.user:archive.file . 3. Use pax to retrieve files: Pax -r -f archive.file STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. Additional query words: tar ustar archive ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : WinNT:3.5,3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbbug ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.