Ntbackup Can Read Tapes Created by Third-Party Backup Programs (173313)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q173313

SUMMARY

In some cases, Ntbackup.exe can read tapes created by third-party tape backup utilities. This can be useful in situations in which the third-party backup software is not readily available for some reason, such as when a computer has been rebuilt. For Ntbackup.exe to read the tape successfully, the software used to create the tape must support the Microsoft tape format (MTF), and it must not compress the data.

MORE INFORMATION

It is possible that Ntbackup.exe may not be able to read a catalog of files written on a tape by third-party backup software, because the on-tape catalog (OTC) is not present or is not compatible with Ntbackup.exe. In this case, the tape will not be recognized as part of a set. To resolve this part of the problem, Ntbackup.exe needs to be started with the /missingtape command line switch, using the steps below:

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. Type the following command and then press ENTER:
    Ntbackup /missingtape
The /missingtape switch allows the tape to be read as an individual tape (as opposed to being part of a set), which will allow Ntbackup.exe to catalog the tape. After the tape is catalogued, files on it will become accessible.

In addition, tapes created in one manufacturer's tape drive may not be compatible with another manufacturer's tape drive. If this is the case, you will not be able to continue without the third-party software or an identical tape drive.


For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: 162972
TITLE : Troubleshooting Tape Backup Issues in Windows NT 4.0
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/9/2001
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbinfo kbsetup KB173313
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.