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Has anyone solved Server 2003 R2 backup failures?

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by johnaaaaaa2

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I am running Standard Server 2003 R2 with file server, DHCP Server and domain controller roles. Periodically, after a few successful (or reportedly successful) backups, the machine will go weeks on end failing backups. The configuration is:
Physical Drive 0 -
c: [OS partition]
e: [Data partition]

Physical Drive 1 -
c: [OS partition Mirror]
e: [Data partition Mirror]

Physical Drive 2 -
k: Partition for NT Backup
m: Partition for Clone.

Examining the logs, it appears that c: backs up with no errors. e: begins to backup, then, around the 4 GB point, e: is reported invalid and the backup fails.

Thinking there might be something wrong with NTBackup, I tried Backassist, Norton Ghost, and Acronis software. All failed in different ways. The drive is definitely alive because the users access it on a daily basis. Has anyone experienced this set of circumstances and solved this problem?

2 replies

by oh smeg

Quite often when this happens it's been because of an issue with the HDD/Array so you need to keep on top of Hardware Failures.

Just because users can interminably access it during the day doesn't mean that it's working properly.

OH just a hint here if the drive fails the first test remove it fit to a different computer and retest.

If it fails the second test it's damaged and on it's way to [b]Silicon Heaven[/b] but if it passes the second Test the HDD Controller, Data Lead or Power Supply is faulty and needs replacing.

Depending on how the server is configured it may be a Failing RAID Controller Card or a failing M'Board. ;)

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

If it was just NT Backup causing problems here I would be saying use something else as I have found NT Backup to be unreliable. But as the others are involved here I would be looking at the Data Lead for the HDD particularly if this has a cheap nasty SATA Data lead involved. The good SATA Data Leads lock into the M'Board and HDD and probably more importantly do not go through a right angle bend at the connector.

They also do not look like an over sized figure 8 cable. ;)

Col

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