How to run NTBackup in Server 2008

[Mike]

I'm in the process of setting up my first Windows 2008 Server, and I got to where I need to configure the backup. I learned very quickly that the new backup program SUCKS!!! So off to google I went, and I now have the old NTBackup running.

On a pc running XP or Server 2003, copy these files: Ntbackup.exe Ntmsapi.dll Vssapi.dll. On the 2008 Server, create a new folder called NTBackup or similar in the Program Files directory. Copy those three files from the XP/2003 pc into the NTBackup folder you just created. Go into Server Management, Add Features, and install Removeable Storage Manager. You now have a (almost) fully functional NTBackup.

I had a problem with Volume Shadow Copy. Catastrophic failure. lol So I saved a .bks file with my selections, made a backup script with the /SNAP:OFF switch and it works.

I then tested the restore, and it can't find the .bkf file to restore from. A right-click and Run As Administrator on the NTBackup program seemed to take care of that problem. So I then went into properties and compatability and told it to always run as administrator. Problem solved.

Here's a copy of my backup script. Hopefully I can get this to run out of the scheduled tasks.

Code: Select all

for /f "Tokens=1-4 Delims=/ " %%i in ('date /t') do set dt=%%i-%%j-%%k-%%l
for /f "Tokens=1" %%i in ('time /t') do set tm=-%%i
set tm=%tm::=-%
set dtt=%dt%%tm%
ntbackup backup "@C:\Users\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data\daily.bks" /n "%computername%-%dtt%" /v:yes /r:no /hc:on /m normal /j "daily %dtt%" /l:s /F "e:\backup%dtt%.bkf" /SNAP:OFF

[Mike]

Windows Server 2008 R2 no longer supports RSM. Backing up to a file still works, but you won't be able to use tape drives with the old NTBackup. The first time you run NTBackup it will pop up a message that RSM is not running. Just put a check in the box for Don't show this message again and it will continue to function like normal, other than the lack of tape drive support.