NTBackup Does Not Run As Expected When You Run It from a Command Prompt

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Symptoms

When you use a command prompt or a batch file to run the NTBackup utility, and you include command-line parameters with the ntbackup command, NTBackup does not run as expected.

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Cause

This problem occurs if you use a slash character and a letter in the following combinations as part of a parameter for a switch:

/j
/p
/g
/t
/n
/f
/d
/ds
/is
/a
/v
/r
/l
/m
/rs
/hc
/um

NTBackup reads each of these character combinations as if it were another switch itself (instead of just part of a switch parameter).

For example, in the following command syntax, the parameter that is used with the /d switch contains the "/r" character combination. This character combination is read by NTBackup as the /r switch instead of as part of the /d parameter:

ntbackup backup "@d:\backup.bks" /j "test backup job" /f "d:\backup.bkf" /d "backup set label /r" /a /v:yes /m copy /hc:off

If this command were to include the /r switch in the syntax, this problem would not occur. For example, in the following command syntax, the /d parameter still contains the "/r" character combination. However, because the /r switch is also clearly stated in the syntax, the problem does not occur:

ntbackup backup "@d:\backup.bks" /j "test backup job" /f "d:\backup.bkf" /d "backup set label /r" /a /v:yes /r:no /m copy /hc:off

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Resolution

Hotfix Information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File Information

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

  Date         Time        Version          Size   File name
  -------------------------------------------------------------
  17-Jul-2003  05:48    5.2.3790.69     1,168,384  Ntbackup.exe

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