How To Use the Backup Wizard for Backup Jobs in Windows 2000 (300135)

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to configure Microsoft Windows Backup to run automatically at a scheduled time.

NOTE: Only the basic backup operations are covered in this article. For information about more advanced topics, such as tape libraries and media pools, refer to Windows 2000 Backup Online Help.

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The Backup Wizard

Windows 2000 Backup (NTBackup) includes a wizard that makes it easier to configure and schedule backup jobs. NTBackup is included in all versions of Windows 2000. To automatically schedule a backup job:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.
2. Click Backup Wizard, and then click Next.
3. On the What to Back Up page of the wizard, click the appropriate option for the data that you want to save, and then click Next.
   
   NOTE If you click Back up selected files, drives, or network data, a dialog box is displayed in which you can select the drives, folders, and files that you want to back up. If you want to back up the entire computer, including the system state, click Back up everything on my computer.
4. On the Where to Store the Backup page, click the location (file or storage device) where you want to store the backup, type the name that you want to use to identify the backup in the Backup media or file name box, and then click Next.
   
   NOTE: If you are backing up to a file, type the complete path (for example, c:\backups\mybackup.bkf). If you are backing up to a tape device, insert your backup media if you have not already done so.
5. Click the Advanced button.
   
   Additional backup options are displayed, including the scheduling options. In the following dialog boxes, enter the appropriate information:
   • Type of Backup
   • How to Back Up
   • Media Options
   • Backup Label
6. If you want to start the backup job immediately, when the When to Back Up page is displayed, click Now, and then click Next.
7. To schedule the job, click Later, type your credentials in the dialog box that is displayed, and then click OK.
8. Type a name in the Job Name box, and then click Set Schedule.
9. When several options are displayed, including Schedule Task, Start Time, and so on, enter the appropriate information, and then click OK.
10. Verify the start date, and then click Next.
11. Click Finish.
12. To view or make changes to the scheduled job, click the Scheduled Jobs tab on the main Backup dialog box, and then double-click your selection. Alternatively, double-click Scheduled Tasks in Control Panel.

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Prepare the Media

To prepare tapes for use with NTBackup, use the procedure that is described in this section. When you use this procedure, a new free media label is written to the tape. In addition, unattended backups are now able to use the tapes; prompts are not generated.

To deallocate and prepare media in Removable Storage Manager:

1. Insert the media into the tape drive that you want to deallocate and prepare.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Computer Management, click to expand Storage, click to expand Removable Media, and then click to expand Physical Locations.
3. Right-click the entry for the tape device, and then click Inventory.
4. After the inventory is completed, click the Media icon under the tape device.
   
   The tape media is displayed in the right pane.
5. Right-click the media you want to deallocate, point to All Tasks, and then click Deallocate.
6. When you receive the following messages, click Yes on each message:
   • Confirm Media Deallocation
     Deallocating media without the knowledge of the owning application can cause the data on it to be lost.
     Are you sure you want to deallocate the selected item?
     YES NO
     
     -and-
   • Confirm Media Deallocation
     Are you sure you want to deallocate tape_name?
     YES NO
7. Right-click the media you just deallocated, and then click Prepare.
8. When you receive the following messages, click Yes on each message:
   • Confirm Media Preparation
     This operation will destroy the data on the media and move it to the free media pool.
     
     Are you sure to write a free media label on the selected medium ?
     YES NO
     
     -and-
   • Confirm Media Preparation
     Are you sure you want to write a free media label on tape_name?
     YES NO

After the media is prepared, it is now ready to be used for scheduled backups.

If you want to prepare more media, use the Eject Wizard to eject the media you recently prepared, and then repeat this procedure for each piece of media you want to prepare.

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Troubleshooting

• Several problems with NTBackup were corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2). Make sure that you are currently running SP2 or higher.
• If you want to back up a single file or a collection of individual files, back up the parent folder rather than the individual files. NTBackup is not designed to back up individual files.

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