Err Msg: Microsoft Backup Has Encountered a Serious Error... (143073)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q143073

SYMPTOMS

When you try to perform a backup, restore, or compare operation in Microsoft Backup, or close Backup after performing one of these operations, you may receive the following error message:
Microsoft Backup has encountered a serious error in the Memory Manager.
Quit and restart Backup, and then try again.

CAUSE

This error can occur for any of the following reasons:
  • An incompatible device driver or memory-resident program is being loaded in the Autoexec.bat, Config.sys, System.ini, or Win.ini file.
  • The Windows swap file is damaged.
  • The tape drive or backup tape you are trying to use is damaged or incompatible with Backup.
  • One or more Backup files may be damaged.
  • The memory in your computer is faulty.
NOTE: If the above error message is displayed when you attempt to perform a restore operation in Microsoft Backup, the problem may also be caused by the method Backup uses to read restore information in some situations dealing with compression. For information about the updated Backup.exe file that corrects this problem, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

147656 Updated Backup Corrects Erasing Data and Memory Manager Errors

RESOLUTION

For information about resolving this issue, see the appropriate section below.

Incompatible Device Driver or Memory-Resident Program

For information about troubleshooting problems with incompatible device drivers and memory-resident programs in Windows 95, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

136337 Troubleshooting Windows 95 Startup Problems

140441 Creating a New System.ini File Without Third-Party Drivers

Damaged Swap File

To ensure that the swap file is not damaged, follow these steps:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click System.
  2. On the Performance tab, click Virtual Memory.
  3. Click "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings" and then click the Disable Virtual Memory check box to select it.

    NOTE: You cannot select the Disable Virtual Memory check box on a computer with only 8 MB of RAM. If your computer has only 8 MB of RAM, do not use these steps. Instead, restart your computer to a command prompt, delete any .swp file in the Windows folder, and then restart your computer.
  4. Click OK. When you are prompted to restart your computer, do so.
  5. Repeat steps 1-2.
  6. Click "Let Windows manage my virtual memory settings" and then click OK.

Incompatible or Damaged Tape Drive or Backup Tape

For information about troubleshooting problems with incompatible or damaged tape drives and backup tapes, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

130946 Troubleshooting Windows 95 Backup

Damaged Microsoft Backup Files

To make sure there are no damaged Backup files, remove Backup and then reinstall it. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Click the Windows Setup tab.
  3. Click Disk Tools, and then click Details.
  4. Click the Backup check box to clear it, click OK, and then restart your computer if you are prompted to do so.
  5. Repeat steps 1-3.
  6. Click the Backup check box to select it, and then click OK.

Faulty Memory

For information about troubleshooting problems with faulty memory in Windows 95, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142546 How to Use a RAM Drive to Troubleshoot Memory

MORE INFORMATION

The Microsoft Backup Memory Manager is responsible for storing the backup set file in memory during the backup, restore, or compare operation.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/17/2000
Keywords:KB143073
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