"Tape Device Error" error message when you try to restore or to catalog a tape backup that was made on a computer that is running a 64-bit Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2003 (873422)

SYMPTOMS

You have a tape backup that was made by using the Backup utility (Ntbackup.exe) on a computer that is running a 64-bit Itanium-based version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003. When you try to restore or to catalog the tape backup to a server that is running a 32-bit version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, you receive the following error message:

Tape Device Error

For example, you receive this error message when you try to restore the tape backup to a computer that is running a 32-bit version of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or to a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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
   ---------------------------------------------------
   01-Dec-2004  13:35  5.2.3790.238  55,808  Tape.sys

MORE INFORMATION

After you apply this hotfix, the problem will not occur when you use new tapes. The hotfix prevents new tapes that are made on a computer that is running a 64-bit Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2003 from having a block size of 64 KB.

The first use of a new tape determines the block size of the tape. If a tape has already been used on a computer that is running a 64-bit Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2003 and if that computer did not have this hotfix applied, this hotfix will not affect the tape. Therefore, 32-bit computers will still not be able to read the tape correctly. If the tape was originally used on a 32-bit computer, you do not experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section.