Set backup options

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To set backup options

  1. Open Backup.

    The Backup or Restore Wizard starts by default, unless it is disabled.

  2. Click the Advanced Mode link on the Backup or Restore Wizard.

  3. Click the Tools menu, then click Options.

  4. On the General tab, set the options you want.

Notes

  • You can use Backup to back up and restore data on FAT16, FAT32, or NTFS volumes. However, if you have backed up data from an NTFS volume, it is recommended that you restore the data to an NTFS volume of the same version to prevent losing data. Some file systems might not support all of the features of other file systems.

  • To start Backup, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.

    Item Description

    Compute selection information before backup and restore operations

    Estimates the number of files and bytes that will be backed up or restored during the current backup or restore operation. This information is calculated and displayed before the backup or restore begins.

    Use the catalogs on the media to speed up building restore catalogs on disk

    Specifies that you want to use the on-media catalog to build the on-disk catalog for restore selections. This is the fastest way to build an on-disk catalog. However, if you want to restore data from several tapes, and the tape with the on-media catalog is missing or you want to restore data from media that is damaged, do not select this option. Backup will then scan your entire backup set (or as much of it as you have) and build an on-disk catalog. This could take several hours if your backup set is very large.

    Verify data after the backup completes

    Checks for disk errors that may have occurred while files were being copied to tape. This might substantially increase the time it takes to perform a backup. It is recommended that you only verify backups of data files; system backups are difficult to verify due to the large number of changes that happen to system files on a continual basis. Some data files that were in use during the backup might also cause verification errors, but you can generally ignore these errors. If there are a large number of verification errors, there may be a problem with the media or the file you are using to back up data. If this occurs, use different media or designate another file and run the backup operation again.

    Back up the contents of mounted drives

    Backs up the data that is on a mounted drive. If you select this option, and you back up a mounted drive, the data that is on the mounted drive will be backed up. If you do not select this option, and you back up a mounted drive, only the path information for the mounted drive will be backed up.

    Show alert message when I start Backup and Removable Storage is not running

    Displays a dialog box when you start Backup and Removable Storage is not running. Backup will then start Removable Storage automatically. If you primarily back up data to a file, and you save the file to a floppy disk, a hard disk, or any type of removable disk, do not check this box. If you primarily back up data to a tape, or other media that is managed by Removable Storage, check this box.

    Show alert message when I start Backup and there is recognizable media available

    Displays a dialog box when you start Backup and there is new media available. If you primarily back up data to a file, and you save the file to a floppy disk, a hard disk, or any type of removable disk, do not check this box. If you primarily back up data to a tape or other media that is managed by Removable Storage, check this box. For more information on media pools and Removable Storage, see Related Topics.

    Show alert message when new media is inserted

    Displays a dialog box when new media is detected by Removable Storage. If you primarily back up data to a file and you save the file to a floppy disk, a hard disk, or any type of removable disk, do not check this box. If you primarily back up data to a tape, or other media that is managed by Removable Storage, check this box.

    Always allow use of recognizable media without prompting

    Automatically moves new media that is detected by Removable Storage to the Backup media pool. If you usually back up data to a file, and you save the file to a floppy disk, a hard disk, or any type of removable disk, do not check this box. If you want all new media to be available to the Backup program only, and no one is using Removable Storage to manage new media, check this box.

Information about functional differences

  • Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

See Also

Concepts

Set advanced backup options
Using batch files to back up data