1. Check the Status column in Scheduled Tasks
Look here for clues. Sometimes it will be obvious, such as "The scheduled task did not run because an incorrect password or user name was entered".
While you are here, check which time the backup is scheduled to run.
2. Check the Windows application log
Look in the System log at around the time the backup should be run. You may see some clues here, such as a faulty tape drive. Also check the Application log for any additional clues.
3. Check RSM
Under Removable Storage Manager, click View > Full, then check the "Work Queue" for any errors. Delete any jobs that are failing.
Also try restarting the Removable Storage service.
Consider rebuilding the RSM database.
4. Run a cleaning tape through the drive
Run the cleaning tape through several times, and then try a manual backup.
5. Check the backup logs
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data
If the log is empty:
- Try a manual backup. If that works, check the credentials on the scheduled task (but you already checked this in step 1, right?) Try re-creating the scheduled task.
- Maybe a permissions issue reading the .bks file in "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\data" - Try moving the .bks files into a non-restricted folder eg. C:\Backup. Make sure to edit the scheduled task to reflect the new path.
If it says "cannot find media", check that the GUID in the scheduled task matches the actual tape's GUID. See "Replacing Old Tapes" for a script to simplify this process.
Common Errors:
The requested media failed to mount. The operation was aborted.
Could be one of the following. More info on BackupAssist KB article.
- On Windows XP and 2003, this error message is misleading. It means that you have run out of tape space, and the backup has stopped.
- This error can occur for faulty tapes. Sometimes tapes may consistently show this error after backing up a fixed amount of data.
- This error can occur when the tape drive requires cleaning, usually indicated by a flashing light on the drive.
6. Try another tape
Also try a brand new tape.
