Backup Exec 12.5 Problem

[e_tully]

Hi,

My company uses backup tapes that hold 320 GB uncompressed and Backup Exec 12.5 (Windows Server 2003 SBS).  However, when the backup reaches more than 198 GB of backed up data, Backup Exec ejects the tape and says to insert overwriteable media.  The tape backs up everything until it gets to "System State" and then the tape is ejected.  Is there something wrong with the "System State"?

Some days the tape works successfully including the System State but most of the time, it has failed.  We have tried to have the tape backup less by removing some less important data but it still has failed when it gets to the System State.

It does not seem to be giving any errors except to insert media.

Thank you for your help,

Elizabeth Tully

[CraigV]

Hi Elizabeth,

Check your compression levels. At worst you should be getting 1:1, but there are occassions where you get .9:1 and therefore less on a tape. This can be caused by data that's already compressed being compressed during a backup. The end result is that the data rehydrates.

You can also check for any hard write errors on your tapes which may cause various errors reading to, and writing from tapes.

Make sure you're running the latest device drives for BE 12.5, coupled with the latest patches as well.

Another thing to try is to format your tape using your drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility and then run the backup again. If you have an HP drive for example, HP LTT includes a compression test that checks to see if you can get compression through your hardware.

Thanks!

[pkh]

Check your tape statistics, in particular the Data and Used Capacity figures.  See my article below

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/tape-statistics-explained

To understand why some data compresses badly,  read my article

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/compression-short-explanation

[Carlos_Quiroga]

On the properties for each tape (and also check the tape drive) you may see a number of Soft and Hard Write Errors.

If a tape has too many of these, it will be skipping blocks and occupying more space or in other words, being able to write less to the affectted tape.

Regards,

[CraigV]

...unfortunately a 2 month old query with no further response from the OP!