Backup Device Error

When you try to catalog and/or restore a tape made by Windows Server 2003's NTBackup, Windows 2000 and Windows XP report:

Backup Device Error

Cause

• This error has been documented in a Microsoft Knowledge Base Article here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821588

NTBackup in Windows Server 2003 can allocate tape block sizes of up to 64 kilobytes (KB). NTBackup in Windows 2000 and Windows XP can allocate, and read, tape block sizes of up to 32 KB.

If the tape contains block sizes in excess of 32 KB, Windows 2000 and Windows XP will report the Backup Device Error.

NOTE: NTBackup in Windows Server 2003 can restore a backup made in Windows 2000 and Windows XP

Resolution

There is a hotfix available for both Windows XP and Windows 2000 as the Microsoft support article suggests: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821588