Windows junctions and links not backed up

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gmuller2
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:59 pm

Post by gmuller2 »

Hi,

I have FBackup 4.4.188 and used it yesterday for the first time on a Windows 7 32-bit PC.

The "mirror" backup to an external HDD worked okay except for open files (see Backup of open files topic) AND that all Windows (NTFS) junctions/links (not *.lnk shortcuts) were skipped. The log files does not even mention the fact these links are not backed up! NTFS junctions/links are also known as reparse points.
Example of a standard Windows junction in Windows 7 (or Vista):

C:\>dir /al

Volume in drive C has no label.

Volume Serial Number is 2466-6301
Directory of C:\
22/04/2009 16:27 <JUNCTION> Documents and Settings [C:\Users]

0 File(s) 0 bytes

1 Dir(s) 25,473,359,872 bytes free
Is FBackup not able to backup junctions/links?


Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1953
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 7:57 am

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,
Please send us the last backup log from View->Job Logs->Last backup log, to info[at]fbackup[dot]com

Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

gmuller2
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:59 pm

Post by gmuller2 »

The log file has been sent via email as requested.


gmuller2
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:59 pm

Post by gmuller2 »

First attempt of sending the large email attachment did not work as it was rejected by my ISP(?). You will receive the log via split ZIP attachment in 4 parts.


Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1953
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 7:57 am

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,
If you would carefully read our post, you'll notice that we did not ask you to send the backup zipped files, but the last backup log. We also told you the exact location where you can find it.

So please send us the correct file.

Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

gmuller2
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:59 pm

Post by gmuller2 »

Hi,
Have you actually tried to merge the sent ZIP pieces to rebuild the log file? I would say the name of the file with .zip removed makes it clear that this is the last backup log. Since the backed up the entire C drive the log file obviously is very large (77MB)! This is the THE file that is opened with Notepad when I click on View->Job Logs->Last backup log.
The start if this log file reads as follows:

[01/03/2010 23:16:06] FBackup 4.4.188

[01/03/2010 23:16:06] Search for "Warning: " and "Error: " to locate warnings and errors in this log file

[01/03/2010 23:16:06] Starting backup for "C Drive Backup" at 01/03/2010 23:16:06

[01/03/2010 23:16:06] Operating system: Windows 7 Professional (build 7100)

Processor[0] : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz

Processor[1] : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz

Physical memory (free/total) : 447 MB/1012 MB

Display (res/color/DPI) : 1152X864/32 bit/96

System font (name/height/size/charset) : Segoe UI/-12/9/1

Admin/BkPriv/RePriv : True/True/True

IsWOW64 : False

Locale : English (Australia)

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Checking if the drives of the sources exist

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Checking backup destination (External hard drive)

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Creating the list of files to backup

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Found file C:\autoexec.bat

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Found folder C:\Config.Msi

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Found file C:\config.sys

[01/03/2010 23:16:11] Found folder C:\Cygwin

...
The application log (FBackup.log) in the same folder reads:
Backup job "C Drive Backup" at 01/03/2010 23:16:06
Backup:
Total number of files added to backup: 89478

Total number of folders added to backup: 17389

Total size of files added to backup: 18,178,355.55 KB

Number of files excluded: 82

Number of folders excluded: 0

Files skipped: 82

Next scheduled backup:

Backup completed at 02/03/2010 01:02:38 with 0 error(s), 82 warning(s)
Test:

Starting test on "C Drive Backup" for all backup numbers at 02/03/2010 00:37:06

Test finished at 02/03/2010 01:02:37, 89478 file(s) and 17389 folder(s) tested, 0 error(s) and 0 warning(s) found
There are no other files in this location (%AppData%\Softland\FBackup 4\Logs). If the above is not he info you requested then I give up.


Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1953
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 7:57 am

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,
The 3.6 MB zip file was split in 4 smaller files and seems to be the files from destination, that is why we asked you for the correct file.

We were able to extract and open the log file.
As I saw from the log file, the problem are not the junctions, but the Windows and other system files you try to back up.
Please note FBackup was not design for system backup.

You should uncheck the following files/folders from the Source list in Backup Properties:

- Windows

- hiberfil.sys

- ProgramData->Microsoft

- System Volume Information

Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

JDL
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:12 pm

Post by JDL »

I would like to comment also that FBackup does not back up NTFS junctions or symbolic links. I have several directories that have these links in them and FBackup completely ignores them.
In windows vista (64 or 32 bit) and windows 7 (ditto), you can create junctions and symbolic links with mklink. Simply type mklink at a command prompt and it will list the usage of the command.
The symbolic links and junctions I have set up to refer to other directories and files to make administration of an installation I have to be simpler (if you can imagine that). It all refers back to one set of directories and files where needed, with local directories and files being used for more specific items that are not global.
Since Fbackup does not even recognize the links to back them up, I am unable to use Fbackup at all.
Most other software simply regards the target and not the junction/link. With that other software, it means that target directories and files are backed up with improper redundancy, making a restore of such a "backup" unusable. Instead of the junction/link items being properly restored, with those pointing to the correct directories/files, you end up with the directories and/or files instead. This type of backup is no good either.
Here is a sample of what I am speaking of:

Code: Select all

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <DIR>          .

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <DIR>          ..

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     ChanMaps [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\ChanMaps]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     ColorThemes [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\ColorThemes]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     Cursors [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\Cursors]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     Data [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\Data]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     Effects [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\Effects]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     FXChains [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\FXChains]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     KeyMaps [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\KeyMaps]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     Presets [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\Presets]

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     ProjectTemplates [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\ProjectTemplates]

2010/11/12  11:36 AM             2,172 reaper-dxplugins.ini

2010/11/07  11:28 AM               615 reaper-dxplugins64.ini

2010/11/06  06:47 PM            27,961 reaper-fxfolders.ini

2010/11/29  05:31 PM                 5 reaper-install-rev.txt

2010/08/04  03:42 PM               504 reaper-install.ini

2010/08/02  07:45 PM             6,966 reaper-kb.ini

2010/08/04  11:51 PM               506 reaper-license.rk

2010/07/27  02:10 AM                38 reaper-menu.ini

2010/12/03  03:39 PM               299 reaper-midihw.ini

2010/11/20  04:21 PM             1,866 reaper-recentfx.ini

2010/12/03  03:43 PM               110 reaper-reginfo2.ini

2010/11/12  01:26 AM               165 reaper-vstfxppath.ini

2010/12/02  08:52 PM            25,078 reaper-vstplugins.ini

2010/12/03  03:39 PM            26,773 reaper-vstplugins64.ini

2010/11/06  06:37 PM                49 reaper-vstshells.ini

2010/10/14  05:04 PM                49 reaper-vstshells64.ini

2010/12/03  03:43 PM            16,212 Reaper.ini

2010/12/03  03:37 PM    <JUNCTION>     TrackTemplates [R:\ReaperUsers\Common\TrackTemplates]
The junctions here are not recognized at all by fbackup.
Here is the mklink command:

Code: Select all


mklink

Creates a symbolic link.
MKLINK [[/D] | [/H] | [/J]] Link Target
        /D      Creates a directory symbolic link.  Default is a file symbolic link.

        /H      Creates a hard link instead of a symbolic link.

        /J      Creates a Directory Junction.

        Link    specifies the new symbolic link name.

        Target  specifies the path (relative or absolute) that the new link refers to.
Windows 2000 and Windows XP did support junctions. I don't know if the other two types of links were supported. It is only with Vista and Win7 that all three are supported. I know this would make for headaches on "restores" from Vista or Win7 to a prior OS. I would not be attempting such a "restore".
Here is a "restore" of the same directory I've shown above:

Code: Select all

2010/11/12  11:36 AM             2,172 reaper-dxplugins.ini

2010/11/07  11:28 AM               615 reaper-dxplugins64.ini

2010/11/06  06:47 PM            27,961 reaper-fxfolders.ini

2010/11/29  05:31 PM                 5 reaper-install-rev.txt

2010/08/04  03:42 PM               504 reaper-install.ini

2010/08/02  07:45 PM             6,966 reaper-kb.ini

2010/08/04  11:51 PM               506 reaper-license.rk

2010/07/27  02:10 AM                38 reaper-menu.ini

2010/12/03  03:39 PM               299 reaper-midihw.ini

2010/11/20  04:21 PM             1,866 reaper-recentfx.ini

2010/12/03  03:43 PM               110 reaper-reginfo2.ini

2010/11/12  01:26 AM               165 reaper-vstfxppath.ini

2010/12/02  08:52 PM            25,078 reaper-vstplugins.ini

2010/12/03  03:39 PM            26,773 reaper-vstplugins64.ini

2010/11/06  06:37 PM                49 reaper-vstshells.ini

2010/10/14  05:04 PM                49 reaper-vstshells64.ini

2010/12/03  03:43 PM            16,212 Reaper.ini

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1953
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 7:57 am

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,
Is the junction created to a local target folder?

Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

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