SBS 2003 SP 2, backup, error, sysvol

Torben

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May 24, 2008, 2:24:17 PM5/24/08

to

Hi,

My server backup log contains the following error messages:

"Backup Type: Normal
Backup started on 22-05-2008 at 23:02.
Error: Could not access portions of directory E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\staging
areas\infudv2.local.
You may not have permission to open the file, or the directory may be
missing or damaged.
Please contact the owner or administrator.
Error: Could not access portions of directory
E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\infudv2.local.
You may not have permission to open the file, or the directory may be
missing or damaged.
Please contact the owner or administrator."

As I remember the error messages emerged after:
1) a disk crash
2) a restore that left the server completly unstable
3) a reinstall (perhaps without reformating drive e: ?)

Can anyone help ?

PS. I must admit that I only have a vague idea about what this 'sysvol' is
all about :-(

Cliff Galiher

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May 24, 2008, 4:07:10 PM5/24/08

to

Sysvol is the location of the files used by Active Directory. It is an
essential part of any domain backup, and permissions would've been set at
the time of install. If the problem is a leftover from a previous install
then you'll be fine, but if not....

Basically, since it sounds like you aren't confident in the stability or
condition of the server (no reformat before a re-install?) I'd probaby do a
swing migration to a virtual server so you can test functionality without
killing your primary server and ensure everything is intact. Then you can
swing again back to the original hardware.

-Cliff

"Torben" <Tor...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
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Torben

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May 25, 2008, 4:13:01 AM5/25/08

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The server has been running OK for more than 3 month since the reinstall.

There is also a sysvol-directory on disk c: - I would like to know if a
server needs a sysvol-directory on every disk ?

PS. Backup af disk c: doesn't generate any errors in the backup log.

Guozhen Wang[MSFT]

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May 27, 2008, 5:26:54 AM5/27/08

to

Hello,

Thank you for your post and thanks for Cliff's great help.
My name is Gary Wang, and it is my pleasure to work with you on this issue!
Please allow me to confirm that my understandings are correct. As I
understand it, the issue is:

Your backup work failed with error show that cannot access portions of

directory E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\infudv2.local.

If I have misunderstood your concerns please feel free to let me know.

Suggestion :
==============
Firstly, I would like to share some information about Sysvol folder with
you. The System Volume (Sysvol) is a shared directory that stores the
server copy of the domain's public files that must be shared for common
access and replication throughout a domain. The Sysvol folder on a domain
controller contains the following items:

a. Net Logon shares. These typically host logon scripts and policy objects
for network client computers.
b. User logon scripts for domains where the administrator uses Active
Directory Users and Computers.
c. Windows Group Policy.
d. File replication service (FRS) staging folder and files that must be
available and synchronized between domain controllers.
e. File system junctions.

File system junctions are used extensively in the Sysvol structure and are
a feature of NTFS file system 3.0. You must be aware of the existence of
junction points and how they operate so that you can avoid data loss or
corruption that may occur if you modify the Sysvol structure.

Normally, only the system partition contains Sysvol. Microsoft recommends
that you do not modify the Sysvol structure. This recommendation also
applies to backup and restore operations of the Sysvol structure. By
default, if you back up Sysvol by using NTBackup.exe, the backup file
includes a backup of the folder's junction point information. If you
restore a Sysvol structure from a backup file to a different location on
the same server, it will not restore the junction point information. To do
so, you may need to use the advanced restore options. Also, we recommend
that you do not modify or copy and paste any files directly to Sysvol
without understanding the behavior of junction points and how these points
affect Active Directory in your enterprise.

Your issue may due to improper operate on this folder. Please confirm with
the operator of re-installation which partition he chose as system
partition. If the issue happens on the system partition, I would suggest
that you refer to the following KB to rebuild the Sysvol:

How to rebuild the SYSVOL tree and its content in a domain
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315457

Also, please right click the E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\infudv2.local and
select Sharing and Security to check the ACL on the security tab, make sure
your current account which you are using for backup have enough permission.
Also your account is listed in the Backup Operators group and SYSTEM group.

Hope it helps.

If we cannot resolve the issue after we perform the above steps, please
help me collect some information for further investigation:

Information Need
==============
1. Check event viewer for related information, if there are any, please
help save it to *.evt and send to me.
2. Gather the log files in the "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small
Business Server\Support\Backup Logs" folder and send to me.
3. Gather backupxx.log files in the folder: C:\Documents and Settings\SBS
Backup User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows
NT\NTBackup\data and send to me.

My email is v-gz...@microsoft.com

I look forward to your reply. Also, if you have any questions or concerns,
please do not hesitate to let me know. I am happy to help. :-)

Thank you for your time and cooperation!

Best regards,

Gary Wang(MSFT)
Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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Torben

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May 29, 2008, 10:08:02 AM5/29/08

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Hi Garry,

Thank you for the information about the purpose a Sysvol folder.

I would like to keep things as simple as possible :-)

Let me outline the problem again:
1) the server is running Ok - except for the error message generated by the
backup job
2) the error message is:

"Error: Could not access portions of directory
E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\infudv2.local.
You may not have permission to open the file, or the directory may be
missing or damaged.
Please contact the owner or administrator."

3) other messages in the backup log indicates that everything else is
backuped and veryfied OK
4) drive C: contains folder C:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\INFUDV2.local and the
folder plus subfolders are accessible in Windows Explorer
5) drive E also contains folder E:\WINDOWS\SYSVOL\sysvol\INFUDV2.local and
acessing the folder result in an error message " ...referes to a location
that is unavailable ..."

Is it safe to conclude that the folder E:\WINDOWS is not used at all and can
be deleted ???

PS. I believe that folder E:\WINDOWS is the result of a wrong restore - but
the restore effort (2-3 month ago) is not documentet :-(

Regards
Torben

Guozhen Wang[MSFT]

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May 30, 2008, 4:48:09 AM5/30/08

to

Hello Torben,

Thanks for your update and information.

Based on my experience, if you are sure that your system partition is C: ,
I think the sysvol folder which located on E: is no need at all. However, I
recommend that you double confirm with the operator of that restore and
perform a full backup before delete it.

Have a nice day.

Best regards,

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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| Subject: Re: SBS 2003 SP 2, backup, error, sysvol

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Guozhen Wang[MSFT]

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May 30, 2008, 4:48:09 AM5/30/08

to

Hello Torben,

Thanks for your update and information.

Based on my experience, if you are sure that your system partition is C: ,
I think the sysvol folder which located on E: is no need at all. However, I
recommend that you double confirm with the operator of that restore and
perform a full backup before delete it.

Have a nice day.

Best regards,

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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| References: <547AF054-08B3-4CE4...@microsoft.com>
<572575A8-6D4C-4764...@microsoft.com>

<7E4688D3-AAC2-4633...@microsoft.com>
<VpciQv9v...@TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl>

| Subject: Re: SBS 2003 SP 2, backup, error, sysvol

| Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 07:08:02 -0700
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Torben

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Jun 5, 2008, 9:48:02 AM6/5/08

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Hi,

After taking a full backup I renamed the directory e:\Windows and rebooted
the server.

Everything works OK.

Thank you for helping me out here.

Laura Zhang[MSFT]

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Jun 5, 2008, 9:41:24 PM6/5/08

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Hello Torben,

Thank you for your update. We are glad to hear that everything is fine now.
:-)

Best regards,

Laura Zhang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
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