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(834160) - Describes an issue where NTBackup does not detect that some backup files are corrupted during the verification phase of the backup.

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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 834160 - Last Review: December 3, 2007 - Revision: 2.3

NTBackup may not detect corrupted backup files during verification

System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows Vista Solution Center

SYMPTOMS

When you use NTBackup to create a backup of your Windows 2000-based computer or server, NTBackup may not detect some forms of corruption or damage in the backup files during the verification pass.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the verification pass uses a checksum comparison to determine if there is corruption in the backup files. The checksum algorithm uses a word-wise exclusive OR operation (XOR) comparison of the backup data. If corruption occurs in the data at the same location in a word an even number of times, the checksum algorithm cannot detect this corruption.

NTBackup uses the word-wise XOR algorithm for compatibility with the Microsoft Tape Format (MTF) specification. Section 5.1 of the MTF specifies the use of this algorithm.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Keywords: 
kbbackup kbnofix kbbug KB834160
       

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