Ntbackup.exe Is Unable to Restore Data When it Encounters an Unknown Data String

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This article was previously published under Q273400

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SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to restore data from a backup file (.bkf) by using the Ntbackup.exe tool, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to Restore

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This problem can occur if Ntbackup.exe encounters an unknown data stream. The unknown data stream can be caused by a third-party .bkf file that contains data streams with Stream ID's that are not known by the Ntbackup.exe tool. Instead of skipping the invalid data stream and continuing with the restoration process, Ntbackup.exe becomes unable to perform the restoration and generates an error message.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/260910/EN-US/ ) How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date     Time     Version        Size       File name
   --------------------------------------------------------
   9/6/00   12:19PM  5.0.2195.2122  1,100,000  Ntbackup.exe

NOTE: This hotfix makes Ntbackup.exe skip the unknown data stream so that it can continue to perform the restoration.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2.

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MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

249149 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/249149/EN-US/ ) Installing Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Hotfixes

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