"Error on a Request to Write Data to Media" error message when you use Ntbackup.exe

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SYMPTOMS

When you perform a backup by using the Ntbackup.exe utility, the backup proceeds until it is nearly finished, but then it stops. Then, you receive the following error message:

The device reported an error on a request to write data to media.
Error reported: Invalid command. There may be a hardware or media problem. Please check the system event log for relevant failures.

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A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File Information

The English version of this has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   31-Mar-2003  19:15  5.2.3790.2      1,167,872  Ntbackup.exe     
   29-Mar-2003  02:41                        211  Branches.inf
   31-Mar-2003  19:31                     10,091  Kb817688.cat
   31-Mar-2003  19:16                        354  Updatebr.inf
   31-Mar-2003  19:16                      5,164  Update_rtmqfe.inf

After you apply the fix, you will want to return the media that the error occurred on to a free media pool. To configure the media to automatically return to a free media pool, follow these steps:

Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
Expand Storage
Expand Removable Storage.
Expand Media Pools.
Right-click the media pool that you want, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, click to select the Return media to Free media pool check box.

If you do not click to select the Return media to Free media pool check box, you must manually move the tapes or the disks in this program media pool to a free media pool when they are no longer needed. After you perform this action, another program can use those tapes or disks.

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

268994 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/268994/ ) Remote Storage Service has no option to reclaim media after removing a volume from management

234776 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234776/ ) Remote Storage Services recommended practices

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

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