"volume shadow copying" from,the command line?

[ToddAndMargo]

Hi All,

I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
Administrator.

Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
the command line?

Many thanks,
-T

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

"ToddAndMargo" wrote in message
news:um0TuqPTKHA.1372@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hi All,
>
> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
> Administrator.
>
> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
> the command line?
>
> Many thanks,
> -T

You could use ntbackup.exe. Alternatively, vshadow.exe might do the trick -
see here: http://ithelp.cveg.uark.edu/backup/backup.pdf. I have yet to try
this approach.

 

[ToddAndMargo]

Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
> "ToddAndMargo" wrote in message
> news:um0TuqPTKHA.1372@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
>> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
>> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
>> Administrator.
>>
>> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
>> the command line?
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> -T
>
> You could use ntbackup.exe. Alternatively, vshadow.exe might do the trick -
> see here: http://ithelp.cveg.uark.edu/backup/backup.pdf. I have yet to try
> this approach.

Thank you! I got to run to customer site. Will read
tomorrow.

Have you seen?
http://blogs.msdn.com/adioltean/archive/20.../14/301868.aspx

-T

 

[whs]

ToddAndMargo1168077 Wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
> Administrator.
>
> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
> the command line?
>
> Many thanks,
> -T


Why do you want to do that from cmd. Go to the Backup and Restore
Center, then in the left pane to "Create a Restore Point ...".You can do
it right from there.


--
whs

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

"ToddAndMargo" wrote in message
news:eOLET%23PTKHA.4364@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Pegasus [MVP] wrote:
>> "ToddAndMargo" wrote in message
>> news:um0TuqPTKHA.1372@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
>>> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
>>> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
>>> Administrator.
>>>
>>> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
>>> the command line?
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>> -T
>>
>> You could use ntbackup.exe. Alternatively, vshadow.exe might do the
>> trick - see here: http://ithelp.cveg.uark.edu/backup/backup.pdf. I have
>> yet to try this approach.
>
> Thank you! I got to run to customer site. Will read
> tomorrow.
>
> Have you seen?
> http://blogs.msdn.com/adioltean/archive/20.../14/301868.aspx
>
> -T

It's the same thing that I mentioned.

 

[ToddAndMargo]

whs wrote:
> ToddAndMargo1168077 Wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
>> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
>> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
>> Administrator.
>>
>> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
>> the command line?
>>
>> Many thanks,
>> -T
>
>
> Why do you want to do that from cmd. Go to the Backup and Restore
> Center, then in the left pane to "Create a Restore Point ...".You can do
> it right from there.

I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:\users
directory tree. I could be wrong now ...

-T

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

"ToddAndMargo" wrote in message
news:O3es$BcTKHA.5208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> whs wrote:
>> ToddAndMargo1168077 Wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
>>> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
>>> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
>>> Administrator.
>>>
>>> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
>>> the command line?
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>> -T
>>
>>
>> Why do you want to do that from cmd. Go to the Backup and Restore
>> Center, then in the left pane to "Create a Restore Point ...".You can do
>> it right from there.
>
> I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
> extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
> fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:users
> directory tree. I could be wrong now ...
>
> -T

You have no control with System Restore but you have any kind of control
with ntbackup.exe.

 

[whs]

ToddAndMargo1168942 Wrote:
> whs wrote:> > >
> > > ToddAndMargo1168077 Wrote:> > > > >
> > > >> Hi All,
> > > >>
> > > >> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
> > > >> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
> > > >> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
> > > >> Administrator.
> > > >>
> > > >> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
> > > >> the command line?
> > > >>
> > > >> Many thanks,
> > > >> -T> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Why do you want to do that from cmd. Go to the Backup and Restore
> > > Center, then in the left pane to "Create a Restore Point ...".You
> > can do
> > > it right from there. > >
>
> I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
> extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
> fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:users
> directory tree. I could be wrong now ...
>
> -T


No you are not wrong. But I know of no way to use VSS to deal with
individual files. You may want to explore some of the imaging programs
that also do file backup. Here is a list of free programs: ( '7 Freeware
Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
(http://www.winvistaclub.com/d75.html) ).


--
whs

 

[Brooke Justice]

whs wrote:
> ToddAndMargo1168942 Wrote:
>> whs wrote:> > >
>>>> ToddAndMargo1168077 Wrote:> > > > >
>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am having a total pain in the neck trying to backup
>>>>>> some files in my Users directories with xcopy, etc..
>>>>>> Access violation, etc, even though I am running as
>>>>>> Administrator.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is there a way I can do "volume shadow copying" from
>>>>>> the command line?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Many thanks,
>>>>>> -T> > > >
>>>>
>>>> Why do you want to do that from cmd. Go to the Backup and Restore
>>>> Center, then in the left pane to "Create a Restore Point ...".You
>>> can do
>>>> it right from there. > >
>> I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
>> extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
>> fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:users
>> directory tree. I could be wrong now ...
>>
>> -T
>
>
> No you are not wrong. But I know of no way to use VSS to deal with
> individual files. You may want to explore some of the imaging programs
> that also do file backup. Here is a list of free programs: ( '7 Freeware
> Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
> (http://www.winvistaclub.com/d75.html) ).
>
>

If you'll look at this link,
http://redmondmag.com/articles/2007/10/31/...server-vms.aspx.
it gives instructions on how to backup live virtual machines. Which is
not your problem, however it does utilize vshadow.exe (included in VSS
Software Development Kit) to create shadow copies and then mount one of
the shadow copies as a drive. From there you can copy whatever files off
of that mounted drive you want to. In the vb script where it talks about
VM drive and VM folder, you would of course just substitute what you
want to backup. It works pretty well for Virtual Server 2005 R2 on
Windows 2003 R2. And, it might work for you in this situation.

hth,
Brooke

 

[whs]

Brooke Justice1169736 Wrote:
> whs wrote:> > >
> > > ToddAndMargo1168942 Wrote:> > > > >
> > > >> whs wrote:> > >
> > > >> I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
> > > >> extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
> > > >> fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:users
> > > >> directory tree. I could be wrong now ...
> > > >>
> > > >> -T> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > No you are not wrong. But I know of no way to use VSS to deal
> > with
> > > individual files. You may want to explore some of the imaging
> > programs
> > > that also do file backup. Here is a list of free programs: ( '7
> > Freeware
> > > Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
> > > ('7 Freeware Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
> > (http://www.winvistaclub.com/d75.html)) ).
> > >
> > > > >
>
> If you'll look at this link,
> 'Backing Up Live Virtual Server VMs -- Redmondmag.com'
> (http://redmondmag.com/articles/2007/10/31/...server-vms.aspx).
> it gives instructions on how to backup live virtual machines. Which
> is
> not your problem, however it does utilize vshadow.exe (included in
> VSS
> Software Development Kit) to create shadow copies and then mount one
> of
> the shadow copies as a drive. From there you can copy whatever files
> off
> of that mounted drive you want to. In the vb script where it talks
> about
> VM drive and VM folder, you would of course just substitute what you
> want to backup. It works pretty well for Virtual Server 2005 R2 on
> Windows 2003 R2. And, it might work for you in this situation.
>
> hth,
> Brooke

Would be interesting to know whether that works in Vista. It was my
understanding the VSS works differently in the server OS than in Vista.
But maybe I am wrong.


--
whs

 

[Brooke Justice]

whs wrote:
> Brooke Justice1169736 Wrote:
>> whs wrote:> > >
>>>> ToddAndMargo1168942 Wrote:> > > > >
>>>>>> whs wrote:> > >
>>>>>> I am specifically targeting on certain files with a certain
>>>>>> extension in each user's desktop. You do not have that kind
>>>>>> fine control in backup. You have to select the whole c:users
>>>>>> directory tree. I could be wrong now ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -T> > > >
>>>>
>>>> No you are not wrong. But I know of no way to use VSS to deal
>>> with
>>>> individual files. You may want to explore some of the imaging
>>> programs
>>>> that also do file backup. Here is a list of free programs: ( '7
>>> Freeware
>>>> Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
>>>> ('7 Freeware Acronis True Image & Norton Ghost Alternatives'
>>> (http://www.winvistaclub.com/d75.html)) ).
>> If you'll look at this link,
>> 'Backing Up Live Virtual Server VMs -- Redmondmag.com'
>> (http://redmondmag.com/articles/2007/10/31/...server-vms.aspx).
>> it gives instructions on how to backup live virtual machines. Which
>> is
>> not your problem, however it does utilize vshadow.exe (included in
>> VSS
>> Software Development Kit) to create shadow copies and then mount one
>> of
>> the shadow copies as a drive. From there you can copy whatever files
>> off
>> of that mounted drive you want to. In the vb script where it talks
>> about
>> VM drive and VM folder, you would of course just substitute what you
>> want to backup. It works pretty well for Virtual Server 2005 R2 on
>> Windows 2003 R2. And, it might work for you in this situation.
>>
>> hth,
>> Brooke
>
> Would be interesting to know whether that works in Vista. It was my
> understanding the VSS works differently in the server OS than in Vista.
> But maybe I am wrong.
>
>

I have not used this on Vista, but have used a third party program to
expose the shadow copies on Vista in order to restore a PST. So, it's
possible. If I remember right, XP uses Shadow copy only to copy system
files, registry, etc, but Vista and Server2003 on up will shadow copy
the whole volume. The following links may help...

Vshadow Tool referenced in the VSS SDK
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530725(VS.85).aspx

VSS information and at the bottom, links to MS Windows SDK which has
vshadow.exe for W2k3 and up included, and to the VSS SDK 7.2
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb968832(VS.85).aspx

hth,
Brooke

 

[whs]

Brooke Justice1169948 Wrote:
> whs wrote:> > >
> > > Brooke Justice1169736 Wrote:> > > > >
> > > >> whs wrote:> > >
> > > >> If you'll look at this link,
> > > >> 'Backing Up Live Virtual Server VMs -- Redmondmag.com'
> > > >> ('Backing Up Live Virtual Server VMs -- Redmondmag.com'
> > > (http://redmondmag.com/articles/2007/10/31/...server-vms.aspx)).
> > > >> it gives instructions on how to backup live virtual machines. Which
> > > >> is
> > > >> not your problem, however it does utilize vshadow.exe (included in
> > > >> VSS
> > > >> Software Development Kit) to create shadow copies and then mount one
> > > >> of
> > > >> the shadow copies as a drive. From there you can copy whatever files
> > > >> off
> > > >> of that mounted drive you want to. In the vb script where it talks
> > > >> about
> > > >> VM drive and VM folder, you would of course just substitute what you
> > > >> want to backup. It works pretty well for Virtual Server 2005 R2 on
> > > >> Windows 2003 R2. And, it might work for you in this situation.
> > > >>
> > > >> hth,
> > > >> Brooke> > > >
> > >
> > > Would be interesting to know whether that works in Vista. It was
> > my
> > > understanding the VSS works differently in the server OS than in
> > Vista.
> > > But maybe I am wrong.
> > >
> > > > >
>
> I have not used this on Vista, but have used a third party program to
> expose the shadow copies on Vista in order to restore a PST. So, it's
> possible. If I remember right, XP uses Shadow copy only to copy
> system
> files, registry, etc, but Vista and Server2003 on up will shadow copy
> the whole volume. The following links may help...
>
> Vshadow Tool referenced in the VSS SDK
> 'VShadow Tool and Sample (Windows)'
> (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530725(VS.85).aspx)
>
> VSS information and at the bottom, links to MS Windows SDK which has
> vshadow.exe for W2k3 and up included, and to the VSS SDK 7.2
> 'Volume Shadow Copy Service (Windows)'
> (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb968832(VS.85).aspx)
>
> hth,
> Brooke


Right. Getting stuff off the shadows is easy with Shadow Explorer (
'ShadowExplorer.com - About' (http://www.shadowexplorer.com/) ). Long
time ago I even made a video tutorial on it ( 'Recover lost files with
Shadow Explorer - Tutorial on Vimeo' (http://www.vimeo.com/3236026) ).
You can also find a written version here: ( 'Recover Files with Shadow
Copies on Any Version of Windows Vista :: the How-To Geek'
(http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vis...-windows-vista/)).


--
whs