Troubleshooting MS Backup and MS Backup for Windows (94639)


The information in this article applies to:
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
    • Microsoft Windows 3.0
    • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
    • Microsoft Windows 3.1
    • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q94639

SUMMARY

If you encounter problems running Microsoft Backup for MS-DOS or Microsoft Backup for Windows, use the steps in the following section to correct the problems.

NOTE: If your computer fails the compatibility test, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information:

compatibility and test and fails

Common problems caused by incorrect system configuration include the following:
    • Microsoft Backup appears to stop responding (hang) when run from the MS-DOS command prompt in Windows.
    • Microsoft Backup for Windows causes Windows to close, leaving the MS-DOS command prompt displayed on the screen.
    • Windows reports that the DMA buffer size needs to be increased to 64.

MORE INFORMATION

TROUBLESHOOTING Microsoft Backup for Windows and Microsoft Backup

    • Microsoft does not recommend or support running the MS-DOS-based version of Microsoft Backup (MSBACKUP.EXE) with Windows. If you choose to do this, you should create a program information file (PIF) with the following settings for Microsoft Backup: 
           Display Usage: Full Screen
       Execution:  Exclusive

    • Your CONFIG.SYS file should include the following settings (the values shown are minimums): 
           FILES=30
       BUFFERS=30
       STACKS=9,256

    • The DMABufferSize= line should be set to at least 32 in the [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file. In some situations, the DMA buffer size needs to be set to 40 (either in the SYSTEM.INI file, or using EMM386.EXE, or both).
    • If you are using MSBACKUP.EXE in Windows or the Windows version of Microsoft Backup (MWBACKUP.EXE), you should place the following line in your SYSTEM.INI file if Setup did not install it: 
          device=c:\dos\vfintd.386
    If you omit this line, Backup displays the following error message:

    Microsoft Backup is not properly installed on this system.

    Please reinstall Microsoft Backup, or make the following changes to your SYSTEM.INI file:

    [386Enh]
    DEVICE=[ms-dos path]VFINTD.386
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 2/20/2002
Keywords: KB94639
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.