Knowledge Base

Ntbackup.exe Generates Error Using 4-Character Description

Article ID: 157173

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

This article was previously published under Q157173

SYMPTOMS

If you use the /d switch as part of the syntax for the NTBACKUP command, you may receive the following error message:

An application error has occurred and an application error log is being generated.

Ntbackup.exe

Ntbackup.exe then tries to log an error to the DrWatson.log file. If Dr. Watson is not running, the following error message appears:

Cannot Open DrWatson.log File
Press OK to Browse for new directory
Windows NT Error Code = 3

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if you use a description with four characters, or if the fifth character in the description is a space (for example, "Full Backup").

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use a description with more or less than four characters, or without a space as the fifth character.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: KB157173