Page History: How to Troubleshoot Missed Offsite Backup Schedules
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Page Revision: 26/11/2009 12:27
Introduction
If you are receiving an email from the offsite backup server regularly with the subject line "Reminder: Scheduled Backup Missed" then at least one of your offsite backup schedules are not running correctly. Because our data storage servers will monitor when your backups are expected to run, you will be notified by email of missed backups so that you can take corrective action. It is important to correct ongoing problems with missed backups, otherwise you will not have current data protection.
This tutorial will walk you through several ways to troubleshoot possible reasons why the Offsite Backup Manager client on your computer is not executing the backup procedure.
Checking the Basics
- Make sure the offsite backup Manager (SecureOBM) client software is installed on your computer. In Microsoft Windows, you should be able to load the software by clicking Start, Program Files, Offsite Backup Manager, then SecureOBM. You should then be able to login to the backup server and see the offsite Backup Manager interface. You can then try running one of your backup sets manually by clicking on the Backup button and following the on screen prompts. If your manual backup appears to run correctly then you can stop the backup and start looking for other issues which may be preventing the computer from executing the backup at the scheduled time.
- Check the backup set schedules and make sure your computer will be turned on and connected to the internet at the time the backup is supposed to run. Check your computer power settings (in Control Panel if using Windows) and make sure that your computer is NOT configured to shutdown, standby or a hibernate mode when you have not used your computer for a certain amount of time. For backups scheduled to run late in the evening, you will need to choose an "Always On" power saving mode or adjust the power settings profile accordingly, so that your computer does not turn off before the backup can execute.
- Check your computer timezone settings are correct. In Windows if you load the Date/Time control panel from the task bar. Click on the time zone settings and ensure both the GMT and daylight saving settings are correct for your state. If you are not currently residing in a state that is participating in yearly daylight savings, then you MUST untick the option "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes". Failure to un-tick this option may mean your computer is running 1 hour ahead or behind of your currently configuring timezone. Save your timezone changes, and ensure the clock is then set to the correct time. Reboot your computer if you have made any timezone or daylight saving changes.
Advanced Troubleshooting
- In Windows, load the Control Panel, choose Administrative Tools, Click on Services. In the service list right-click and stop the service called "Online Backup Scheduler" or "Offsite Backup Manager". Sometimes this service is also called "SecureOBM". Check to see if the following file on your computer exists - C:\Program Files\SecureOBM\ipc\Scheduler\running - If it does, then delete the "running" file from the Scheduler folder and then restart the Offsite Backup Manager Service in the list of Services (Or Reboot). Schedule a test backup time-slot and wait and see if the backup schedule executes correctly.
- Check the log files in the following SecureOBM, Program Files folder on your computer - C:\Program Files\SecureOBM\log\ - You can normally view these .log files by loading then in Windows Notepad or a similar text editor. These files may contain clues or errors as to why the Offsite Backup Scheduler may not be running on your computer.
- Check the running scheduler logs located in C:\Documents and Settings\\.obm\log\Scheduler (Or the equivalent C:\Users\ folder in Windows Vista+). The debug.log file located in this folder should contain the log of backup profile downloads from the storage server, and count down until the next scheduled backup time-slot. If this file does not contain a continuous stream of entries counting down to the next schedule, then your offsite backup scheduler service is not loading correctly.
- Disable your Antivirus program and then schedule a test backup procedure. Some Antivirus programs are over-protective of scripts and automated tasks that are running on your computer, and will wrongly intercept the execution of Java code. Depending on the Antivirus software you are running, you may need to adjust the settings to disable "Script Protection" or Java filtering. You may even need to uninstall your Antivirus software and changed to a diffrent security software vendor. Most of the AV products we have tested are compatible, however we have experienced some issues with certain versions of Avast. If you have to install your AV software, you can download a free and reliable replacement antivirus software solution here - Grisoft AVG FREE Antvirus SoftwareGrisoft AVG.
- Run a "check disk" (or scan disk) of your computer hard disk drive. To do this in windows Right click your C:\Local Disk in My Computer, choose properties, click on the Tools Tab, click the Check Now button, and tick both the options and press start. When asked to schedule a disk check on next reboot, choose Yes, and then Reboot your PC. If your check disk procedure corrects a large number of software errors with your file storage system, then it may be necessary to download and reinstall the Offsite Backup Manager software.