ntbackup has been working properly until recently (after installing the .NET upgrades). it now freezes atPreparing to backup using shadow copy. this is on a stand alone computer using xp pro sp3 all current upgrades. the shadow copy service is set to automatic and started. I restored a previous backup with system information which did not help.thanks,expaq.1 person needs an answerI do too

Thank you for using the Microsoft forums. Depending on the amount of your hard drive storage, and how fragmented everything is, ntbackup may well appear to freeze as it attempts to get the info together on all of the files and folders. Defragment the hard drive first (don't use the computer as this is happening-opened files don't get defragged) then, right-click on the icon for backup, and try running it as an administrator under the properties tab. Only users with admin-level priveledges can run backup, unless they are specifically in the backup operators group under XP security. And, since you restored a previous back up, you may have unintentionally uninstalled the xp sp 3. Try this link to help you with this problem:. "http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/default.aspx/ "."THE EASIEST THING TO GET IN THIS WORLD IS A WRONG ANSWER!" "I "DO" WINDOWS...."

Thanks for the prompt reply.Ntbackup only freezes when using Shadow Copy. Backups start immediately and complete successfully without it.The restored backup was after the upgrades where the backup of C: drive with System State using Shadow Copy worked fine. I did the defrag since it was needed, but the problem still exists. I would like to fix this issue since Shadow Copy is necessary to backup System State.

I found the solution on another site. Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) service had to be stopped and DISABLED. Backup now works as before.