You're unable to create a system image backup for your Server 2008 using Windows Server Backup due to the error "Volume larger than 2088958 megabytes cannot be protected". This is likely because your C: drive has a total capacity of 2.26 TB, which exceeds the 2 TB limit imposed by Windows Server Backup. To resolve this, you can try using the built-in Windows Backup feature, or third-party backup software that supports larger volumes, such as Acronis or Symantec. Alternatively, you can also try to shrink your C: drive to a smaller size, making it eligible for backup. However, be cautious when shrinking drives, as it can lead to data loss if not done correctly. It's recommended to explore alternative backup options first. If you're still unsure, feel free to ask for further assistance.
To resolve the "volume larger than 2TB cannot be protected" error, it's essential to understand how Windows Server Backup works. This error occurs because Windows Server Backup doesn't support backing up volumes larger than 2TB.
When creating a system backup for Server 2008 using Windows Server Backup, it creates a virtual hard disk (VHD) file for each volume included in the backup, but the size of a full volume backup is limited to 2TB, resulting in the error "volumes larger than 2TB cannot be protected".
Microsoft has introduced VHDX files in Windows Server 2012 that support up to 64TB, addressing the issue of full volume backups exceeding the 2TB limit. To resolve this, users can upgrade to Server 2012 or later versions, or opt for partial volume backups instead of full backups.
To fix the "Volume larger than 2088958 megabytes" error, you can try the following steps:
1. To initiate a backup in Windows Server Backup, open the application and click on either the "Backup Once" or "Backup Schedule" option. This will allow you to either perform a one-time backup or schedule regular backups, respectively.
2. Click "Next" to enter the "Select Backup Configuration" page.
3. Select "Custom" instead of Full server.
4. 1. Go to Disk Management in the Control Panel.
5. Click the inverted triangle and select where to save the backup, then click "Next".
6. In the confirmation screen, click "Backup" to initiate the backup process.
If you want to create a full backup to restore your computer in case of a system crash, consider using a reliable third-party backup software like Qiling Disk Master Server.
Qiling Disk Master Server is a Windows Server backup and restore program that can handle large volumes without size limits, unlike other versions.
This software offers advanced backup features, including system backup, disk backup, partition backup, and file backup, allowing users to backup whatever they need with precision.
The main features are listed below:
Qiling Disk Master Server provides an intuitive user-friendly interface, making it easy for anyone to use for backup and recovery jobs. To enjoy these features, simply download the software, then follow the detailed steps to create a full backup.
To create a full backup for a volume larger than 2TB, you'll need to use a command-line tool or a backup software that supports large volumes. The process typically involves creating a backup image of the entire volume, which can be done using tools like `dd` or `tar`.
1. Launch Qiling Disk Master Server and click "System Backup" under the "Backup" tab.
2. To proceed, click on the indicated location and select the appropriate path for your system drive. This will allow you to navigate through the file system and make the necessary changes.
The system and boot partitions are selected by default, but hidden boot partitions required for Windows boot are ignored, resulting in an unbootable computer.
3. To set up a backup scheme, click "Options", then "Schedule Backup", and finally "Backup Scheme". Configure the backup settings, and once done, click "Proceed" to initiate the process. Wait until the backup is 100% complete.
✎Tips:
• To avoid data loss and ensure regular backups, consider setting up daily, weekly, or monthly backup schedules for your system, disk, file, or partition. This way, you'll have a backup in place to fall back on in case of unexpected data loss or system crashes, and you'll be less likely to forget to create a backup in the first place.
• You can use Event-trigger or USB plug in to backup at a specific event or device.
• To reduce the backup size, consider using the "Normal" or "High" compression level, or opt for backing up only used sectors with the "intelligent sector" feature.
• If you want to password-To protect sensitive data, consider enabling encryption for backups, which can safeguard your data during the backup process.
• If your backup disk is running out of space, you can enable the backup scheme to prevent the "Windows Server backup disk full" error. This feature allows you to set a limit on the number of backups to keep, and automatically deletes the oldest backups when the limit is reached, ensuring your backup disk never runs out of space.
To resolve the "Volumes larger than 2088958 megabytes cannot be protected" error, you can upgrade to Windows Server 2012 or a newer version, which lifts the 2TB backup limitation to 16TB. Alternatively, you can create a partial volume backup instead of a full backup using Windows Server Backup.
However, partial backups are only useful when the database is in ARCHIVELOG mode. For a one-time solution, consider using a professional backup and restore software like Qiling Disk Master Server. For protecting unlimited servers, Qiling Disk Master TechPlus is a better option.