BKF Corruption Due to Unexpected Deletion of Archive Bit

The backup utility (NTBackup.exe) of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 might unpredictably delete the archive bit information when user backs up data to the BKF file. Along with this, you may find that the “File is ready for archiving” check box isn’t checked when you right-click on the file and go to Properties-> Advanced.
After this problem, when you try to restore your critical data from backup using NTBackup.exe tool, you fail to do it. The backup file is unusable and you can not restore the stored data from it.

Grounds of this issue

This behavior of NTBackup.exe tool occurs if the “Verify data after backup completes” check box is selected under Options dialog box. It results into the deletion of Archive Bit and corrupts BKF file.

.    The Archive Bit information is used to verify which file has been backed up previously on Windows file system. This bit is set if the file is altered. The NTBackup.exe can clear this bit when it performs full backup.
No matter what the cause of this problem is, ultimately it would result into the loss of your precious data.

Resolution

To solve out this problem, Microsoft has released a hotfix. It can be downloaded from Microsoft’s website. It can prevent this problem from being occurred in future but can not repair the corrupted BKF file. To repair bkf File, you need to carry out BKF File Repair. It is possible using third party Microsoft Backup File Repair software known as ms backup Recovery tool. The BKF File Repair software are designed to methodically scan corrupted BKF file and extract each and every bit of data from it. These software are fully automated and allows you to have easy Microsoft Backup File Repair.

Stellar Phoenix BKF Recovery is the most influential and most productive BKF File Repair software that works in most of the BKF corruption scenarios. It is applicable to all BKF files created using Windows 2000, XP and 2003 backup tools. It is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista.

BKF Corruption Due to Invalid Data Stream

When you try to restore your important data from a Microsoft Windows backup file (BKF file) with the help of NTBackup.exe utility, you might encounter the below given error message:

“Unable to Restore”

After this error message, the NTBackup tool refuses to work and the restoration process gets halted.

Cause

This problem could take place if NTBackup.exe tool encounters any unknown data stream in the BKF file. An unknown data stream could be caused by the third party BKF file, which holds the data streams with Stream ID’s that aren’t known by NTBackup.exe utility. Instead of passing over the invalid streams and proceeding with restoration procedure, NTBackup.exe becomes incapable to restore the data and shows you the error message.This problem can also occur due to corruption to the BKF file because of invalid data streams. After corruption, NTBackup tool can not read the data from BKF file and thus could not restore it.

Resolution

To solve out this problem, you need to install the latest service pack of Microsoft Windows operating system version you have installed. This hotfix allows NTBackup to skip unknown data streams and thus it continues to restore the data.

Although, the hotfix is able to avoid the problem in future, but it can not repair the corrupted BKF file. To fix this problem, you need to carry out bkf repair.
BKF repair is feasible with the application of third party BKF File Repair tools, known as MS backup Recovery software. These Microsoft Backup File Repair software are capable of methodically scanning the corrupted BKF file and extracting all of the data from it.

Stellar Phoenix BKF Recovery software is the most comprehensive and commanding product with high scanning abilities. This software works in most of the BKF corruption scenarios and gives you fruitful BKF File Repair results. It works well with BKF files created by Windows 2000, XP, and 2003 NTBackup tool.