Server 2003 Backup Utility - Accessing backups without a 2k3 machine?

[Simmy]

A company I do work for have just had their server go down after a lighting storm It was sparking when they tried to restart it, so it sounds safe to say that it's pretty damaged!

One problem they've got is regarding their data backup. They used the built in server 2003 backup software and backed up onto an external USB Hard Drive. Is there a way to access these 2k3 backup images from a Windows XP Pro machine? Do Microsoft provide any software for this? If not, I'll have to cart my own 2003 machine down there in order to read the backups, which I'd rather not do.

 

[tartis]

I do not know about some kind of reader, but why not rebuild the server and restore the data. It should not take more than a day after building the server.

 

[14049752]

I've never tried it, but doesn't XP's built in Backup open them up? It's the same programs, so it might work.

If not, this might work for you if you have a Vista laptop: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7da725e2-8b69-4c65-afa3-2a53107d54a7&displaylang=en

 

[Simmy]

The replacement server from Dell will take 5-10 days to arrive and I need to make the data accessible before 9am tomorrow so they can continue to work.

I've got their data with me now and I'll give it a go in XP. They said they tried it in XP but couldn't get it to work. I'm guessing they simply tried to double click on the file.

 

[14049752]

Did XP work for you?

 

[Simmy]

Yep, the xp backup program worked perfectly. No idea what they were doing when they attempted it.

Thanks for the help all

 

[tartis]

It is nice to know that the XP Backup program did the trick. I guess that Microsoft did something right.