Published by Windows IT Pro
==== Commentary: Storage and Backup FAQs====
by John Savill, john@savilltech.com
Q. How can I mark my USB storage devices as read-only?
A. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes a registry subkey that lets you mark USB-based storage devices such as memory sticks as read-only devices. This is a useful security capability that can prevent users from copying data from their systems and taking that data offsite via a USB device. To enable the USB write protection, perform the following steps:
1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe).
2. Navigate to the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies subkey. (Create the StorageDevicePolicies subkey if it doesn't already exist.)
3. From the Edit menu, select New, DWORD Value.
4. Type the name WriteProtect and press Enter.
5. Double-click the new value and set it to 1. Click OK.
6. Close the registry editor.
7. Restart the computer.
To disable this change, you can either set WriteProtect to 0 or delete it.
Q. How can I easily construct the command-line syntax for a backup job in Windows XP and later?
A. Because several switches and commands are available when performing a backup from the command line, keeping track of your backup configuration can get complex. Fortunately, you can use the Backup Wizard to construct a dummy backup job that lets you see the equivalent command-line options. To do so, perform the following steps:
1. Start Windows Backup.
2. Select the Schedule Jobs tab.
3. Select a day, then click Add Job.
4. Click Next on the first screen of the Backup Wizard page that appears.
5. Select the files, folders, or drives that you want to back up, then click Next. (Depending on which options you select, you might have to navigate through additional screens to manually select the items you want to back up.)
6. Select the destination for the backup, then click Next.
7. Select the type of backup that you want to perform, then click Next.
8. Select any options you want performed during the backup (e.g., "Verify data after backup"), then click Next.
9. Select the backup overwrite options, then click Next.
10. Select when to run the backup, give it a job name, then click Next.
11. Enter the user account information necessary to perform the backup, then click OK.
12. Click Finish.
13. Windows Backup will create a new backup job. Right-click the new job to display the Properties dialog box, then click the Properties button. Select the Task tab to view the Ntbackup command that will be used to run the backup job. For example, the Backup Wizard constructed the following Ntbackup command for my job:
G:WINDOWSsystem32ntbackup.exe backup "@G:Documents and SettingssavijoLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftWindows NTNTBackupdataFull system normal backup.bks" /n "backup.bkf Created 13/11/2003 at 13:50" /d "Set created 13/11/2003 at 13:50" /v:no /r:no /rs:no /hc:off /m normal /j "Full system normal backup" /l:s /f "E:backup.bkf"
14. Click Delete to remove the backup job. Easy!
==== Windows Resources ====
The following Storage and related resources are brought to you by Windows IT Pro. For additional resources, visit
Optimize Disk-Based Backups for SMBs and Distributed Enterprises
Discover how combining disk-based backups with automated backup technology can deliver easy-to-manage backups, fast restores, and simplified creation and tracking of tape for offsite media rotation.
Instant Recovery and Data Protection for SQL Servers
Learn the data protection strategies you need to really protect your database, compare the costs, evaluate alternatives and more!
Go Beyond Backup and Data Replication
Discover the various categories of high availability and disaster recovery solutions available and the pros and cons of each.
Improve The Availability of Your Exchange Servers
Discover how storage and application management techniques are used to improve the resiliency and performance of your Exchange infrastructure.
Is Your Office Truly Fax Integrated?
Discover how to make your business more productive by integrating fax with Microsoft Office and Exchange/Outlook applications.
====================
==== Contact Us ====
About product news -- products@windowsitpro.com About your subscription -- storageupdate@windowsitpro.com About sponsoring UPDATE -- emedia_opps@windowsitpro.com
====================
This email newsletter is brought to you by Windows IT Pro, the leading publication for IT professionals deploying Windows and related technologies. Subscribe today!
View the Windows IT Pro Privacy policy at
Windows IT Pro is a division of Penton Media, Inc.
221 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538
Attention: Customer Service Department
Copyright 2005, Penton Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
