How to Resolve “The backup file is unusable...” BKF error message

To safeguard your data, Windows provide you with an in-built backup command known as NTBackup. The utility uses a proprietary BKF format to backup the data. The data can be backed up on any external storage media like, Floppy, CD, USB, and more. But, sometimes the BKF file cannot be used to restore the data due to BKF file corruption. This may happen due to improper system shutdown, virus attack, disk errors, etc. In such cases, the data can be restored from an alternative backup, if any. But, if there is no alternative backup available, then you need to use repair bkf file to resolve the problem.

For instance – At times, when you try to restore data or add data from a Microsoft Windows 2000 backup file, you encounter the below error message:

“[Unrecognized Media]
The backup file is unusable. You must erase it, or choose another file. “

You cannot restore the data from the BKF file after the occurrence of the above error message.

Cause:
The above error message occurs if the backup file is not in a valid Windows 2000 backup file format or is corrupted. If the backup file is incomplete or corrupted, then you cannot add data or restore any data from the BKF file.

Resolution:
You cannot use a BKF file to restore the data after its corruption. To ensure the integrity of data, you need to select the Verify Data After Backup advanced option after backing up your data. This makes sure that the backup process completes successfully and integrity of data is maintained. After the completion of the backup process, you can further refer to the backup report to check if the process has been completed successfully.

However, if the above resolution fails to resolve the issues, then you need to use an effective third-party application known as bkf repair application to restore your data. The BKF Repair tool employs sophisticated algorithms to completely repair the corrupted BKF file.

BKF File corruption due to its large size

In Windows, there is an in-built utility known as NTBackup that backs up the data. This utility also enables you to backup boot files, Exchange server data, IIS metabase, and more. The backed up data can be stored on any external media like CD, DVD, USB, and more. But sometimes, when this utility backs up more data than it can actually handle, it may corrupt. In other words, large size of the BKF file leads to its corruption. In such situations, you can restore the data through an alternative backup, if any. In case of unavailability of any alternative backup, you need to use Repair BKF File tool to repair the corrupt BKF file.

The BKF size generally depends upon the file system. In a FAT based file system, the BKF file size limit is about 4GB, whereas in case of NTFS file system, it is about the size of the partition on which it is stored.

For instance – In systems, where FAT file system is used, you backup more than 4GB of data using NTBackup utility. When you try to restore the data from the BKF file, you fail to do so and the BKF file gets corrupted.

Cause:
Clearly, the reason behind the corruption of BKF file is its large size. This happens when the size limit of the BKF file is exceeded.

Resolution:
NTBackup fails to recognize the BKF file, when it gets corrupted. In such situations, it becomes necessary to repair and restore the corrupted BKF file to retrieve the lost information. This can be done with the help of a third-party application known as bkf repair. These applications comprehensively fix and restore the corrupt BKF file. Employing highly influential scanning algorithms, these utilities enable you to retrieve all the inaccessible or damaged data from the BKF file efficiently. The bkf repair tool tools provides intuitive user-interface that enables you to use and understand these tools easily without having any prior technical knowledge.

Stellar Phoenix BKF Recovery is specially designed to repair the damaged or corrupt BKF file systematically to retrieve the inaccessible or lost data in almost all the corruption cases. The BKF Repair software safely restores the BKF file at the default location or at any desired location. It provides BKF recovery for files created with Backup Exec by VERITAS software The non-destructive tool is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000 based operating systems.

'The backed up data is corrupt or incomplete' Error Restoring from BKF File

NTBackup is a built-in Windows backup utility. It is a command line tool included in Windows NT and later versions including Windows 2000, XP and 2003. The files thus backed up can be stored to an external storage media, such as Zip drives, floppy disks and tape. NTBackup uses BKF as the primary file format to store the backed up data. On occasion, these files are found to be corrupt for various reasons and prevent you to restore the data. To isolate such issues, you should use another good data backup. But when no copy of data is available, you should repair bkf by using third-party tools.

To exemplify, suppose that Windows NTBackup tool to backup your data. You might come across the below error message:

WARNING: Portions of "file_name.bkf" cannot be read. The backed up data is corrupt or incomplete.
This file will not restore correctly.

This is the backup failure report that indicates that backup is unable to restore the desired data.

Cause

Such errors primarily occur if you are trying to restore data from a BKF file that is corrupted or damaged. This might occur due to several reasons, such as:

Unexpected shutdown
Backup interruption
Disk Errors

You are suggested to perform a sanity check of your backup file after each stage of taking backup. You can also use NTBackup Verification pass to accomplish the task.

Solution

To fix the existing issue, you should consider these methods to apply:

If another copy of data is available and is valid, use it to restore
Use a third-party tool that could use high-end algorithms to Repair BKF File and safely restore it

BKF repair applications are comprehensive products that are specifically designed to scan and examine a corrupted BKF file. These tools bkf repair by using powerful, yet safe, procedures that prove highly competent to fix all type of corruption errors with MS Backup file. Embedded with advanced file repair options, fully-featured interface and strong competency to repair damaged BKF file, these tools serve as suitable tools to use and implement.

BKF File is Failing to Open from an External Storage Media

NTBackup, the Windows backup utility, allows storing backup files on any external storage media including tapes, floppy disks etc. But these files (BKF files) are prone to corruption due to reasons, such as unexpected shutdown, virus infection, backup interruptions and others. To restore such files, you require another copy of data or a powerful product that could scan the corrupted BKF file to repair, called as bkf repair software.

For example, consider you use a Windows -based computer and backup some your important files and folders using NTBackup.exe utility. The BKF file so generated is stored on an external storage media. But when you try to restore data from the file, it fails to open.

Cause

Probable causes for failure of BKF file to open are:

The storage media, the BKF file is stored on, is corrupted from disk errors. Such errors prevent any file to open. Try to open other files to confirm the issue.
You are trying to open a corrupted or damaged BKF file

Solution

Following are the basic solutions that can help you recovering from such problems:

For disk errors, attach the disk to your Windows-based computer and run chkdsk to scan and repair it. Running chkdsk allows fixing issues with disk
If file not opening issues are specific to your BKF file, it might be damaged. You should restore the data from another copy, if available. In case, it is not present, use a commercial BKF Repair Tool to diagnose and repair the damaged file.

Note: It is recommended to use 'Verify data after backup' option when taking backup through NTBackup. It allows checking backup inconsistency or incompleteness issues after the backup process completes and thus, prevents any further file restoration issues.

BKF Repair software are high-end applications with suitable scanning algorithms to perform repair. Incorporated with self-descriptive interface, these tools prove to be easy-to-use tools providing rich set of features. bkf repair tool provide you comprehensive file repair results while ensuring complete data integrity of all file objects.

BKF 'Unable to Restore' Error

BKF is the proprietary file format used by Windows NTBAckup data backup utility. An NTBackup BKF file is prone to catch corruption due to unexpected shutdown, disk errors, backup interruptions, virus attack and several other ailments. A corrupted BKF file gives errors while you try to restore it, which renders your data inaccessible and unable to be restored. In such situations, you should try restoring your data from a healthy and valid second copy of data available. However, in case of unavailability of suitable backup, bkf repair utilities can help repairing the damaged NTBackup file and thus, save your work.

For instance, consider you use NTBackup.exe tool to perform backup of your important data in a .bkf file. You try to restore the file and receive the below error message:

“Unable to Restore”

You cannot access backed up data after encountering this error message.

Cause

A BKF file gives Unable to Restore error due to below possible reasons:

NTBackup.exe tool has encountered an unknown data stream, generally from a third-party BKF file. Such files contain NTBackup-unaware Stream ID's and prevent data restoration. NTBackup.exe doesn't skip the invalid data stream and declares the file incompetent to be restored.
NTBackup is trying to restore from a corrupted or damaged BKF file

Solution

You can solve the issue by implementing these measures:

Make sure you install all updates available for your Windows operating system
If BKF file appears to be corrupted, try restoring the data from another copy of backup. If it is not feasible, use a commercial bkf repair tool that could repair and restore the damaged NTBackup file effectively

BKF Repair software are powerful applications built with comprehensive, yet safe, technology to repair a damaged or corrupted BKF file. Such tools come with user-friendly interface and provide you advanced repair options. Incorporated with technically advanced file repair algorithms, these tools prove competent to repair corrupted BKF file in any instance of file corruption. These tools examine the damaged file safely and repair all parts of the file by employing secure procedures.

Stellar Phoenix BKF Recovery is a full-fledged repair utility that scans and repairs damaged BKF file in all type of corruption errors. It is a safe BKF Repair Tool for files created with Windows 2000, XP and 2003 backup utilities. It is a reliable and high-end tool that is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000 based systems.