#1 Global Leader in Data Resilience

Unable to back up disk X: due to invalid partition table

KB ID: 2148
Product: Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.0.2 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.2
Published: 2016-08-10
Last Modified: 2022-08-19
mailbox
Get weekly article updates
By subscribing, you are agreeing to have your personal information managed in accordance with the terms of Veeam's Privacy Notice.

Cheers for trusting us with the spot in your mailbox!

Now you’re less likely to miss what’s been brewing in our knowledge base with this weekly digest

error icon

Oops! Something went wrong.

Please, try again later.

Challenge

The backup job fails with the following error:

Unable to back up disk X: due to invalid partition table

Cause

The error is caused by a volume type with no partition table and is not supported by Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows.

In Windows Disk Management, the volume looks like a common MBR single partition. The Virtual Disk service, which Veeam Endpoint Backup uses to detect disks, generates the following messages that are then forwarded to the Veeam log. (log location: C:\ProgramData\Veeam\Backup\Endpoint\Backup_Job_*Machine name*\ Job.Backup_Job_Machine_name.Backup.log).
 

Info     Layout: MBR, disk signature: 1
Info     Partition 0, type 04 (FAT16), offset 0


The MBR partition table occupies sector 1 of the disk, so Partition 0 can start no earlier than sector 2. One sector equals 512 bytes for regular disks and 4096 bytes for 4K native hard disk drives. Meaning the offset of Partition 0 must be greater than 512 or 4096.

Solution

  1. Copy all data from the affected volume to another drive, because the workaround implies complete deletion of the volume in question
  2. Open disk management > right click on the volume in question> delete volume. 
  3. Then create a new volume and copy all the files back to it. 
  4. After that you should be able to run the backup job successfully.

More Information

The described volume configuration is generally referred to as a "superfloppy". You can find more information about it on this Microsoft resource.
To submit feedback regarding this article, please click this link: Send Article Feedback
To report a typo on this page, highlight the typo with your mouse and press CTRL + Enter.

Spelling error in text

This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply except as noted in our Privacy Policy.
Thank you!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been received and will be reviewed.

Oops! Something went wrong.

Please, try again later.

You have selected too large block!

Please try select less.

KB Feedback/Suggestion

This form is only for KB Feedback/Suggestions, if you need help with the software open a support case

By submitting, you are agreeing to have your personal information managed in accordance with the terms of Veeam's Privacy Notice.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply except as noted in our Privacy Policy.
Verify your email to continue your product download
We've sent a verification code to:
  • Incorrect verification code. Please try again.
An email with a verification code was just sent to
Didn't receive the code? Click to resend in sec
Didn't receive the code? Click to resend
Thank you!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been received and will be reviewed.

error icon

Oops! Something went wrong.

Please, try again later.