Yes, we are using automatic channels. I will definitely try specifying the channels explicitly. (doh!) Target database: 10.2.0.3 Catalog database: 10.2.0.4 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES release 4 Netbackup 6.0MP6 Thanks! chris From: Jared Still [mailto:jkstill@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 12:41 PM To: Stephens, Chris Cc: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: rman strangeness On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 8:19 AM, Stephens, Chris <chris_stephens@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: " What command causes this output?" Backup recovery area; ...a subsequent attempt to backup the recovery area succeeds far more often than not. Are you using automatic channels? If so, try specifying the channels explicitly in the script. I have had to do this on 3 different occasions, different versions of Oracle on Windows, to get backups to succeed. Most recently last week. That said, what are the versions for : Oracle: Platform: Veritas: (be sure to include the MP#) -- Jared Still Certifiable Oracle DBA and Part Time Perl Evangelist CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply.