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ERROR: 'Backup Failed' appears immediately

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

Resolve the error 'Backup Failed' during backup process, where the error message appears immediately on Sage VIP Classic or Sage VIP Premier.

Cause

When the backup process fails immediately, it indicates technical or environmental issues affecting the process or backup destination. 

Resolution

Confirm the backup utility file exists

The backup utility uses PKZIPC.EXE. If it’s missing, the backup fails immediately.
To check the file:
  1. Right‑click the Sage VIP shortcut and select Open file location.
  2. Sort the folder by name.
  3. Look for PKZIPC.EXE.
    • If it’s missing, copy it from another system folder on the same version
    • If you can't find a file, request it from Sage Customer Support

Confirm the system location is valid

  1. Open the payroll application.
  2. On the Company Listing screen, select Sup Help.
  3. Review the details of the System is installed on location section.
    It must show a drive letter and contain no spaces in the folder name, for example V:\Sage_Payroll.
  4. If the folder doesn't reflect correctly:
    • Rename the folder if it contains spaces
    • Add the network drive as a trusted site

Check the application shortcut properties

  1. Right‑click the Sage VIP shortcut and select Properties.
  2. Open the Shortcut tab.
  3. Confirm the Target and Start in fields show a mapped drive letter, for example V: or Z:
  4. Confirm the command includes wrun32.exe -c cblconfi vipsal.acu.
  5. Update the details if they’re wrong and select Apply.

TIP:

You can create a new shortcut by running createshortcut.exe from the system folder.

Check shortcut compatibility settings

  1. Right‑click the shortcut and select Properties.
  2. Open the Compatibility tab.
  3. Deselect Run this program as an administrator if selected.

Confirm the mapped drive works in a network environment

  • Check that the system path recognises your mapped drive
  • Reconnect the drive if needed

Check the backup destination folder permissions

  1. Right‑click the destination folder and select Properties.
  2. Open the Security tab.
  3. Confirm your user name appears under Group or user names.
  4. Confirm you have Full Control permissions for the folder.

CAUTION:

Don’t save backups directly to the C:\ root. Choose another folder

 Check available disk space

  1. Open a payroll company.
  2. Select Utilities, then Display Disk Space.
  3. Select the drive you want to use.
  4. Review the available space. We recommend at least 20 GB.
    • File Explorer can also show available disk space
    • Network locations hide storage quotas, so ask your administrator if unsure

Check for pending Windows updates

  1. Press the Windows key and search for Windows Update.
  2. Select Check for updates and install outstanding updates.
  3. Restart your computer if needed.