Database Backup failed on RPI MeteoBridge **solved**

[xray77]

Hello,
When I try to initiate a backup of the database on my MB RPI, I am first asked whether I really want to make a backup on the connected USB stick (complete new Intenso 64GB stick, FAT32). However, this error message then appears regularly in the system log:

backup (13.02.2024 16:02:52): error on mount: mounting /dev/sda1 on /tmp/backup failed: Invalid argument

How can I make a database backup? On my MB NANO-SD this works without any problems on the built-in micro SD card, why does it have to be done on a USB stick on the RPI-MeteoBridge?

[Mattk]

The intenso 64GB is straight out of the packet, default format as in you never specifically formatted it FAT32 either?

[xray77]

Hello Mattk,
Yes, it's straight out of the box, Windows 11 says the stick is FAT-EXT formatted, i.e. FAT-Extended. Win 11 does not even give me a choice to format to FAT32. What can i do now? Thanks for help!
regards
Michael

[Mattk]

I am not RPI savvy but sounds like the same backup approach as the MBPro, plug a brand new USB stick into the front port of a MBPro and backup writes to that. Yes NanoSD is different, writes to backup folder on MicroSD

Unsure if the 64GB is a factor or what the FAT-EXT is about, don't run Win11 either? Have never tried that size, typically run 16GB straight of of the packet on the MBpro

[xray77]

Ok, maybe I'll try to format the stick on the MAC to fat32 and maybe partition it to a 16GB partition and the rest to a second partition. I'll report back...

[Mattk]

FAT32 Yes, but would not create any Partitions

[xray77]

Hello,
I have now completely deleted the stick once under Windows 11 Disk Management (partition) and created a new 16GB partition with Fat32 (only here is this offered under Win11).
I have left the rest of the stick unformatted and unorganized.

Now the backup works! So you can still have a partition on the stick...


Thanks for your help, have a nice day
regards, Michael

[Gyvate]

under Windows FAT32 drives can only be formatted up to 32 GB.
However, in principle, up to 2 TB drives (partitions) can be formatted FAT32.
You need to use a different tool which allows FAT32 formatting for drives > 32 GB !
Then you can use the full capacity of a 64 GB USB device.
I use a 2 TB HDD formatted FAT32 for my MB backups.

[admin]

under Windows FAT32 drives can only be formatted up to 32 GB.
However, in principle, up to 2 TB drives (partitions) can be formatted FAT32.
You need to use a different tool which allows FAT32 formatting for drives > 32 GB !
Then you can use the full capacity of a 64 GB USB device.
I use a 2 TB HDD formatted FAT32 for my MB backups.

Thank you for this PRO hint! I didn't know that.

[Gyvate]

under Windows FAT32 drives can only be formatted up to 32 GB.
However, in principle, up to 2 TB drives (partitions) can be formatted FAT32.
You need to use a different tool which allows FAT32 formatting for drives > 32 GB !
Then you can use the full capacity of a 64 GB USB device.
I use a 2 TB HDD formatted FAT32 for my MB backups.

Thank you for this PRO hint! I didn't know that.

you are welcome -
the only other potential restriction of FAT32 is that the size of a single file must not exceed 4GB.
If that's the case, i.e. the MB database grows bigger than 4 GB, the device needs to be formatted with ext4 and is no longer (directly) accessible under Windows.
However, in the exported METEOBRIDGE share they become visible also under Windows and can be managed (e.g. copied, deleted, ...)